Ed

ition 59

T: 08000 807 809E: hello@bbpmedia.co.uk

www.bbpmedia.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS POST

bbpMedia

Are You Running An Efficient Fleet?

Running a fleet is not an easy task – keeping on top of the dailylogistics, managing drivers and battling the endless piles ofpaperwork and reports is a huge drain on a company’s timeand expense. There is an alternative however – turning to theexperts to place your fleet into their capable hands.

Leading fleet supplier, Pendragon Vehicle Management, findsthat time is one of the main reasons why businesses look tooutsource their fleet management, which also enables accessto expert tools and knowledge to improve efficiency throughoutthe business.

“Technology and access to data together make one of the mostimportant things clients need to run an efficient fleet. Tosupport this, we have recently implemented a brand new onlineweb portal, allowing our customers to have access to live datafeeds and fleet trends”, says Neal Francis, Divisional ManagingDirector of Pendragon Vehicle Management. “Allowing us tointegrate all our products and services into one place, clientscan get a full and bespoke view of their fleet, with the ability togenerate a multitude of customised reports, vehicle quotes andorders, as well as vehicle comparisons, whole life costs, drivertaxation, driver extranet sites and much more”.

As part of Europe’s largest automotive retailer, Pendragon PLC,Pendragon Vehicle Management certainly has the knowledgeand experience to enable fleets to meet their full potential,backed by the buying power of a company which servicesmore vehicles than any other provider.

Find out more about the best solutions for your fleet and catchup on the latest news and blogs by visitingwww.pendragonvehiclemanagement.co.uk and Twitter@PendragonVM, LinkedIn or YouTube, or call 01332 267318.

Pendragon Vehicle Management, Pendragon House, Sir Frank Whittle Road, Derby, DE21 4AZ

www.pendragonvehiclemanagement.co.uk

For more information call 01332 267318 or email info@pendragon.uk.com

@PendragonVM

INTELLIGENT FLEET SOLUTIONS FROM PENDRAGON VEHICLE MANAGEMENT

PART OF EUROPE’S LARGEST MOTOR COMPANY

• Daily and Flexi Hire• Risk Management• Accident Management

• Contract Hire• Fleet Management Solutions• Outsourced Fleet Administration

33761_HorseWorld 11/01/2016 16:34 Page 1

C O N T E N T SMidlands Business Awards 2016 4

The New Apprentice 5

South & City College Birmingham 6

TDM Wyre Academy 7

Ormerod Rutter 8

Positive Outcomes 9

Unity Trust Bank 10

Sources of Business Finance 11

1PM 12

Raven Mann & Co. 13

Roxbourne.com 14

Coface 15

EFM 16

ART Business Loans 17

Churchill Taxation 18

Business Taxation 19

Rooney Tax Services 20

AECOM 21

Johnson Fleming 22

The Auto Enrolment / Pension Freedoms Equation 23

Wealth Wizards 24

How secure is your data? 25

The Emerald Group 26

Technology Services Group 27

Kingspan 28

Choosing your warehouse 29

Amvar Handling Solutions 30

Rayflex Group 32

Vincent Interior Contracts 33

Walton & Allen 34

1,000s of Affordable New Homes 35

A-Plant 36

SIG 38

Garic 39

Steel Express 40

Frank Dudley 42

3D Tooling Technologies 44

Zimmer Group 46

The Year of The Robot 47

ABB Robotics UK 48

Troax UK 49

The Automated Technology Group 50

Choosing a Conference Venue 51

The Welcome Centre 52

Lea Marston Hotel 53

Purecraft Bar & Kitchen 54

Derby Brewing Company 56

Edgbaston Stadium 57

Poddle Pod 58

Welcome to Edition 59 of the BirminghamBusiness Post, the free magazine for theMidlands business community packed withnews, tips and stories from across the region.

In another busy edition we look further atWarehousing, consider the increasing roleplayed by Robots, and review some of thecurrent issues facing the Construction sector.We consider the changing profile ofApprentices, and the dilemmas facing businessowners when choosing an appropriateWorkplace Pension. We also continue ourregular features on Business Finance,introducing a section on Changes to BusinessTaxation, and continue our popular series onConferences, covering the Midlands BusinessAwards Finalists and offer suggestions onchoosing an appropriate venue.

Next time, more on Business Finance, NationalApprenticeship Week, Engineering, andConstruction

In the meantime take a look at our new website,bbpmedia.co.uk and keep sending yourbusiness news and stories to us atnewsdesk@bbpmedia.co.uk we will featureas many as we can.

BBP Media11 Canalside Office Complex,Lowesmoor Wharf,Worcester WR1 2RR

Tel: 08000 807 809Fax: 01905 726 467E: hello@bbpmedia.co.ukW: www.bbpmedia.co.uk

Publisher: PIL (Europe) LimitedPrint & Design: Heron Press UK

ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDReproduction in whole or part prohibited withoutpermission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictorialmedia for this publication are sent at owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PIL (Europe) Limited or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorialsubmissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope.

DISCLAIMERWhilst every effort has been made to ensure that advertsand articles appear correctly, PIL (Europe) Limited cannotaccept responsibility for any loss or damage causeddirectly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarilythose of its publisher or editor.

Birmingham Edition 59 Contents_Layout 1 22/01/2016 16:53 Page 1

The Midlands Business Awards arerecognised as one of the mostprestigious Business Awards in theMidlands Region and are organisedby Harj Sandher of UK SpecialEvents, the founder of the Awards.

The awards celebrate innovation andenterprise among businesses of allsizes and all sectors from across thewhole of the Midlands and will bepresented at a Gala Dinner, being heldin the elegant surroundings of the 4*Chesford Grange Hotel at Kenilworth inWarwickshire on Friday 26th February

2016 is a very special year for the team at Midlands BusinessAwards as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary and for themany companies recognised in previous years as they cometogether at this very special event, taking the opportunity torenew old contacts and make new ones.

The Finalists in each category are:

Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year

Peter Jarvis -Contechs Ltd - WarwickMick Parsons - NSL Automotive Components Ltd - Coventry

Zoe Evans - Xtreme Boot Camps -WorcesterIain Lister - Greenray Energy Solutions Limited - Lincoln

Gary Redman - Now Careers - BirminghamAaron Dicks - : Impression - Nottingham

Midlands Young Entrepreneur of the YearJames Evans - Xtreme Boot Camps -WorcesterLucky Nwosu - Franco Florenzi Ltd - DroitwichMatthew Lovett - WOW Media UK Ltd - Newark

Midlands Business Organisation of the YearPanther Warehousing - Northampton

NSL Automotive Components Ltd - CoventryUniversity of Birmingham Business Club - Birmingham

G&J Hamptons Ltd t/a Windows Plus - CoventryIn-Comm Training and Business Services - Walsall

Dragon Infrastructure Solutions - Northampton

Midlands Service Provider of the Year - (£1m+)CEWE Ltd - Warwick

The Heart of England Community Foundation - CoventryDee Set - Stoke on Trent

AndyLoos Limited - KidderminsterBDR Voice & Data Solutions - Stratford-upon-Avon

Midlands Service Provider of the Year (up to £1m)Escape Live - Birmingham

Digital Balance LTD - Stoke on TrentFifteen - Ilkeston

Grenfell James Associates Ltd - Stratford upon AvonSimkissGuy Recruitment Ltd - Birmingham

Professional Call Minders - Worcester

Midlands Innovation of the yearXibis Ltd - Leicester

BDA (Bespoke Distribution Aviation) – Baginton - CoventryAutomotive Brands/Steel Seal Ltd - Bidford-Upon-Avon

Warwick Music Group - CoventryGlide Utilities - Birmingham

Midlands University of the year (2 Categories – Innovative& Enterprise)

Coventry University - EnterpriseUniversity of Birmingham - Enterprise

Coventry University - InnovativeUniversity of Birmingham – Innovative

Midlands Manufacturer of the year - (2 Categories)Contechs Ltd - (1m+) - Warwick

Pascalle Ltd - (1m+) - Stoke on TrentRH Nuttall Limited - (1m+) – BirminghamAndel Plastics Ltd - (1m+) - Birmingham

Fitsco Industries Ltd (up to 1m) - Bridgnorth

Midlands Exporter of the year - (2 Categories)Greenray Energy Solutions Limited – (1m+) - Lincoln

Ultraseal International – (1m+) - CoventryKPM Marine Ltd – (1m+) - Birmingham

Franco Florenzi – (up to 1m) - DroitwichSurgins Surgical Limited – (up to 1M) – Solihull

Midlands Business Person of the yearPeter Jarvis - Contechs Ltd - Warwick

Gary Redman - Now Careers - BirminghamToni Kostanic - PingPong Digital - Birmingham

Arno Senah - Almond Care - NuneatonDebbie Edgar - Dragon Infrastructure Solutions – Northampton

Midlands Corporate Commitment to the CommunityAward

The Heart of England Community Foundation - CoventryLaSer UK - Solihull

University of Wolverhampton - WolverhamptonFARM SAFETY FOUNDATION - Stratford-upon-Avon

Bridge PR & Marketing - CoventryTRS Personnel Ltd - Telford

Midlands Business Awards 2016

Harj Sandher

To book your tickets: Main Event £95.00 each / Table of 10 - £900 Please email your request to: info@midlandsbusinessawards.com

Entries for the 2017 Awards will be open from 1st April 2016 – so make sure you give yourselves every chance and get your entries in early!

To enter please visit -

www.midlandsbusinessawards.com

MBA 2016_HorseWorld 22/01/2016 12:38 Page 1

4

The sky’s the limit when it comes to therange of training opportunities out thereand we’re not just looking at the bluecollar professions. Think of anapprentice and then banish all ideas of acallow youth in grubby overalls wieldinga spanner/screwdriver or similar.

While apprenticeships in such vital andskilled sectors as mechanics, engineeringand the like still exist and are, rightly, valued,today’s candidates will more often than notbe white, green, red, yellow or any colourcollar you’d care to mention such is thevariety out there.

The word apprentice conjures up a wholehost of images thanks to the variety ofprofessions represented. And no, we’re notincluding a pointing bearded man shouting“you’re hired” or “fired”.

Today there are nearly 300 types ofapprenticeships available, making forhundreds of jobs in nigh on 170 differentindustries.

Banking, accounting, IT, HR and insurance -they’ve all got it covered as, of course havethe aforementioned electrical andengineering along with plumbing, car andhairdressing (for example) sectors.

But what about a crime scene photographer,a diamond mounter, a play worker or fishhusbandry? There’s apprenticeships outthere for all of these roles, as there are forthose wishing to embark on a new career inthe marine industry: sea fishing, portoperations, rivers and inland waterways.

And while some may see an apprentice asa young person just setting out upon theirvery first career, it’s worth bearing in mindthat he/she can easily be someone olderwho has been promoted to a role thatrequires new skills and responsibilities or ischanging career.

Even Hollywood’s picking up on that vibe.Last year’s The Intern featured Robert deNiro playing a pensioner abandoningretirement to become a senior intern (the USequivalent) at an online fashion company.

No matter what the age, however, mixing on-the-job training with in-the-classroomlearning means apprentices are able to gainthe skills they need for their chosen career aswell as nationally recognised qualifications atthe end.

What’s more there’s Higher Apprenticeships,many of which offer training up to degreelevel while paying a salary, thus providing areal alternative to university. A temptingopportunity then to really move your careerforward without running up student debts.

There’s plenty more opportunity to come,especially as the government has declaredits commitment to expanding the number,range and quality of apprenticeships offeringtraining to degree level.

Last year it revealed that 1,000 businesseswere involved in designing the newapprenticeship standards and that inbetween 2013 and 2014 it had invested£1.5bn in apprenticeships which, throughout2014, were estimated to contribute £34billion to the UK economy.

Meanwhile, those businesses who hiredapprentices were happy to report anaverage increase in productivity of £214 aweek as well as a rise in the quality of theirproduct or service.

There’s other good news for employers whoenjoy the opportunity to nurture their owntalent, plan for the future and negate anyfuture skills gaps - 83% of those employingapprentices were said to rely on theirprogrammes to provide the skilled workersthat they needed for the future.

According to the National ApprenticeshipServices (NAS), 77% believedapprenticeships made their companies morecompetitive and that they could mould thecandidates to suit their own particularworking practices. Candidates, they felt, whowere eager, adaptable and motivated to do agood job, knowing that a promising careercould be ahead.

The NAS has also reported that manycompanies find it is more cost effective tointroduce apprenticeship schemes than hireskilled staff and further knock-on effects arelisted as positive contributions from otherstaff members who can see the investmentthe organisation is making in skills. That, inturn, increases employee retention.

So it’s a big thumbs-up all round for theapprentice (as opposed to an aggressivelypointing finger) and the government isn’tfinished yet.

It’s looking to introduce a total of three millionapprenticeship starts over the next five yearsand it’s this ambition that will be a key driverfor National Apprenticeship Week 2016,running from March 14-18.

Co-ordinated by the Skills Funding Agency, the initiative will include hundreds ofevents and activities across England toshowcase apprentices and apprenticeemployers and celebrate the positive impactthat both apprenticeships and traineeshipshave on individuals, businesses and thewider economy.

The NewApprentice

The apprentice is back. Big time. After appearing tofall out of favour for a while, the opportunity to earnwhile you learn is now more popular than ever.

National Apprenticeship Week14-18 March 2016

33808 1pg_Transport Warehousing 22/01/2016 12:15 Page 1

5

33649_HorseWorld 20/01/2016 10:38 Page 1

6

Developing IT and Digital Sector TalentTDM Wyre Academy, a specialisttraining provider delivering TechIndustry Gold apprenticeshipprogrammes, is working withemployers across the Midlandshelping to reduce the IT and digitalsector skills shortage.

With the escalating costs of universityeducation and a general growingacceptance that some traditionalacademia choices are not necessarily the best fit for everyone, the apprenticeship route is rapidly gaining popularity amongyoung people and their parents, and has already achievedstrong industry recognition.

TDM Wyre Academy believe it is important for all young peopleto be aware of the full range of opportunities open to themupon leaving school or college, which includes apprenticeshipprogrammes. It is also equally important that employersunderstand the benefits of apprenticeships if they are to fullybenefit from the the talent pool available in the local area.

Derrin Kent, managing director of TDM Wyre Academy said; “ITand Digital apprenticeships are ultimately supporting businessgrowth across the Midlands by developing young people from thelocal area, mentoring them at the outset of their careers, andproviding a platform to build strong career paths in the sector.TDM is employer focused, we partner closely with employers whowish to develop skills and talent in their businesses.”

Despite their increasing popularity, there still remains somemisconceptions about apprenticeships. TDM Wyre Academytackles some common myths:

Myth Number One: An apprenticeship is only for 16 - 18 year olds.Busted: An apprentice can be any age from 16 upwards. Anyoneof any age can be apprenticed and the opportunities are increasingfor all ages under the new Trailblazer Apprenticeships.

Myth Number Two: Apprenticeships are for people who arenot seeking higher level qualifications.

Busted: Increasing numbers of young people are now choosing anapprenticeship as they recognise that they can gain valuable realwork experiences, on the job learning and a wage, whilst gainingrecognised qualifications with real progression opportunities both interms of job prospects and level of qualifications.

TDM delivers Tech Industry Gold Advanced and Higher Level ITand Digital Marketing apprenticeship programmes - the HigherLevel is equivalent to a foundation degree.

Myth Number Three: An apprentice won’t be productive for ages.Busted: TDM’s thorough and robust filtering and selection processmeans we recruit talented and motivated individuals who are eagerto progress their careers. Apprentices are keen to get the depthand breadth of experience that a job role in the IT and Digital sectorcan offer. Training providers, particularly those accredited as TechIndustry Gold, work with employers to ensure quick return oninvestment for new recruits. Apprentices can fill roles in areasincluding software development, web design, technical support anddigital marketing.

Myth Number Four: Apprenticeships are only for new recruits.Busted: An apprenticeship is a learning and developmentopportunity for both new recruits and existing staff.Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to develop individualsfor the next stage in their career, and help organisationsprepare for the future by up-skilling or retraining staff.

Myth Number Five: We’ll have to wait until September for anapprentice to start.

Busted: TDM Wyre Academy is responsive to employers’ needsand businesses can start an apprenticeship programme at anypoint in the year at a time that suits the business’ requirements.

For further information about TDM Wyre Academy Tech IndustryGold IT and Digital Marketing Apprenticeships phone 0333 10 100 68 (local rate) or see wyreacademy.com orfollow @TDMwyreacademy

Photo: Tech Industry Gold IT Apprentices celebrating theirachievement with TDM Wyre Academy.

Celebrat ing Apprent ices ' Achievements

33710_HorseWorld 27/11/2015 11:06 Page 1

7

Recruiting for tomorrow: apprentices andthe future of accountancy

Following the Government’s pledge to create 3 millionapprenticeships in the UK by 2020, apprenticeships inWorcestershire have grown four-fold in recent years - with10,000 people participating in apprenticeship programmesacross the region.

Back in November, businesses, colleges and training providerscame together to celebrate the region’s future talent at theWorcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, where Ormerod RutterChartered Accountants were awarded the WorcestershireMedium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award 2015.

Ormerod Rutter’s apprenticeship programme was established in2012 following challenges with the recruitment market and askills shortage across the accountancy industry. Becoming anaccountant requires practical experience, commercialawareness and academic knowledge. However, industry focusis traditionally aligned to graduate development programmes,fast-tracking university graduates without much practicalexperience in the sector.

At Ormerod Rutter apprentices are able to earn while theylearn, developing the skills and experience they need tobecome an accountant with on the job training. Over two years,apprentices gain experience across all areas of accountancy,audit and tax, before specialising in year two. This allows theapprentices to actively apply their knowledge in the realbusiness world as they learn, creating the next generation ofcommercially savvy and highly skilled accountants.

The programme was developed by an enthusiastic accountsmanager Doug Marshall, who began his own career as anapprentice. Since it was established in 2012, the programmehas gone from strength to strength, with every successfulapprentice being offered a permanent role upon qualifying.

For Ormerod Rutter, the programme is a key part of thebusiness’s future strategy for developing talent. As gold leveltrainers for the ACCA accountancy training, Ormerod Rutterhave developed a strong apprenticeship programme whichincludes peer mentoring and actively encourages apprenticesto work in a client-facing environment to build the service skillsand experience needed to become a well-rounded accountant.As a larger accountancy practice, Ormerod Rutter can offerapprentices exposure to a wide variety of clients and areas ofaccountancy work, preparing them for a career in whicheverarea they choose to specialise.

Ormerod Rutter Apprentice Charlotte Beck has been activelyinvolved in helping promote this career route, and has returnedto her old school to give talks about her experience. Whentalking about her decision to pursue an apprenticeship, she said

“I had the choice of university or an apprenticeship, but Iquickly noticed that I didn’t feel the same buzz for universitythat my friends did. My apprenticeship training is on-site andlinks with the practical work I’m doing, which keeps memotivated. I’ve been able to develop lots of skills andexperience and I think it helps me stand out from the crowd.”

The training programme at Ormerod Rutter not only helps thebusiness plan for the future, but also contributes to the localcommunity too. They offer work experience and work closelywith local schools to provide an insight into accountancy andhelp students decide on a future career path.

HR & Operations Director Lorraine Frankland said “we believethat our current apprentices are excellent ambassadors for theprogramme and actively encourage them to engage with thelocal community to help bridge the skills gap. They feelpassionately about helping other young people explore theircareer options by sharing their own experience and providingvaluable insight into accountancy apprenticeships, and wesupport them to do so.

Our apprentices are essential to the future growth of ourbusiness. We aim to empower them with the knowledge, skillsand aspirations to make informed career decisions andprogress as successful accountants.”

Ormerod Rutter are now recruiting for apprentices in 2016. To find

out more or to apply, please visit www.ormerodrutter.co.uk or

email hr@ormerodrutter.co.uk

33771_HorseWorld 18/01/2016 13:23 Page 1

8

Growing Your Business Through Apprenticeships

Ryan Longmate, joint managing director of Positive Outcomes,a national training provider specialising in Government-fundedapprenticeships, provides his top tips on growing your businessthrough an apprenticeship.

A recent survey by merchant bank Close brothers showed that31% of UK SMEs felt their workforce lacked the skills neededfor their business.

A well-planned apprenticeship programme can help businessesbridge this skills gap, allowing them to train workers to fitspecific business requirements.

Employing an apprentice gives your business a young,motivated worker who is keen to learn from your existing teammembers. What they lack in specific skills in the early days, theymore than make up for in enthusiasm and very quickly you’ll findthat they are making a valuable difference to your business.

Apprenticeships have evolved so much over recent years andthe calibre of candidate choosing this path is fantastic, with theGovernment also offering apprenticeship grants. This can be anexcellent way to get your apprenticeship scheme off the ground.

Here are my top 3 tips on how to grow your businessthrough an apprenticeship:

1.) The ‘Grow Your Own’ Approach – Make sure you havea clear journey. This is a great way to make sure they developinto the employee you want them to be. Have the end in mind,and work backwards. What role do you want them doing whenthey complete their apprenticeship? What do they need fromyou to get there?

2.) Innovation sessions – Apprentices are full of ideas andenthusiasm. We all know for businesses to thrive, innovation iskey. Include your apprentices in brainstorm sessions, or ‘futureplans’ meetings. One good idea can transform a business. Sotap into this energy that your apprentice will bring.

3.) Productivity Reviews – Young adults are swift at tacklingtasks, particularly when it comes to all things digital, havingbeen brought up with it. Apprentices are quick and willinglearners. Often their first role, they don’t usually come with badhabits inherited from previous employment. So work on this. Ifthere are working processes that would benefit from speed,look to position your apprentices in these roles. And review.

For more information on Positive Outcomes visitwww.positiveoutcomes.org.uk or ring 0800 488 0488.

What’s the

for your business?

Leading training provider delivering Government Funded Training

Skills Funding Agency (SFA) direct contractor | One of the country’s largest training providersChairman is the former CEO of the SFA | | Ofsted Grade 2Investor in People | Established for almost 20 years | Part of a £360m investment company

Customer Services IT Sales Retail Estate Agency Warehousing & Storage Team Leading & Management Hospitality

#NextStep

visit: or call: 0800 488 0488

CEO Chris Longmate

33770_HorseWorld 18/01/2016 16:59 Page 1

9

Originally founded in 1984, Unity is a UK based bank with its headquarters and service centre based at Brindleyplace in Birmingham. Unity maintains a clear focus on its ‘double bottom line’ strategy. What that means in practice is that we are focused both on delivering a positive social impact and achieving sustainable returns for ourselves and our customers.

These principles are embedded in our purpose and are as important today as they were over 30 years ago when we were

founded. Unity achieves its growth by being socially focused, customer centred and commercially driven.

In the Charity Finance Banking Survey 2015, finance professionals placed us top in 8 out of 9 customer satisfaction categories. These ranged from ‘Relationship Managers’ to ‘Availability of Finance, ‘Fees and Charges’ and ‘Corporate and Social Responsibility’.

Today Unity is a profitable challenger bank with a social conscience, focused on businesses within our chosen markets

– our doors are firmly open for competitive lending and general banking services.

Why are we different? We genuinely put our customers first, with an approach led by experienced relationship managers who take the time to properly understand your organisation and your financial requirements.

In a banking industry dominated by global brands and legacy issues, Unity has remained true to its guiding principles, values and behaviours.

To ensure that we remain customer focused we invest in our staff so we all share in the success of the organisation. Unity Trust Bank holds Investors in People (IIP) Gold in recognition of the value we place on our staff training and development.

We have an Employee Share Ownership Plan whereby every member of staff with over a year’s service can own shares in the Bank. Therefore, we all have a shared goal in creating a successful future for the Bank.

Through our apprenticeship scheme we offer direct opportunities for young people to gain workplace experience and to develop essential skills.

We are a Living Wage Employer – the first Bank in the UK to receive this accreditation. This means that we pay all of our staff and contractors an independently set amount above the National Minimum Wage – the amount needed for an acceptable standard of living.

We are a Pioneer of the Fair Tax Mark. We are committed to responsible business practices and seek to be transparent in all that we do – matters of taxation are no different.

We aim to become one of the best companies to work for by creating an open and supportive culture and developing a talented and diverse workforce which works together to make Unity a success.

We aspire to make Unity a place where people:

Can really make a difference Feel confident and capable Feel engaged, supported

and committed Are encourage to be flexible

and innovative Feel valued and rewarded Work together and share knowledge Continually learn and develop Put our customers at the heart

of everything we do

Unity Trust Bank is a Bank with a difference

Unity Trust Bank plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Unity Trust Bank is entered in the Financial Services Register under number 204570. Registered Office: Nine Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HB. Registered in England and Wales no. 1713124.

0345 140 1000 us@unity.co.uk unity.co.uk @unitytrustbank

33730_HorseWorld 18/01/2016 13:30 Page 1

10

There are a numerous sources of

finance available to both new and

established businesses, but the

decision as to which source is most

appropriate for your needs requires

careful consideration.

Roughly speaking, funding breaks down

into two forms: debt and equity. You take

on debt when you borrow money from a

lender, and pay interest on the loan. You

will be required to repay the money with

interest over time. Or, you can take on an

equity investment - in which you sell a

portion of the company to an investor in

return for cash or something else of value.

Bank lending is still problematical for

many small or new businesses without a

track record; therefore the majority of new

businesses consider alternative sources

first. A recent survey reported that bank

loans comprised less than 15% of start-up

capital. This does not mean that you

should not look for a bank loan, just that it

is not the only source to consider.

Start-ups often find it easier to get money

from individuals or groups of individuals,

while companies which have a track

record of success are more apt to find an

audience with institutional lenders.

Your first source of capital will probably be

a loan from yourself. There are definite

advantages here, you

own the whole

company, control the

show, and stand

to reap the gains

should your

venture

become

valuable.

But there's a potential downside as well.

Even the best-researched and well-run

start-ups involve risk. We hear wonderful

tales of risk-takers who take out second

mortgages on their homes and borrow

from their retirement funds to launch

businesses that turn them into millionaires.

There are fewer stories in the news about

the far more common experience of the

many people who take great risks and fail,

losing their homes and savings in the

process!

Another form of personal debt is to use

your credit cards, this option is very

expensive and extremely risky, but with a

cool head and careful management can

be a useful short term solution.

Borrowing from your friends and family,

usually at low or no interest is often a

good way for new businesses to get

money. But you risk alienating your family

if the business falls on hard times and you

have trouble repaying the loan. Be sure

that you have a written agreement

regarding the amount borrowed, the

interest rate and how and when the loan

is to be repaid.

If you go to your bank for a business loan,

the bank will ask for security, usually

company or personal assets. Business loans

have far stricter requirements than consumer

loans. For example, if your business is

experiencing tough financial times,

your bank may ask you to

immediately pay off the full

amount of the loan, something

that is unlikely to happen with

a consumer loan.

Many small businesses

are funded through

personal loans or other

loans based on

personal assets.

Consumer loans, home equity

loans, second mortgages,

mortgage refinancing,

and personal loans - are easier to obtain

than business loans if you have a good

credit history.

Some banks don't mind if you take a

consumer loan and use the funds for

business purposes, others will refuse to

lend to you if you tell them you need the

money for business purposes. Keep in

mind that if you tell a banker a loan is for

personal use and you use it for business,

that lie constitutes fraud.

Commercial Finance companies are the

companies that make car loans. They take

on higher risk commercial loans than

banks and can handle commercial loans.

If your company is high-growth and will

continually need its loan ceiling raised;

your credit history is spotty; or your

company has a high debt-to-worth ratio

with a strong cash flow a Commercial

Finance company, may be a good bet, but

bear in mind, greater risk usually brings

higher costs. Rates and fees will be higher

than banks.

Venture capital is available to a wide range

of businesses at most stages of

development, they specialise in

companies that have a solid track record

and are expected to grow by at least 20%

a year. They also want to buy into the

company, not just make a loan. In addition

to firm ownership, venture capitalists will

also want management input in the form

of board seats or executive positions.

Funding is also available from your peers;

business angels, Crowd Funders and

Peer to Peer Lenders,

www.alternativebusinessfunding.co.uk.

lenders come from all walks of life and will

provide funds for viable businesses. We

will look at these options in more depth in

a future edition.

There are also a huge range of

government backed loans and grants,

www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-

finder, www.gov.uk/business-finance-

explained are useful resources.

Sources ofBusiness Finance

12118 1pg 2_Transport Warehousing 30/11/2014 12:55 Page 1

11

“Consequently we have engaged scholars and Shariah expertsto prepare our compliant documentation and who will continueto monitor it on a regular basis.”

The trail-blazing addition to 1PM’s portfolio is just another of themany reasons this company has proved to be so successful.

It prides itself on listening carefully to clients’ requirements so itcan tailor finance deals to their specific needs.

Specialising in providing small business loans and asset financebetween £1,000 and £50,000, the experienced 1PM team ishappy to do all the hard work on clients’ behalf.

Formed in 2000 by two former finance brokers, it was listed onAIM in 2006 and, following a management shuffle in 2010, itsmarket cap rocketed from £2m to £36m and it became a £1.6million profit maker.

All the more remarkable since many of its successes wereachieved in the face of one of the toughest recessions in livingmemory.

“In 2009 we had reduced funding and sales and witnessed highlevels of bad debt, so turning the things around were verychallenging,” Maria acknowledges.

“But the last 12 months alone have seen our sales double andwe are recruiting additional staff to meet the continued demandand, when all’s said and done our greatest asset is our staff.

“They have made 1PM the success it is today.”

To find out more about 1PM’s Shariah compliant leasing and itsother services go to www.1pm.co.uk Alternatively telephone01225 474 230 or email sales@1pm.co.uk

Pioneering asset financier 1pm has launched Shariahcompliant leasing for SMEs, one of the first in the UK

The ground-breaking service is in response to the company’sown research which revealed a potentially vast untappedmarket and demand for this type of leasing.

The award-winning asset finance and business loans specialist,which already has a significant Muslim customer base, wasalerted to the potential of Shariah compliant leasing through itsown social media activities.

It had already picked up on the growing interest in the Shariahmarkets and, prompted by the social media traffic, decided toinvestigate the size of the market within the UK and responseto the product.

“We found that many larger organisations are focused oninternational business coming into the UK, whereas BritishMuslim SMEs and entrepreneurs have mostly been overlooked,”says Managing Director Maria Lewis.

Because of its many successful working relationships withBritish Muslim clients 1PM, which picked up Small CapCompany of the Year and Small Cap Director of the Yearawards last year, also possesses valuable insight which has ledto the launch of the new service.

“We recognise the dilemma they face when they want to raisefunds for their business through Halal (permissible) meanswithout compromising on their religious values, and to avoidany Riba (interest),” explains Maria.

“We intend to facilitate that growing market with Shariahcompliant leasing that adheres to their principles.

Finance to helpyour business grow

33620 1pg_HorseWorld 06/10/2015 13:44 Page 1

12

33773_HorseWorld 06/01/2016 14:04 Page 1

13

Competing and GrowingWith all marketing you are competing for attention; so to makeit more effective - be more targeted. Focus on your product’smain points of interest and prioritise. Find a niche if possible.Regularly study your direct competition and look for ways toimprove your products and the way you display and conveyyour offerings.

You should have a marketing plan and someone in charge ofmarketing, if not a team.

As I said in article 1, success is continual growth. To grow youmust continually compete – so know your products, your market,your customers and your competition. Knowledge is power.

Acknowledge where you are lacking then hire talent. Success israrely accidental, you can’t wing it; and if you are doing OKdespite knowing your products, website, marketing, proceduresand team are not particularly good – imagine what can beachieved with incremental improvements in all aspects.

Alexander Bullivant is an e-commerce webmaster andManaging Partner of Roxbourne.comTel: 01543-415423, or email alex@roxbourne.com

The five keys to E-commerce marketingsuccessIn his last in a series of three articles aimed at business owner-managers, Alexander Bullivant of Lichfield-based e-commerceservices provider Roxbourne.com, gives some tips on how tocreate a successful e-commerce business. Parts 1 and 2 canbe found in editions 57 and 58.

1 Email

Because of email spam laws, you can’t expect to justbuy an enormous list of email addresses and promoteyour website that way. However, you’ll be collectingactual customer emails as time goes by; so startemailing them about new products and offers once youhave built up a decent base of such information.

2 Social Media

Depending on what you are selling, social media willeither work or not work for you. If you have excitingproducts with appealing imagery and potential forrepeat sales it will work better than if your productsare mundane, or are one off purchases.

We all use blue chip banks, spend billions at the bigsupermarkets and with energy companies; but dowe have an interest in following them on socialmedia? The most popular liked and followedaccounts on social media are not selling anythingapart from themselves, their opinions, their moviesor music.

3 Search Engine Optimisation

Although there are many search engines, Google isby far the most popular. Online search will be themost important means of driving visitors to yourwebsite. It will take time to build your positioning insearch results pages and there are many things thatneed to be done correctly and sufficiently on yourwebsite to impress Google.

This is a massive and very important subject, toobig to discuss in this article – however, at leastmake sure your prospective ecommerce team canprove a high-level of understanding of SEO and agreat track record in impressing Google Search withpast projects.

4 Online Advertising

While you are waiting for your natural online searchpositioning to improve you can supplement your effortswith online advertising in search pages and on socialmedia. Assuming your advertising campaigns areproperly set up and managed, you will typically see fastresults and get what you pay for.

5 Offline Advertising

For some businesses it can be relevant to advertiselocally or nationally in newspapers and magazines,sponsor events, and carry out leaflet drops. Youmay have a physical shop where you can alsopromote your website. Try to collect the emailaddress of all visitors.

There is so much choice in where to spend onmarketing, so be very careful not to take too manyunknown risks. Small scale testing first is vital.

33610 1pg_HorseWorld 20/01/2016 09:29 Page 1

14

Be mindfully optimistic

• The UK’s GDP growth in the third quarter was reviseddown to 0.4% (from 0.5%) by the Office for NationalStatistics3.

• The head of the IMF warned that “global growth will bedisappointing and uneven in 2016” because of factors suchas the prospect of rising interest rates in the US and theslowdown in China.

• Coface’s evaluation of sector risks in North America, Asiaand Western Europe showed a marked deteriorationcompared with 20144. One-third of the sectors are nowassessed as ‘high’ or ‘very high’ risk, with the Europeanmetals sector going through a particularly difficult time.

• Holistic – from MD to sales team, everyone should recognisethe danger of bad debt and understand their responsibility forpreventing it.

• Consistent – the process of credit checking and monitoringshould be routine before credit is extended. This step should notbe bypassed for valued or long-term customers and customers’payment behaviour should be regularly reviewed.

• Clear - Customers should be in no doubt that you take creditmanagement seriously. Insist on signed contracts; make clearthat interest will be charged on late payments; and chase upunpaid invoices promptly, rather than leave the impression thatthis isn’t a priority.

While Birmingham businesses can be positive about theirprospects in 2016, trading conditions are likely to becomemore challenging. To prosper, companies will need toensure that effective credit management is part of theirgrowth strategy.

British businesses are more upbeat about the coming year thantheir overseas counterparts. A major survey of 10,000 companiesaround the world1 found that nearly three-quarters of UKrespondents were optimistic about prospects for 2016, a largerproportion than any other European country outside Ireland.

Birmingham is already one of the most dynamic and enterprisingplaces in the UK, largely thanks to its manufacturing strength,especially in the automotive sector. And the region continues toattract investment from car manufacturers: for example, leadingChinese car manufacturer Changan has just announced it isestablishing an R & D division in Birmingham Business Park.Meanwhile, the Business Growth Fund said it had invested arecord £64.8 million in a diverse range of Midlands SMEs duringthe past year to help them expand2.

Continued low interest rates and low inflation should encouragefurther investment and growth but developments in December 2015showed that trading conditions are becoming more challenging:

Birmingham businesses should not allow these warnings topuncture their confidence or enthusiasm but the pursuit ofgrowth should be allied with a company-wide strategy formitigating trading risk. Unfortunately, credit management issometimes regarded as an outpost of the accountsdepartment. However, marginalising this important function is amistake which increases the chance of a ruinous bad debt.Credit management can best support sustainable businessgrowth when it is fully embedded in company culture.

To be truly effective, your credit management strategy should be:

As a credit insurer, Coface has years’ of experience in helpingour clients to trade safely and protecting them from the impact ofan unpaid debt but we also advocate self-help. In ourexperience, companies that recognise the value of creditmanagement are best-placed to maximise opportunities, achievesustainable growth and attract investment. These businesseshave every reason to be optimistic about the year ahead.

For further information about Coface, contact us on 01923 478111 or visit www.cofaceuk.com

References

1 British business is world leader in optimism, The Times, 4 January 2016

2 Record year in the Midlands for Business Growth Fund, BirminghamBusiness Post, 4 January 2016

http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/finance/record-year-midlands-business-growth-10671666

3 Quarterly National Accounts, Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2015, ONS, 23December 2015

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/naa2/quarterly-national-accounts/q3-2015/stb-qna-q3-2015.html

4 Sector assessments in the world, the persistence of high risks, Coface, 10December 2015

http://www.cofaceuk.com/News-Publications/News/Sector-assessments-in-the-world-the-persistence-of-high-risks

33674 AP_HorseWorld 20/01/2016 15:59 Page 1

15

A healthy cashflow is thelifeblood of SMEsMaintaining a steady cash flow is key to the survival ofany business, especially a small or medium sizedcompany. Even for a thriving business, cash flow issuescan cause problems for day to day operations, as well aslimiting growth.

Controlling your expenditure, turning your sales into cash andprotecting your credit record are all essentials to the flow ofcash through your business. So, taking time to plan yourfinancial needs and understand the issues that affect cash flowis the place to start.

Controlling ExpenditureGetting on top of your finances and tightening up on youroutgoings is a key step in managing your cash flow. Wherecan you afford to cut costs? How frequently do you paysuppliers, tax bills, staff or utilities? Can you pay by instalments to make terms more flexible or negotiate morefavourable deals?

Prompt settlement of your invoicesOne of the biggest threats to cash flow for SMEs is late payment and, despiteGovernment efforts to tackle the issue, it seems to be an increasing problem.Emma Jones, founder of businesssupport network Enterprise Nation,thinks more needs to be done: “Weneed to see a complete culture change.Paying small firms late needs to bemade socially unacceptable”.

Good credit management processeshelp - send out invoices promptly,ensure they are received and notdisputed before due date and chasebills immediately they become overdue.Make sure your suppliers know yourpayment terms from the outset – 30days is standard, but not essential - whywait that long?

Getting to know your customers’ payment dates will help youspot irregularities or delays in good time. Run credit checks onyour customers to make sure you’re not at risk of delayed orunpaid invoices. Invoice factoring and invoice discounting arealso options to ensure that your invoices are converted intotimely income.

Plan aheadKeep a cash flow forecast for the next six to 12 months to keeptrack of finances and avoid any shortfalls. This can be in theform of a simple spreadsheet listing all income and costs atleast on a monthly basis. Remember to take account ofseasonal variations, irregular items such as VAT quarters as wellas fixed and variable costs. Keep aware of customers andsuppliers who may be in trouble, this will help to anticipatepotential problems and minimise your exposure to financial loss.

Get some expert helpWhile healthy cash flow is integral to the survival of anybusiness, many business owners struggle with the time andresources to maintain a cash flow analysis. To help ownersaudit their current position, EFM has designed a CashflowHealthcheck –this quick and easy tool will give you a clearindication of the financial health of your business.

For more comprehensive advice, EFM’s experts offer animpartial and no commitment service. We can build an accuratecash flow model which will put you in control, alert you topotential issues and help you implement effective solutions.Contact us for a free one-hour consultation.

www.efm.uk.com

Tel: 01582 516300 or 0845 129 9900

Email: clientcare@efm.uk.com

33539 AP_BBP Template 20/01/2016 09:02 Page 1

16

ART Business Loans has seen total lending rise by 77%to over £3.1m in the year 2014/15 as it aims to keep pacewith demand from businesses whose banks either can’tsupport them at all, or have already offered as much asthey can. ART often lends alongside banks and otherproviders as part of a package of finance, which isbecoming an increasingly common way to supportbusiness needs.

Based at Innovation Birmingham Campus, ART Business Loanslends to all kinds of businesses for almost any business purpose –providing it’s legal! If your business is based in the West Midlands,you need between £10,000 and £150,000, and the banks can’thelp, then ART is for you. If you are looking for more than £150,000ART can contribute to a larger package of finance, lendingalongside other providers including the banks.

“We are a social enterprise with a mission to support job creationand preservation,” explains Steve Walker, Chief Executive of ARTBusiness Loans. “We aim to boost the local economy by enablingviable businesses which don’t meet the banks’ lending criteria, forwhatever reason, to access the finance they need to grow, diversify,improve efficiency, or survive short term challenges such as baddebts, lost customers and equipment breakdown. Our average loansize is £30,000.”

ART’s lending team is highly experienced and understands theneeds of businesses, as well as the characteristics of the area theyserve. They make a personal assessment of loan applications andoffer advice on access to finance, signposting applicants to othersources where appropriate.

A loan from ART can be made available quickly if necessaryand can be repaid early, without penalty. Many borrowers comeback for top up loans, or new loans at critical points in theirdevelopment over the years.

BUSINESS LOANS

ARTThe need for ART’s kind of finance is evidenced by itssignificant growth over the past few years. Established in 1997,the need for ART has never been greater according to Steve.“We are on target to lend over £3m again this year,” he says.“Whilst the banks remain the biggest lenders to businessesoverall, an increasing proportion fall outside of their criteria -and we are here for them.”

NEED BUSINESS FINANCE? TRYART BUSINESS LOANS

ART’s lending team (left to right): Andy King, GrahamDonaldson, Roz Haque, Martin Edmonds.

Top Tips for Borrowers

Having assessed thousands of loan applications, the ARTLending Team’s top three tops for borrowers are:

• Clearly show that your business has the ability to repay a loan

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of your market

• Be honest – treat your potential financier as a partner; their knowledge and perspective can be valuable to you.

StayDry Dave, James and Sue Perry with Warren Delo. Photographer: Marc Kirsten.

“Our seasonal pattern obviously makes banks uncomfortable with extending credit, so thank goodness organisations like ART

exist to support the SME sector.”

Michelle Henry. Photographer: Marc Kirsten.“ART was really easy to deal with, which was unexpected

when it seems to be so hard to even get an overdraft from a bank!”

Birgit Kehrer. Photographer: Emma Walker. “ART helped us to keep trading and find new markets

when public sector spending cuts hit our customer base.”

Read the full stories at www.artbusinessloans/beinspired

33790 AP_HorseWorld 20/01/2016 10:32 Page 1

17

Paying Dividends

For many years ownermanaged businesses havehad a fairly stable system oftaxation at shareholder level.Most business owners paythemselves a reasonable level of salary but they alsohave the option of extractingprofits from the company by way of dividends whichreflects the fact that they do not have the same level of financial stability as an employee.

Due to the way that dividends are taxed on individuals this hasresulted in a tax efficient way of profit extraction for the majorityof owner managed businesses.

Under the rules that continue until 5 April 2016, the companypaid corporation tax at 20% on the profits of the company, butthere was no national insurance (either employer or employee)on dividends paid out of those profits. Furthermore,the individual receiving the dividend wasdeemed to have a tax credit whichcovered any basic rate liability. A higher rate taxpayer would pay aneffective tax rate of 25% and anadditional rate taxpayer would pay taxat 30.6% on the dividends paid.

However, as part of the new measuresintroduced in the Summer Budget theserules are set to change from 6 April 2016.

Under the new rules every person willhave a £5,000 dividend allowance whichwill not be taxed. Dividends paid inexcess of £5,000 will be taxed at 7.5%for basic rate taxpayers, 32.5% forhigher rate taxpayers and 38.1% foradditional rate taxpayers.

This could result in a significant increase inthe tax liability for the shareholder of an ownermanaged business. Particularly badly affected will be those companies which have a number of family members as shareholders.

It is clear from the changes announced that most, if not all,owner managed business shareholders will be worse off underthe proposed rules. It is therefore imperative that potentialplanning ideas are considered as early as possible during 2016.

These are some of the ideas that might be explored:

• Bringing forward dividend payments into the 2015/16 tax yearis one such idea. However, this needs to be considered in theround as although the tax liability might be lower overall, thisroute also brings forward the payment date for the tax bill.

Anyone pursuing this option also needs to ensure that thecorrect paperwork is put into place to evidence that thedividends have been paid during the 2015/16 tax year.

• Ensuring that the £5,000 dividend allowance is properlyutilised by all shareholders. This is particularly useful wherethere are a number of family members who own shares.

• Consider making pension contributions to reduce the taxburden. This can be more attractive to shareholders now giventhe new flexible pension regime.

• Consider whether utilising a director’sloan account is appropriate as analternative method of profit extraction.This route will result in a 25%corporation tax charge in the companyplus a benefit in kind on the directorbased on the official rate of interest. Thisoption is not appropriate for everyone andshould be considered on individual merits.

The overarching message is that eachtaxpayer needs to review their personalcircumstances and take appropriate advice.

From April 2016, the company will no longerbe as tax efficient for owner-managedbusinesses as previously. However, there aremany other reasons that individuals choose to

incorporate their businesses, including benefiting from thecorporate veil, credibility of running the business through acompany or the ability to incentivise staff more efficiently througha corporate structure.

It is therefore likely that, despite the changes, the corporatestructure will continue as a popular choice for business.Although the impact of the changes will remain to be seen.

Stephanie Churchill - Director

33744_HorseWorld 07/01/2016 13:42 Page 1

18

Despite the Office for TaxSimplification being given furtherpowers in last year’s budget to slashred tape, the new tax year kicks off on6th April with yet another round ofchanges to taxes and benefits.

Cuts in Corporation Tax, reducing the rate to19pc in 2017 and 18pc in 2020, resulting inthe lowest rates in the G20, are welcomedby larger firms but for start-ups and manyUK small firms, which only generate smallprofits, the benefits are marginal.

For these smaller businesses the cuts incorporation tax are unlikely to off-set theincrease in the minimum wage due to beincreased to £7.20 in April 2016, rising to£9 by 2020. For small firms or forbusinesses employing a significantnumber of staff on the minimum wagehow much they benefit will depend onhow many low-paid employees they haveand their level of profitability.

Smaller and Start-up businesses are likely to feel the change to the minimumwage most keenly, although there aresome new measures from theGovernment to reduce the impact on themost vulnerable businesses.

A 50% increase to the national insuranceemployment allowance from £2,000 to£3,000, to help small business owners toreduce their wage bill may help to offsetthe cost, and hopefully also encourage thealmost 5m micro businesses in the UK totake on their first, or more members of staff.

The Employment Allowance will only allowemployers (who are currently paying theminimum wage) to offset the cost of theLiving Wage increases by up to 2,000hours. After that, the business will be anet loser unless it is profitable enough tobenefit from the reduction in the rate ofcorporation tax.

Other tax reliefs can result in valuablecash sums for businesses. Thosebusinesses investing in improvements totheir premises, plant, fleet and equipmentcan benefit from Capital Allowances if theimprovements are for business purposes,even if only partly, the allowances areclaimed against Corporation Tax.

The Annual Investment Allowance whichallows small-to-medium-sized firms tomake tax-deductible investments inequipment, plant, and machinery,encouraging businesses to invest in future productivity and growth has beenreduced from £500,000 to £200,000 from January 1, 2016.

However, in November2015, legislation was

introduced to close aloophole in these valuable

allowances to preventcompanies using lease

arrangements to lower the disposalvalue of plant and machinery

artificially. Payments received for takingresponsibility for tax deductible lease

related payments will be treated as taxableincome to counteract two situations.

The first is where a company uses anartificially low disposal value for capitalallowances and a tax advantage is one ofthe main purposes of the arrangements.That value will not be accepted. Thesecond is where consideration is receivedin a non-taxable form in return foragreeing to take over tax deductible leasepayments. The measures now bring thereceipts into tax as income.

As part of a programme to fosterinnovation amongst UK businesses aproportion of any investment in newtechnology or processes may also beclaimable against Corporation Tax in theform of R&D Tax Credits, it is well worthspeaking to a specialist advisor about thisas many generalist accountants don’thave the necessary in-depth knowledge ofthis area.

Small firms in the so-called NorthernPowerhouse, which comprises the majorcities of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds andSheffield, will benefit from the newenterprise zones, where small firms payreduced taxes and receive businesssupport, which are being created.

In other changes to taxation on dividends,from April 2016, the Government willremove the Dividend Tax Credit andreplace it with a new tax-free DividendAllowance of £5,000 a year for alltaxpayers Some business owners maypay less tax as a result, but top-rate taxpayers, who currently have the option ofgrowing their business and payingthemselves dividend income at a 30.6pctax rate will find that the top rate of tax ondividend income will rise to 38pc.Thiscould encourage small business ownersto sell up, and take advantage of themuch lower capital gains tax, which is setto remain at 28pc.

More changes are in the pipeline withQuarterly Reporting predicted for 2020which will further increase the burden onsmall firms, it is to be hoped that whenthe Office of Tax Simplification reportsprior to the 2016 Budget, that some majorchanges will be announced to allowbusiness to get on with business andease their administrative work load.

Business Taxation

33810 1pg_Transport Warehousing 22/01/2016 12:40 Page 1

19

Trouble with the Tax Man?Rooney Tax Services can help.

Founder, Gary Rooney, has over 30 years ofhigh level tax investigations experience. After15 years with H M Revenue & Customs,working on major investigations, he movedon to work with high net worth individualsand businesses with KPMG and later PWC,so he is well qualified and very experiencedin dealing with the Revenue, and says, “If youare under any form of HMRC investigation,we can help you.”

HMRC’s information powers and punishingpenalty regime has given HMRC an even greaterability to obtain information about you and yourbusiness and then heavily penalise anythingother than a genuine mistake. It can be veryworrying to be the subject of an investigation,whether you are a private individual, sole trader,partnership or a limited company and thedistraction in dealing with HMRC can besurprisingly damaging your business.

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, even the Revenue, so you need tocheck any allegations or claims made by HMRC; this is where Rooney TaxServices can step in and then, if the error is not HMRC’s, help you to rectifymatters quickly and in the most appropriate way.

Gary explained, “There are many phrases for a tax investigation, the terms‘enquiry’ and ‘checking the return’ are just two but whatever term is used it is anobtrusive and demanding challenge to your tax returns and accounts. It is astressful and potentially costly exercise and one that can have a major impact onyou, your family and your business. It is a truly daunting prospect.”

Highly professional, they will first seek to establish the true position and thenmanage the investigation for you no matter what it may involve. From experiencethey understand what HMRC are looking for and will expect, and know what

HMRC can and cannot do. They willmanage the whole process to minimise thedisruption and financial risks.

Gary explained, “We have considerableexperience in dealing with these mattersand all of it will be working for you. We canmanage the investigation on your behalf;reducing the need for you to be interviewedby HMRC officers as much as possible andcontrol the flow of correspondence,information and documents. This will leaveyou free to concentrate on your business,your work and your family.”

The team are able to mitigate the financialpenalties that HMRC will always seek toimpose by properly managing the process,or, where applicable, through the timely useof specific disclosure campaigns or throughmaking voluntary disclosures whereproblems surface and need to be resolvedwith HMRC.

In more serious cases the threat of potentialcriminal prosecution can be avoided by thetimely use of HMRC’s ContractualDisclosure Facility; particularly where largersums of taxes are involved.

Rooney Tax Services have the specialistknowledge and experience to achieve thebest possible outcome on your behalf asquickly as possible; negotiating with HMRCfor the best resolution, working alongsideyour existing advisers leaving you both freeto deal with everything else so you canmove on at the end of our involvement.

For a confidential, no commitmentdiscussion about any concerns involvingyour tax affairs please call on 01217 493 126 or visit the web sitewww.rooneytax.com for moreinformation or our e-mail contact details.

Gary Rooney - Director

33754_HorseWorld 07/01/2016 15:11 Page 1

20

AECOM’s Fiscal Incentivesteam have a clear message –“we save our clients money”.

The team is formed of highlyexperienced and dedicatedasset taxation specialists with awide range of professionalqualifications from surveyingand engineering through toinvestment, taxation, accountingand sustainability.

They assist clients in reducing their tax liabilities by identifyingassets and investments that attract tax relief. In some casesmore than half of the project expenditure (including professionalfees) will be eligible for relief against taxable profits.

This year alone the team identified over £1 billion of capitalallowances, creating a direct financial saving for their clients ofover £200 million.

Particular services include:

• Capital allowances consulting

• Land remediation relief consulting

• Research and development relief consulting

• Property-related VAT and International Customs Duty mitigation

They undertake due diligence on potential acquisitions anddisposals, providing advice on the availability of relief andproviding the necessary contractual clauses and documentationto secure all available benefit.

Capital expenditure can be analysed on new builds, fit outs,conversions and refurbishments, with works in existingproperties often providing the most lucrative returns in terms oftax relief.

Fiscal incentives are increasingly being used to support thesustainability agenda in buildings and the firm’s earlyinvolvement provides the best opportunity to implement aneffective strategy focussing on green incentives via thespecification of qualifying equipment and installations.

Enhanced Capital Allowancesprovide 100% relief or a 19%payable credit (subject torestrictions) for expenditure onprescribed energy or water-saving technologies. Theseare available in the year thatthe expenditure is incurred,allowing for a full andimmediate benefit.

Whilst AECOM’s FiscalIncentives team can add valueat any stage of a project ortransaction, their earlyinvolvement can have themost impact. Recent changes

to the capital allowancerules mean that carefulplanning is required whenconsidering a propertypurchase or disposal toensure that the benefit ispreserved. Interactionduring the preparation ofthe bid or tenderingprocess also allowsAECOM to proactivelymanage the tax reliefprocess and enables theimplementation of thebest methods forenhancing the claims andtax relief available.

Their involvement increases the opportunity to create additionalproject cash flow through tax relief by:

– Identifying project-specific tax and fiscal incentives.

– Forecasting the flow of available reliefs to assist in the reporting process.

– Maximising recovery through enhanced capital allowances and other high-yielding reliefs.

– Advising on “green” initiatives, including renewable technologies.

AECOM works with a wide range of clients across all sectors,ranging from small business and private investors tointernational and world renowned organisations, with a particularfocus on the property sector, working with such high profilebusinesses as British Land, Prologis, Gazeley and Hammerson.

The firm’s network of offices throughout the United Kingdomenables them to provide specialist advice to their clientslocally.The firm’s international capability and knowledge of taxdepreciation regimes worldwide also enables them to providelocal solutions globally. They have a history of operating in manyinternational jurisdictions such as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia,South Africa, Russia, Scandinavia, India, Poland and Spain. Theywork with local tax agents to provide enhanced segregation ofproject expenditure for tax depreciation purposes.

For more information about the firm and its wide range ofservices, please visit the web site www.aecom.com

Tim Jackson leads the AECOM Fiscal Incentives team and canbe contacted on: 020 70617167 / 07872912586timothy.jackson3@aecom.com

Tim Jackson - Director

33713_HorseWorld 10/12/2015 08:50 Page 1

21

within two months of your re-enrolment date. If you don’t haveany eligible staff, your re-declaration deadline date will be theday before the third anniversary of your original declaration ofcompliance.

“Ensure that your staff is put into an auto-enrolment pensionscheme within six weeks of your re-enrolment date. You mustthen write to them within this six-week window. You only needto write to the staff affected by re-enrolment.

“If you have eligible staff, you’ll need to follow the same stepsas when you first auto-enrolled them. The pension scheme youuse must meet the auto-enrolment criteria: it’s likely that you’llalready have a suitable scheme in place if you automaticallyenrolled any staff at your staging date.

“Once you’ve automatically re-enrolled eligible staff, they remainin your scheme unless they to opt-out or cease membership.There is a one-month window in which staff can opt-out. If theychoose to do so, you’ll need to process their opt-out noticesand keep records accordingly.

“Ultimately, my advice is to not leave things to the last minuteand risk non-compliance.”

Tasha Hartley is a qualified consultant for JohnsonFleming, leading workplace pensions and

employee benefits specialist. For moreinformation please contact us on

0121 571 223 or emailonline@johnsonfleming.com

Automatic Re-enrolment: How it works

Auto re-enrolment is a sizeable task, requiring proper planning.Consultant Tasha Hartley explains how businesses approachingtheir re-enrolment date need to prepare.

“You’ll have three months either side of the third anniversary ofyour staging date to choose your re-enrolment date. This givesyou a six-month window and you must have the same re-enrolment date for all staff you have to enroll.

“You’ll need to undertake an assessment of your staff todetermine which employees you must re-enroll. This applies toeligible staff that did the following, more than 12 months beforeyour chosen re-enrolment date:

• Opted out of your auto-enrolment pension scheme

• Ceased active membership of your pension scheme after the end of the opt-out period

• Stayed in your pension scheme but have chosen to reducethe level of pension contributions to below the minimum leveland who meet the age and earnings criteria.

“If any of these happen within 12 months of your chosen re-enrolment date, you may decide to automatically enroll theeligible staff, but you’re not required to do so.

“If you don’t have any eligible staff to re-enroll, you’ll still needto re-declare your compliance. Your deadline to re-declare yourcompliance will depend on whether or not you have any eligiblestaff to re-enroll.

“If you have staff to automatically re-enroll, you must complete there-declaration of compliance

online@johnsonfleming.com 01527 571300@JohnsonFleming

33707_HorseWorld 16/11/2015 15:02 Page 1

22

Many smaller businesses are due tostage over the next few months butthe choice of a suitable fund has beenfurther complicated by lack of choice,as many of the larger companiesclose their funds to new applicants,while the new pension freedoms haveadded an extra dimension of difficulty.

Many businesses have successfullynavigated the staging of their autoenrolment, but further changes tolegislation occurred in 2015 as newpension freedoms came into effect. Theeventual outcome of these changes will bethat more people will be not only savingfor their retirement but having the freedomto use those savings as they see fit.

There has been a great deal written aboutwhat these freedoms will mean foremployees but, from an employer’s pointview, allowing for the effect of thesechanges will be crucial in retaining andmotivating staff.

It will be important to ensure your schemeis flexible enough to allow for these futurechanges.

Those over 55 now have the option towithdraw all their pension pot at once, totake several smaller withdrawals, or leave it invested – potentially switchingbetween saving and drawing downincome over time.

This is great news for employees who canlook forward to a retirement that suitstheir individual life style, but it places anextra burden on employees to ensure thatthe pension they provide their staff is notonly compliant and fit for purpose but also

that their employees are equipped withthe knowledge to make informed choicesabout its disposal.

Previously although pension holders coulddraw down just 25% of their pension taxfree, the rest had to be used as anannuity to provide an income in later life,but now that this restriction has beenlifted sales have soared.

ABI figures show that the total value ofdrawdown products sold in the secondquarter of last year was a total of £1.3bn,compared with £670m in the same periodthe previous year and £425m the yearbefore that, according to figures from theAssociation of British Insurers. Thenumber of policies sold in the secondquarter was 19,600 last year, comparedwith a total of 9,500 the previous year and5,500 the year before. Not all drawdownproviders are members of the ABI, soactual figures for the whole market arebound to be higher still.

At the same time the number of annuitiessold, as opposed to their value, has alsofallen steeply. A total of 17,800 were soldbetween April and June last year,compared with 46,400 in the same periodthe previous year and 90,000 in thesecond quarter of 2013.

It seems to be more affluent savers whoare sticking with annuities. The averageannuity bought in the second quarter ofthis year was worth £55,600, comparedwith £38,600 last year and £34,500 in2013.

While much was talked about recklessspending on the part of pensioners, these

fears do not appear to have been realised,a total of only £1.3bn was paid in the firstthree months of the freedoms: an averagesum of just under £15,000. As for thepredicted boom in Buy-to-Let a pollcarried out by Prudential found thatexpectations of a boom as a result of thefreedoms look unlikely to be realised.Although 37pc of home owners aged over 55 said that they planned to buy atleast one more property, only 14pc saidtheir plans were a result of the newpension freedoms, and only 18pc ofprospective buyers said they wereconsidering anything other than a home in which to live.

It is important, therefore, that whensetting up your staff pension provisionunder the obligations of the AutoEnrolment legislation that you take thenew freedoms into account, and ensurethat your new company pension schemeallows your employees access to all thenew pension freedoms. Currently themajority of work place pension schemesdo not.

Successfully answering these questions could play a vital role inretaining your staff.

While it might be tempting to do theminimum when establishing youremployee benefit scheme, it be difficult,and the value in doing so questionablefrom a cost/benefit perspective.

Since pension contributions are likely torepresent one of the biggest items ofexpenditure for an employer they shouldensure that the benefit works for them.

The Auto Enrolment /Pension FreedomsEquation

www.workplacepensions.gov.uk

33815 1pg v2_Carford Group 22/01/2016 11:37 Page 1

23

Pension advice at the click of amouse, if not at the wave of a wand

Wealth Wizards, a rapidly-growing technology company basedin Leamington Spa, is breaking new ground by offeringregulated online pension advice.

This new online advice model is proving so popular that itspotential has been recognised by retirement specialist LV=which took a majority stake in Wealth Wizards in August 2015.

Major changes to the UK pension system are underway. Inparticular, the introduction of auto-enrolment and the newpension freedoms mean it’s important that employees makedecisions about their workplace pensions that are right for them.

Wealth Wizards points out that now more than ever there is aneed for expert advice to make the most of pension savingsand get the best retirement outcome.

However, despite a major publicity campaign from HMgovernment, many organisations report that employees are stillnot engaging with workplace pensions, perhaps waiting fortheir employer to advise them, or maybe simply seeing thewhole topic as too complicated.

“It’s not really a surprise,” says Ben Webster, ManagingDirector of Employer Solutions at Wealth Wizards. “Employeesare faced with bewildering choice and complexity when itcomes to pensions and we don’t expect anyone, except asmall minority, to be in a position to understand theirinvestments or make informed choices without advice.”

He adds: “For example, many employers select to enrolemployees into default funds. Whilst there’s nothing wrong withthese, they are designed for the average employee. But who isreally average?”

Clearly there is an urgent need for quality pension advice, yetfew employers are currently providing their staff with access toit. The main barrier is the cost and availability of face-to-faceadvice, which has to be paid for up-front.

Wealth Wizards has pioneered a completely new approach.Their online services deliver expert advice in the workplace orat home, cost effectively and inclusively for all members of staff.

The advice is delivered through simple online apps which usethe latest technology. Once registered, employees answer astandard set of questions, which typically takes 10-15 minutes.In most cases a full advice report, including a recommendationon how to invest their pension, is instantly available.

The benefits to the employer of offering such services are clear.By helping employees take control of their pension finances, theyare sending a message that they value their staff. This is key toemployee engagement, motivation and retention, all of which arelinked to increased productivity and bottom line benefits.

The real winners, however, are the employees, who stand togain significantly from having access to these expert resources.Providing them with independent advice means they are nolonger faced with making difficult choices they feel confusedabout or simply ill equipped to make. The advice helps makethe most of their pension investment and prevents them fromlanguishing in default funds which may not be the best choicefor them personally.

Find out more at www.wealthwizards.com

33783_HorseWorld 07/01/2016 15:28 Page 1

24

Security of data is the most often citedconcern as companies upgrade theirsystems to take advantage of theexpanded facilities and conveniencethat cloud storage provides.

Online backup (also known as‘cloud backup’) is proving to be convenient,secure and cost effective. You may back upany data from one or two documents orphotos to the entire contents of yourcomputer, with virtually no limitation onstorage space. Some providers supplylimited storage free of charge, but generallythe cost of backups increases proportionallyto the amount of data involved. 

Providers of cloud backup include internetservice providers (ISPs), internet securitysoftware vendors and companies such asApple with the iCloud – and specialist firms.

But, however marvellous the Cloud is, andit is, secure storage should not beconsidered a complete solution to yourcompany’s data security and cyberprotection is about much more than justimplementing a solution. Organisationsneed to develop the mind-set thatprevention is better than being reactive, andis a much bigger issue and challenge forthe Risk or IT teams of a business.

All too often companies focus all theirattention on the external threats whenthe reality is that internal threatsactually pose the biggest risk toa business, and can be the easiest one to address.By preparing and,crucially, enforcingpolicies and proceduresthat clearly outline theboundaries to whichemployees can accessdata and the resultantactions should they breach thistrust, it ensures that the importance ofdata protection is upheldthroughout theorganisation.”

On 11th January, thisyear, the InformationCommissioner,Christopher Graham,called again for strongersentencing powers forpeople convicted of stealing personal data.Saying “Nuisance call cowboys and claims

market crooks pay people to stealpersonal data, and the fines that courtsare issuing at the moment just don’t doenough to discourage would-be datathieves.

“We’d like to see the courts given moreoptions: suspended sentences, communityservice, and even prison in the mostserious cases. With so much concernabout the security of data, it is moreimportant than ever that the courts have attheir disposal more effective deterrentpenalties than just fines."

Esther George, Director of Cyber Crimeand Prevention at 8MAN and formerly asenior policy advisor for the CrownProsecution Service and author of theCouncil of Europe Electronic EvidenceGuide, agrees, saying, “The commentsfrom Information CommissionerChristopher Graham on the need forgreater sentencing powers reveals thecontinued disconnect between the actionsof cyber thieves and the punishment thatthey receive. There needs to be a move toensure that the penalties given take intoaccount the gravity of the situation.

“At present, most cases if handed to thepolice and Crown Prosecution Service(CPS) can be dealt with under Section Oneof the Computer Misuse Act 1990, whichdeals with unauthorised access to acomputer and can result in a fine andimprisonment of up to six months. The ICOprosecutes under the Data Protection Actso they are limited to fines alone.

“However, we should be looking toprosecute offenders under Section 55 ofthe Data Protection Act. Currently thismeans that only fines can be imposed butthe Secretary of State has the power toalter the penalty for an offence of unlawfullyobtaining data which would give judgesgreater sentencing powers, including longerimprisonment.

“This hasn’t happened yet and thereforelighter penalties continue to be given. It is nosurprise that cybercrime continues to risewith low fines acting as the only deterrent.

More importantly though is the need formuch greater education within organisationsas to how to handle these incidents, whothey inform and what they should do to

prevent them in the first place. For manyorganisations they presume that if data

is lost that they should go to theICO, who then run their own

investigation and prosecute.This means that the policeand CPS aren’t even awareor are able to impose

tougher sanctions.

Education must take place into what policies and procedures are needed to prevent these incidents, when they should go to the police versus the ICO and what information needs to be provided to build a solid case for prosecution under the Data Protection Act. Only with tougher penalties will we deter cyber criminals.

How secure isyour data?

33814 1pg_Transport Warehousing 22/01/2016 11:23 Page 1

25

As you start to implement the growth plans for your business in2016, have you factored in how you can overcome last year’sbiggest obstacles to growth?

In 2015, small businessessuffered an average of 45minutes ‘downtime’ everyweek costing more than£500 per employee. Smallbusinesses are already timepoor so think how productiveyou could have been lastyear with nearly 40 extrahours.

Business is more and morereliant on the Internet andexisting data to completework. Downtime is whathappens when this is takenaway and it costs businessesboth time and money. Howdo you minimise this risk foryour business in 2016 andensure you are prepared forany potential disruption?

The biggest cause ofdowntime for smallbusinesses is data loss orbusiness disruption causedby a disaster. A disaster canmean anything from fire andflood affecting hardware onyour site, to a power surge,cable theft, or human errorand the misuse of companyIT systems. The results areloss of data, a breach of dataprivacy, or in some cases afull IT system crash. All ofthese are extremelydamaging to your business.A recent report from theBritish Chambers of Commerce revealed the worrying statisticthat 93% of companies which suffer a disaster and subsequentloss of data for more than 10 days file for bankruptcy within ayear and a staggering 50% do so immediately following data loss.

For small businesses the only thing worse than a disasteris failing to plan for one.

The answer is a bespoke solution for your business that fits yourbudget and level of risk. Sealability, a specialist building servicescompany based in Warwickshire, suffered a major fire at theirpremises in 2013. They had opted for a replicated server in a

Northampton based data centre which meant they couldremove their hardware containing all their company data andhave it operational at their satellite site within 24 hours. Twoyears on the company has a new site in Nuneaton and going

from strength to strength. Analternative solution is amonthly subscription basedservice which removes theneed for a capital investmentin your own equipment and,with careful selection of theright provider, keeps yourdata secure and accessible.

What about protectingagainst human error? This iswhere choosing the rightprovider and solution foryour Disaster Recovery is soimportant. Have you everbeen in the situation whereyou want to go back to theearlier version of adocument or file? Maybethe file is corrupt orsomeone has been workingon it and overwrittenimportant work by another.With the right back-upsoftware, you can go back 3days, 3 weeks, 3 monthsand access the previousversion you thought lostforever.

If you are a small businessthat wants to grow this yearby maximising yourefficiency and minimisingyour risk; make your firstresolution to create yourDisaster Recovery plan.

Make Disaster Recoveryyour New Year’s Resolution

For more information please contact

the Group on 01926 452462

or email cloud@emerald-group.co.uk

33532 AP_HorseWorld 06/01/2016 16:07 Page 1

26

BeyondtheHorizonWhere could thejourney into the Cloudtake your business?

Having already deployed thousands of Microsoft Office 365seats for our customers, it’s clear that there are many differentreasons to make the move to this Cloud-based service.

For some, it’s been the natural replacement for agingequipment or solutions that have recently reached end of lifesuch as Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

For others, growth or relocation has prompted a review of ITstrategy and the decision sits in the context of a longer-termview of the benefits technology can bring to the business.

What’s critical, regardless of the circumstances, is tounderstand fully how the adoption of a modern technologyplatform has the potential to transform. And that’s beforeconsidering cost-savings, flexibility and mobility.

Far more than the latest versions of Word, Excel andPowerPoint, Microsoft Office 365 bridges seamlessly across allareas of ICT from applications and productivity tools toinfrastructure and communications.

The challenge lies both in imagining how new technologiesapply and finding a partner with the breadth of experience andexpertise to support the most effective implementation.

Do you have sufficient connectivity? Would a hybrid solution bemost appropriate? Is it possible to consolidate some elementsof your telephony with the introduction of UC (unifiedcommunications)? What about managing the security of theincreasing number of mobile devices accessing your data?

Some may justifiably have concerns over compatibility or legacysoftware but it’s clear that most vendors have a clear roadmap forintegration with Office 365 in order that they don’t get left behind.

There’s a lot to consider. But equally, there’s a lot to gain.

Technologies such as Hololens may be a distant dream but thefuture is well within reach for most businesses thanks to Office365 and that future is all about working more effectively, sharinginformation and improving communication and collaborationwith colleagues; wherever they are.

Technologies such Microsoft SharePoint have been used bylarge enterprises for more than a decade to streamlineprocesses and manage information but have been beyond thereach of smaller businesses.

That’s changing now that SharePoint and Skype for Businessare both included as part of Office 365.

Our customers are using SharePoint across all areas of theirbusiness from ISO compliance to asset management andproject sites.

For a little inspiration as to what’s possible it’s worth stepping‘back to the future’ with Microsoft’s “2011 Future Vision”productivity film. You’ll find it on YouTube and is really worth thewatch. Much of what you see is now commonplace and relieson technologies such as Office 365 and Microsoft DynamicsCRM Online to deliver. Their most recent film moves the journeyon even further building on the concept of ‘mixed reality’.

Whilst you don’t need to make a paradigm shift, it is importantto look beyond the horizon to understand what can beachieved with the move to a modern technology platform.

A cloud review from TSG could be the first step in opening yourdoor to an exciting new world. Book yours now atTSG.com/worldoftechnology or call 0333 2200 777

Navigate your whole World of Technology with TSG.Get IT right and your return on investment will be easy to measure – improved pro�tability; competitive advantage; exceptional customer experience.No more disjointed systems, no more wondering who to call to �x a problem, no more unnecessary frustrations.From the applications that drive your business to the infrastructure – both virtual and physical – that underpins it, we can take care of your whole world of technology.

To �nd out why TSG is trusted by thousands to deliver great service and great results, visit tsg.com/worldoftechnology or call 0333 2200 777

33653_HorseWorld 05/01/2016 10:37 Page 1

27

ZerO Energy Lighting is here...

A typical ZEL installation pays for itself in under

3 years

Adoption of ZEL could result in annual savings of

£430m for the warehouse sector

Did you know that too many of the UK's commercial properties are lit by low-quality, inefficient, costly lighting; meaning that lighting makes up 43% of total electricity consumption in the warehouse sector?

Discover ZerO Energy Lighting - a holistic solution, based on rigorous design principles,

that delivers the optimum balance of natural and artificial light to help warehouse owners

and occupiers create better, brighter, more cost-effective and energy-efficient buildings.

To find out more about how our ZerO Energy Lighting solution can enhance the

energy-efficiency of your building, please get in touch.

e: marketing@kingspanpanels.com t: 01352 717251 www.kingspanpanels.co.uk/fsl

16:23:53

33658_HorseWorld 09/11/2015 09:58 Page 1

28

When you’re setting up in business,one of the first things you’ll need toconsider is what storage facilities youwill need.

And among the key factors to take intoaccount when weighing up your optionswill be cost, flexibility and lead times.

With these criteria in mind, this article willlist the main options available, and whatyou need to consider when decidingwhich one(s) are right for you.

We’ll start with an obvious one:

• What type of goods do youstock/sell/need to store?

Think of this from the point of view of adistributor. What are they made of, andhow fragile are they? Are they perishable,or suitable for keeping at ambienttemperatures? Do you have someproducts which need to be kept apartfrom others for safety reasons? And, ofcourse, how big and how heavy are they?

• What’s your budget?

When pondering this, you need to splityour outgoings into two categories: one-off and recurring, Will making a one-timeinvestment result in savings in your firm’srunning costs, and, if so, how long will it

take for those savings to recoup youroriginal outlay? This will involve thinkingholistically about how your businessoperates, and reconciling this with yourcurrent and long-term goals for yourbusiness.

• How big do you plan to grow, andhow quickly?

Scalability is a key word in businessplanning. So in the early days you need toconsider whether you need premises withspace which can grow with you, andwhich is equipped to cope with thedemands you will place on it in terms ofkey resources such as power and watersupplies.

• What are your packaging needs?

Not so much a question of availability, butrather, how well are your premises gearedup to handling the containers in whichyour goods will be supplied or shippedout? You’ll need a great deal of differentmachinery for handling pallets than forboxes, for example.

• What problems do you need toanticipate/overcome?

Have you encountered specific problemswith your storage and distribution

operations? Or are certain difficultiescommon among businesses in yoursector? Research these, then you canknow the right questions to ask yourpotential warehousing or distributionpartners.

• What does a good storage anddistribution system look like fromyour customers’ viewpoint?

Try to find out what your customers reallywant from their suppliers, because stayingone step ahead of their needs is key tosuccess in almost any business. Getfeedback about their experiences, anduse these to build and adapt your ownsystems with their needs at the centre ofwhat you do.

To be successful in collecting all thisinformation and putting it to good use,you’ll also need to build a strong workingpartnership with logistics and warehousingspecialists.

A two-way business relationship with yourexperts in this area can help make this somuch easier, and mean that you won’tneed to lose any sleep over mapping outa smooth route to a growing businesswhich can acquire new customers whilealways ensuring that it keeps its existingones happy.

Choosing yourwarehouse

How to choose your warehouse andstorage facilities and gear for growth

33811 1pg_Transport Warehousing 22/01/2016 11:01 Page 1

29

Exciting Times for Amvar

Cradley Heath-based forklift distributor, Amvar HandlingSolutions Ltd has moved to a modern facility after 7 years attheir previous premises in Lye while at the same time securing amajor deal with TCM Forklift.

The move to Corngreaves Trading Estate, Cradley, sees thecompany installed in a modern 7,000 sq. feet building, with animproved workshop, office layout and IT support system designedto optimise growth and efficiency. By remaining local the companyhas retained its strong links with customers and suppliers.

Amvar Handling Solutions,founded in 1998, has vastexperience in the materialshandling equipment industry,providing solutions for handling,lifting, warehouse, workplace andstorage problems. Amvar expectsto double its turnover over thenext three to four years and willbe recruiting during this excitingperiod for the company.

Malcolm Mitchell, Managing Director of Amvar believes the move willhelp the business meet its growth aspirations. He said “The move to new premises, coupled with our appointmentas authorised dealers for the prestigious TCM product has meantwe can provide a much broader range of materials handlingequipment across all applications and provide our customers witheven greater levels of service support”

The appointment asthe authoriseddealer for TCMforklifts in the WestMidlands was animportant factor inthe move, as Amvaris the onlyauthorised TCMdealer in the regionand offers the fullrange of gas, dieseland electric forklift

trucks and warehouse handling equipment including poweredpallet trucks and reach trucks.

TCM are a Japanese company, renowned leaders in thelogistics industry which actually designed and manufacturedJapan’s first forklift truck.

Amvar is not just known for forklifts; companies across theregion come to Amvar for their handling, lifting, warehouse,workplace and storage requirements. Whether redesigning yourwarehouse or just setting up, Amvar have everything you needfrom partitions, mezzanine flooring, shelving, racking, palletisedstorage, conveyor systems, handling and lifting equipment andof course forklifts! Their comprehensive catalogue can be foundon their website at www.amvargroup.com

It was natural then that when Midland Deburr and Finishingneeded to replace an ageing truck that they should turn toAmvar. Midland Deburr had known local TCM forklift dealer,Amvar Handling Solutions for a few years and built a solidrelationship based on strong trust and confidence that they willbe there when needed.

Based in the heart of the UK’S fast moving automotive andcomponents industry, Midland Deburr and Finishing are in thebusiness of surface finishing as a subcontractor to the metalcomponents manufacturing sector, and whilst that is largelyautomotive related they have customers across allmanufacturing sectors.

Inevitably, with such a specialised business, operating in a fast moving business environment and with highly demandingand expanding customers, the pressure to perform can beimmense. It’s expected that consignment parts will be received,processed and returned within a 1-2 day turnaround.

Comprehensive forklift truck,storage and workplace solutions

An award winning bespoke Web App Development & Inbound Marketing agency.

Congratulations to Amvar Handling Solutions on your relocation to new premises, we wish you continued success for the future.

Proudly supporting

AMVAR HANDLING SOLUTIONS

www.teknetmarketing.co.uk | 0800 488 0400 | sales@teknetmarketing.co.uk

Unit 59 Landywood Enterprise Park, Holly Lane, Great Wyrley, Walsall, West Midlands, WS6 6BD.

Contact us today to take your digital presence to the next level.

GPC Industries Ltd are proud to be suppliers to

Congratulations on moving to your new premises

Specialist trade only suppliers of Materials Handling, Access & Storage Equipment

33733 2pg_HorseWorld 22/01/2016 09:40 Page 1

30

In such a pressure cooker environment, Managing Director,Chris Arrowsmith knows that he cannot afford to be let downby his suppliers, and as logistics is such a key part of hisoperation, he needs to be able to rely on his forklift trucksupplier as a trusted business partner.

“We are highly dependent on our forklifts and cannot afford tolose them through faults or failures. Happily Amvar is a localcompany, we know them and they know us, so they respondimmediately to any problems we have” says Chris.

Although alternative suppliers were considered, Chris felt thatthe combination of a local, trusted dealer with experiencedservice and a major proven forklift product was the best option.

Thanks to their common components platform, TCM offer a90% of faults fixed on first service call. This means thatbusinesses like Midland Deburr, which are highly dependent on

a small fleet of intensely operated forklift trucks, get anotherlayer of reassurance and reliability.

The new TCM gas CB truck has also proven to be a cost saverto the business as the new truck came with a maintenancepackage included in the lease deal.

Chris is enthusiastic about the support that Amvar provides,“We appreciate the advice and the level of service we receive.We are not pushed to some anonymous call centre but speakdirectly to the team at Amvar who provide a rapid response. Inour demanding and interdependent world that is worth a lot”,he observed.

Customer service is a priority at Amvar whether old or new,large or small, from whatever industry; customers can rely onthe friendly knowledgeable team at Amvar to provide just whatthey need.

Malcolm Mitchell, would like to thank the suppliers who havesupported Amvar during the transition, TCM, Teknet Marketing,GPC Trading and WB Powersource

For more information, please visit the websitewww.amvargroup.com or telephone 0800 542 4512

To see the full range of goods and services from AmvarHandling Solutions go to www.amvargroup.comwww.amvarindustrialsupplies.co.uk www.pallettruckstop.co.ukor www.greenindustrialproducts.co.uk

To make an enquiry, telephone 0800 542 4512 or email sales@amvargroup.com

Follow us on..

“Proud to support Amvar Handling Solutions”

WB Powersource are a family business that havebeen supplying forklift batteries and battery

accessories since the early 1980's

Tel: 0121 525 4441www.wbpowersource.co.uk “Proud to support

Amvar Handling Solutions”

At TCM we offer you reliable and durableforklifts for industrial applications. Users cancover all industrial truck requirements indoors and outdoors. For warehouse uses,forklifts are available for loading and unloading, transporting, stackingand picking. They have load capacities from 800 to 3 000kg and reach lifting heights upto 15 850 mm.

REDEFINING THE CONCEPT OF EFFICIENCY

33733 2pg_HorseWorld 22/01/2016 09:40 Page 2

31

RAYFLEXG R O U P 1 9 7 5 - 2 0 1 5

Landmark year for market leader inPVC and rubber site safety productsand industrial facilities management

As the coldest winter in 50 yearsapproaches, and with it the prospectof much higher heating bills for yourpremises, thermal efficiencies andenergy savings are high on theagenda for everyone. FittingRayflex’s industrial PVC curtainscould be a wise move - cutting yourenergy costs by up to 50%.

Cheshire-based Rayflex Rubber Limited iscelebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015 havingattained the envied position of market-leader in themanufacture and sale of PVC strip curtains, Rubber site safetyproducts, industrial screens and impact doors. To continuedriving the market forwards they have re-branded and unifiedtheir previous websites under one umbrellawww.rayflexgroup.co.uk

“Rayflex has taken the opportunity to re-shape itself for future.We wanted to reflect the unity between our three main areas ofexpertise: PVC, rubber and impact Doors. The re-brandclearly displays our full product range and enables ourcustomers to benefit from our ability to manufacture,recommend and supply full site solutions across the entire PVCand rubber range” stated Phillipa Taylor, Company Director.

The move has been made as the company gears up for itsbusiest time of the year – as companies of all types and sizesbegin to look closely at how they can cut their energy billsahead of whatever harsh weather the winter might bring. Andwith more than two-thirds of the company’s output coming inthe form of bespoke, purpose-made products, it is urgingbusiness owners and managers to get their orders in quickly tosecure the items which will help them to immediately realisesome substantial savings.

“Industrial PVC strip curtains are Rayflex’s best-sellingproduct, we are the largest manufacturer in the UK and we aimto provide our customers with a one-stop shop for these andour extensive, complementary range of rubber site safety and

facility protectionproducts. Out of ourcentrally-locatedfactory and warehouse,we offer promptturnaround of ourproducts from stock toboth domestic andinternational

customers,” added Paul Scales, Warehouse Manager.

Now is the time to look into ordering the industrial PVC stripcurtains and rubber site safety products which will helpimprove your business’s energy efficiency this winter –and for many years to come. So take a few simple steps tosafeguard your investment by contacting Rayflex today on01925 638753, or by emailing sales@rayflexgroup.co.uk .

An extensive product offering on the site offers customersthe chance to view product information, product prices andto download fact sheets and technical specifications on allproducts made by the group, encompassing:

- PVC strip curtains and PVC sheet

- Moveable, one-piece Screenflex curtains

- Loading bay protection products

o Dock Bumpers

o Wall Guards & corner protection

o Wheel Chocks

o Bollards

o Wheel Guides

- Rubber sheeting and floor matting

- Insect curtains and screens, and

- Impact Doors

5% discount on all orders when quoting:BBPO3

33647 1pg_HorseWorld 18/01/2016 10:06 Page 1

32

GEA Group were struggling to fit three of itscompanies under one roof, until Vincent InteriorContracts took up the challenge. GEA could not find aproperty that suited their requirements until theyrealised how Vincent Interiors could transform anindustrial warehouse to meet their exact requirementsof office accommodation and warehouse space, not tomention the staggering amount they would save inrent over 10 years by taking on the warehouseproperty rather than offices which would still not workfor them.

What’s more – with a 12 weekdeadline Vincent Interior’sskilled workforce completedthe design and installation ofnew windows, mezzaninefloors, partitions, ceilings,electrical, IT, plumbing, carpetsand office furniture within 8weeks, thus bringing GEA a

huge cost saving. The entire project is a classic example ofVincent Interior Contracts signature modus operandi.

“Vincent Interiors works alongside all of its clients from the firstoutlining of their requirements and costing through to the finalinstallation, ensuring they are completely satisfied every step ofthe way” explains Managing Director Keith Vincent.

“Every project we undertake is viewed on an individual basisand we give each the care and attention required to maximiseits potential both in terms of space utilisation and overallaesthetic effect, while being mindful of budgetary restrictionsand implementation timescales.”

Vincent’s expertise has been applied to a host of office, factoryand warehouse fit-outs and refurbishment projects togovernment sites, schools and universities.

A CAD design andconsultancy service formpart of the busy portfolioand Vincent InteriorContracts also regularlywork with Architects onlarge-scale installationschemes providing a fullproject managementservice if required.

Vincent Interiors look forward to giving your business a trulyinspired working environment, something out of the ordinary – asolution exactly designed and tailored to your needs.

To find out more about the services and facilities,including a FREE site survey, available from Vincent

Interior Contracts visit www.vicltd.co.uk

Alternatively telephone 01384 295463 or email sales@vicltd.co.uk

Vincent Interior Contracts LtdBuxton House, Dawley Brook Road,

Kingswinford DY6 7BD

VINCENT – The Complete Office and Factory Fit-Out Specialists.

Vincent

• MOVING

• EXTENDING

• DOWNSIZING

• SPACE CREATING

• REFURBISHMENT

33231 AP_HorseWorld 02/03/2015 13:36 Page 1

33

Nottingham estateagency Walton & Allenhas invested £50,000 inmoving to a distinctivenew base at the heartof Nottingham's Lace Market.

The business haslaunched in the Pavilion, a4,400 sq ft glazed unit inLace Market Square. It willoffer a seven day servicefrom the branch, whichwill also feature exteriortouch screens for househunters following thelaunch of its new app.

Walton & Allen has been based in Nottingham for 15 years andhas moved its team of 30 from Stoney Street to the Pavilion.

Mark Batty, director at Walton & Allen, said: "With the growth insales and the buoyancy of the housing market we’ve spent 12months looking for a suitable location for the launch of this newconcept estate agency. Lace Market Square’s Pavilion isperfect, being close to the first tram stop and in the heart of thebooming Creative Quarter.

"Finding this iconic location gave us the confidence to invest aconsiderable sum in new technology for the business,demonstrating our commitment and ambitions for the propertymarket in Nottingham."

Formed in 2000, they fast became one of the most reputableagencies in Nottingham. Their team combine a fresh approach toproperty matters with traditional professionalism and efficiency.

They are fully focused on the priorities and needs of all of theirclients, so whether you are buying, selling, letting or renting youcan rely on Walton & Allen to make the process as smooth andpainless as possible.

Their friendly team are on hand to steer those looking for a newhome, whether to rent or buy, through all the legal and financialjargon in order to provide straightforward professional advice.

Far from your regular estate agency just dealing in the buying,selling or rental of domestic and commercial properties, Walton& Allen have made commercial property and maintenance ofcommon areas a key part of their offering.

Those selling their property or wishing to rent it out, either short or long term, can rely on the team to use all the tools and experience at their disposal to promote the property tobest advantage.

Their sales team offers, as standard, a comprehensivemarketing profile for your property. They use all of the usualportals but additionally include 360 degree virtual tours, 3Dfloorplans and most importantly have vast local knowledge ofthe property market and current trends.

The company prides itself on its professionalism and providingquality properties for quality people.

For more information please visit the web sitewww.waltonandallen.co.uk or telephone 0115 9243304

33729 AP_HorseWorld 03/12/2015 13:01 Page 1

34

As construction figures hit yet a thirdquarter of disappointing figures, and inlight of the current housing shortagethe Prime Minister has announced thatthe government is to step in anddirectly commission thousands ofaffordable new homes.

The new initiative is in addition togovernment’s existing commitment to driveup housing supply and increase homeownership. The Spending Review alreadyprovides for £2.3 billion funding to supportthe delivery of up to 60,000 starter homesbetween 2016/17 and 2020/21.

The commitment will be principally deliveredthrough planning reforms to release moreland for starter homes and will require aproportion of starter homes on ‘reasonablysized’ sites.

A starter home is a home sold to a first timebuyer under 40, for at least a 20% discountto market value, with a cap on the value ofthe property. The government expects mostof these homes to be well under any cap, aswith the Help to Buy equity loan scheme. Thepurchaser must live in the home for five yearsto gain the full benefit of the discount, but ifthey move earlier, they will lose the discount.

In a radical new policy shift, not used on thisscale since Thatcher and Heseltine startedthe Docklands, the government will directlycommission the building of homes on publiclyowned land. This will lead to quality homesbuilt at a faster rate with smaller building firms– currently unable to take on big projects –able to get building on government siteswhere planning permission is already in place.The first wave of up to 13,000 will start on 4sites outside of London in 2016 – up to 40%of which will be affordable ‘starter’ homes.

The government has also announced a£1.2bn starter home fund to preparebrownfield sites for new homes, fast-tracking the creation of at least 30,000 newstarter homes and up to 30,000 markethomes on 500 new sites by 2020 – helpingdeliver the commitment to create 200,000starter homes over the next 5 years.

The new investment will helpkick-start regeneration andsecure planning permission inurban areas – renovating

disused or under-occupied urban sites sobuilders can get to work without any delays.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“This government was elected to deliversecurity and opportunity - whatever stageof life you’re at. Nothing is more importantto achieving that than ensuring hard-working people can buy affordable homes.

“Today’s package signals a huge shift ingovernment policy. Nothing like this hasbeen done on this scale in 3 decades –government rolling its sleeves up anddirectly getting homes built.”

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:

“Today’s radical new approach will meanthe government will directly commissionsmall and up-and-coming companies tobuild thousands of new homes on sitesright across the country.”

Currently the top 8 house builders provide50% of new homes. The directcommissioning approach will supportsmaller builders and new entrants who areready to build but lack the resources andaccess to land.

The measures have been broadlywelcomed by the construction industry,although Building magazine flags up someconcerns that such a radical policy mayshake up the development industry, causingdelays, and fears that it may not actuallylead to more homes being built.

However, as Brian Berry, Chief Executiveof the Federation of Master Builders(FMB), said:

“When it comes to building new homes,the availability of small sites is the singlebiggest barrier to SME house buildersincreasing their output.

“Any measures that the government canintroduce that will increase the number ofsmall sites suitable for SME housebuilders will help address the housingshortfall.

“It is also encouraging that the majority ofthese sites will already have planningpermission in place as obtainingpermission is all-too-often a lengthy andprotracted process – avoiding this timedelay should help house builders increasetheir supply much more quickly.”

Jeremy Blackburn, Head of Policy at theRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(RICS), said:

“This government has already introduceda great many initiatives that we believe willslow current high rates of house-pricegrowth. Today’s announcements willfurther help to bring much-needed newdevelopments swiftly to market.”

The proposals appear to address the keydifficulties of the availability of suitablesites, planning permission and some ofthe concerns of smaller builders, but willthe supply of labour and materials beable to keep up? Only time will tell.

1,000s of Affordable New Homes

33812 1pg_Transport Warehousing 22/01/2016 09:38 Page 1

35

As one of the UK’s largest non-operated equipment rental companies, A-Plant is well equipped to meet the needs of organisations across the West Midlands in industries including; construction, infrastructure, industrial, public sector, health, leisure, transport and facilities management through its extensive product range, value added services and innovations.

With Service Centres across the region and employing over 225 people locally A-Plant prides itself in offering local solutions and supporting the local economy. The company works in partnership with its customers to understand and address issues such as carbon emissions, sustainability, striving for risk-free solutions and achieving ‘Best Value’.

A-Plant operates a continual fl eet enhancement and innovation programme with a multi-million pound investment each year in state-of-the-art equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers such as JCB, Terex, Hilti and SDMO. This investment enables A-Plant to offer customers one of the youngest and most advanced hire equipment fl eets in the industry and the most innovative, reliable, safe and environmentally-friendly equipment on the market.

The extensive range of products available to hire includes plant, tools, formwork and falsework, survey equipment, power

generation, traffi c management, accommodation units, climate control, all-terrain vehicles, access equipment, pipeline jointing equipment, rail equipment, lifting & material handling and much more.

Commenting on the expansion of its Service Centres, Paul Coxon, A-Plant’s District Sales Director for West Midlands said: “We already have a large customer base across the West Midlands, so this new location will allow us to provide enhanced support for both existing customers and the DIY market. The new Tool Hire Express store is located side by side with our existing PSS Hire location which already offers specialist products and services to the utility, civil engineering and associated sectors, this means we now offer a complete one-stop-shop solution to meet all our utility customers’ equipment needs.

Coupled with the hire of equipment, A-Plant also provide fi rst class training to its customers whether it be health and safety related, operator training on access equipment, or driver training, and is recognised as an accredited training provider by a number of professional bodies. The training enables customers to comply with ever-changing legislative demands and ensures that they are at the forefront of industry practice and certifi cation.

A-Plant, one of the leading equipment hire companies in the UK, has expanded its Service Centre network in the West Midlands by opening a new Tool Hire Express store in Wolverhampton. The new store will offer contractors and homeowners immediate access to construction and DIY equipment.

A-Plant’sExpansionthroughout West Midlands

33784 - dps_HorseWorld 18/01/2016 16:12 Page 1

36

WATERY LN

WATERY LN

NEA

CH

ELLS LN

NEA

CH

ELLS

LN

AWBERRY LN

NOO

SE L

N

NO

OSE

LN

A454 A454 A454 A454

WE ARE HERE

Our new Tool Hire Express store is conveniently located in the heart of Wolverhampton, so it means we can deliver equipment quickly and effi ciently to customers, whilst also making it convenient and economical for our customers to collect from us and be back on-site almost immediately.

The new store is located at:

Wolverhampton Tool Hire ExpressUnit 9-10 Watery Lane Industrial Estate,Watery Lane, Wolverhampton WV13 3SU

01902 634688 wolverhampton@toolhireexpress.com

HOIST HIRE • SERVICE • SALES

33784 - dps_HorseWorld 18/01/2016 16:12 Page 2

37

Build your name on usSourced with expertise - Delivered with confi dence

INSULATION | INTERIORS | TECHNICAL INSULATIONFIXINGS | CONSTRUCTION ACCESSORIES | COMMERCIAL DRAINAGE

Why SIG?As the UK’s leading specialist construction supplier, 58 years of experience has given us an unparalleled understanding of our customers and their unique demands.

Customers trust us to deliver on our commitment of supplying more than 500,000 market-leading products on time, in full, every time. Of course, we couldn’t do this without our vast warehousing capabilities, over 60 branches nationwide and a fl eet of more than 500 specialist vehicles.

This steadfast reliability has earned us our excellent reputation, which is reinforced by our unrivalled technical experts, who are always on hand when you need them.

We’ve got the Midlands covered...Our branch network across the region offers the complete solution of specialist construction products to the industry including Fixings, Commercial Drainage, Technical Insulation, Construction Accessories, Interior Fitout Products, Dry Lining and Structural Insulants.

SIG Oldbury is one of our fl agship branches, and we have recently undergone some signifi cant infrastructure changes, which now enables us to offer our customers a one-stop shop for all of their construction needs in the West Midlands, Hereford, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Mid-Wales and Staffordshire regions.

With a fl eet of 23 dedicated SIG vehicles ranging from a panel van up to a 44ft artic and trailer with full moffet capability, we can offer a same day and next day delivery service Monday to Friday for all products.

To further improve our customer service we have increased our stock holding capacity by 50% and extended our delivery times which are now available between the hours of 07:30 – 18:00. All of this is backed up by the support of our dedicated and extremely knowledgeable sales team who have a collective average of 10 years’ experience within the industry.

To see how we can help, visit buildyournameonus.com

WE SUPPLY ALL YOUR FIXINGS TOO

Contact your local OLDBURY branch TODAY on...

Tel: 0121 665 3050 Fax: 0121 665 3075

Apollo Park, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury, Birmingham, B69 2DF

33734_HorseWorld 03/12/2015 13:40 Page 1

38

Growth, investment andinnovation: growingGaric move in toBirmingham.

Garic are one of the UK’s leading and most trustedmanufacturers and suppliers of plant and welfare facilities.Today, the company manufactures, hires and sells everythingneeded for site set-up – from a full welfare set-up to plant anda village of modular buildings.

Due to current growth opportunities and backed by the BibbyLine Group, Garic are set to double turnover by £37 millionwithin its three year strategy and in the past year invested aninitial £14 million to increase manufacturing and productionplans. Key to Garic’s strategy is the opening of further plantand welfare depots, with a yard in Birmingham becomingoperational in January 2016.

Situated in Dudley, the full servicing depot will supply, serviceand transport everything from full welfare set-ups to plant andmachinery, to the West Midlands and the surrounding areas,creating office based, transport and workshop job roles. Furtherdepots are planned for Dartford and the North East of Englandin 2016.

2015 has also seen Garic win a large number of high profileprojects, including a £2.5m contract from Manchester SmartMotorways, a ninety-six bay modular building installation forWates Construction at Wembley Stadium and the supply of ecowelfare units to Liverpool Hospital for Carillion.

Neil Richardson, Sales Director said: “As Garic’s reputation formanufacturing top quality environmentally friendly, cost effectiveproducts has grown, so too has the number of clients wantingto buy or hire them.

“Pushing the boundaries of innovation is at the heart ofeverything we design and manufacture. How can we make itmore economical to use? What changes can we make to

ensure it performs to its optimum? How can we modify adesign to get it to market more economically and quicklywithout compromising on quality?”

Garic’s answer stricter to stricter environmental policies andcarbon assessments was to create the most eco-friendly andcost-effective cabin available.

The patented CombiCabin Eco Series Plus slashes runningcosts by completely omitting the use of a generator. Instead, allof the power needed is drawn from eight solar panels housedon the cabin’s roof. The unit itself is heated by a small fuel tankwhich is also powered by solar technology.

Plant Manager Steve Openshaw at Eric Wright Constructioncommented: “As a carbon conscious company we need toensure that all welfare and plant sets the tone for a modern,safe and professional set-up that both meets our stringentenvironmental policies and our clients’ expectations. The EcoSeries Plus does just that and sets the high standardsexpected elsewhere on our construction sites”.

Comprehensive trials conducted on live construction sitesconcluded that the Eco Series Plus could save contractors upto 88 percent in fuel costs alone compared to a standard 240vgenerator powered Combi-Cabin. They also revealed that Co2emissions were reduced by up to 88 percent.

“The sectors we supply to are experiencing significant growthand it’s our aim to ensure they’re fully tooled up with thehighest quality, British manufactured products that offerenvironmental and cost saving benefits.”

Garic’s depot in Dudley will be operational from the 4th January 2016.

For more information please visit their web site, garic.co.uk or telephone 0161 766 8808

© DiskAr t™ 1988

33764_HorseWorld 06/01/2016 13:30 Page 1

39

The company has invested heavily over the years in new plantand equipment, keeping at the forefront of steel technology andthe move was necessary for Steel Express to continue toexpand its range of goods and services in order to keep upwith increased demand from their many longstandingcustomers, including the MOD, for new products.

As an example, in 2014 they started to supply a completerange of cold rolled steel profile sections suitable for a multiplenumber of applications such as sections and tubes, anglesections, T-sections, open box sections, sheets and strips.These profile sections are used in the manufacture of industrialdoors, garage doors, conveyors, security grills, storage racking,live storage, cladding and industrial partitioning.

Managing Director, Mark Nicholls commented, "This is an areaof demand for product that we have seen growing recently, andSteel Express aims to deliver high quality products that meetthe needs of our clients. We believe that the addition of thisrange of steel profile products will deliver a valuable additionalservice to our customers."

Also they can now source steel forgings internationally. With theaim to make it easy for customers to find the steel productsthey need, at the right price and the right quality. Steel Expresscan source forged products in a range of different materials,including: carbon steels, alloy steels, tool steels and stainlesssteels. Forgings are sourced from multiple sources including theFar East, where they have developed a name for delivering costeffective, quality engineering forgings.

Mark said, “At Steel Express we continue to strive to offer ourcustomers excellent service and the addition of the forging servicewas the next step in providing an even more comprehensive service.

Steel Express have moved

When in February, 2015, Steel Express, the steel supplier andstockholder moved into new larger premises at premises inShowell Road, Wolverhampton the incre-ased space was toenable them to meet the rising demand for an increased stockand cutting capacity.

Commenting on the move, Managing Director, Mark Nichollssaid, "I have to thank the customers we have continued to serveover the years who have not only made this expansion possiblebut also necessary. We see positive signs of growth within manyof the industries that we serve and we aim to continue to offergreat service, quick deliveries and keen prices.”

Their substantial stockholding of a wide range of steels meansthat they are able to maintain their enviable reputation forspeedy service; providing same day collection, and deliverywithin 24 hours. Stock is delivered by the company’s own fleetof dedicated vehicles locally and nationally, quickly andefficiently, and, as they proudly maintain, “on the day we saywe will.”

They hold stocks of Engineering Steel of all the more populartypes, En 1A, En3B, En8, En9 En14, En 16, En 19, En 24,En24T and EN36, and can also supply EN8D, EN14D andEN19T in hard chrome plated steel bar. Also Non-Ferrous Steelincluding Stainless Steel and Aluminium, Tool Steel in goodchoice of grades including Highspeed Steel, and Mould Steel.Structural Steel comes in a wide range of formats, beams,angles, tubes plates and mesh. In fact whatever your steelrequirements, Steel Express will be able to help.

STEEL EXPRESS

Building 13, Unit 1-2, Stanmore Industrial EstateBridgnorth, Shropshire, WV15 5HP.

Tel: 01746 763848 Email: info@clivecowerntransport.com “Proud to support Steel Express”

www.clivecowerntransport.com

T: 01384 264950 Fax: 01384 264955

sales@addisonsaws.co.ukwww.addisonsaws.co.uk

Attwood Street, Lye, Stourbridge,

West Midlands, DY9 8RU

“The Home Of MetalSawing....Since 1956”

Proud to support Steel Express

33679 2pg_Carford Group 20/01/2016 15:00 Page 1

40

Services include,

Free-issue precision cutting service on bars up to 1300 mm x800mm

A cutting service from 5mm dia up to 850mm diva

Flame cutting is available up to 300mm thick in most specs

Shearing up to 20mm thick in mild steel aluminium & stainless steel

Plasma cutting up to 100mm thick in stainless steel

Lumsden grinding up to 2500mm X 2000mm

We have now installed a Water Jet cutting machine capable of cutting.

Additional fabrication services include:

• Press Braking up to 12.5m x 20mm thickness

• Free Issue Cutting up to 800mm x 1300mm

• Steel Forgings

Steel Express has founded its reputation on getting the rightsteel products to their customers at the right time and at theright price.

Please visit the web site, www.steelexpress.co.uk or givethem a call, 01902 716333 for more information.

Steel Express, Unit 1, Showell Road, Wolverhampton WV10 9LU

Contact

Call: 01902 716333

Fax: 01902 716345

Email: sales@steelexpress.co.uk

Online: www.steelexpress.co.uk

If you're in amess call Steel

Expressand see what

we can offer youquickly!

PSupplying the World’s Finest Machines to UK industry since 1963

www.prosaw.co.uk

y

MANUAL to AUTOMATIC – SECTION to SOLID

Prosaw are pleased to be associated with Steel Express as a supplier of their sawing equipment and wish them continued success in their

new premises.

NON FERROUS to FERROUS – SMALL to LARGE

P

call 01536 410999

33679 2pg_Carford Group 20/01/2016 15:00 Page 2

41

Frank Dudley Ltd may have had a humble start more thansix decades ago, but constant investment in equipmentand people has fuelled its growth into the region’sleading metal pressings and welded assemblies operationthat it is today.

The 57,000 sq ft premises, housing state-of-the-art machineryand an expert workforce in Birmingham’s Wiggin Street, is morethan a lifetime away from founder Frank’s original garden shedwhile the client list has transformed from featuring small localplaters to some of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers.

That list includes Nissan, JCB, Ford, Jaguar and Honda and inSeptember, the company celebrated a £1.5million contract tosupply 600 tonne pressings and welding into Jaguar Land Rover.

As a result, another 11 people were immediately recruited tothe 55-strong workforce and turnover soared to £6million.

Frank Dudley’s portfolio is not limited to the automotive industry- its services are also sought after from the commercialvehicles, white goods and DIY sectors - the Land Rover deal isa sure sign that the last 18 months’ £200k investment in newmachinery such as a 250 KVA welder, 80 tonne, hydraulicforming machine, a Blanking press and 630 tonne press, arebringing real results.

With plans to invest even further throughout 2016/17, FrankDudley, as a successful fourth-generation manufacturer, isconfidently looking to the future as a trusted componentsmanufacturer for many customers, from world-class namesthrough to small local businesses.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without our people,”remarks Josh. “Their sheer hard work and determination hashelped us to be a business to be proud of. They are experts intheir field, working tirelessly behind the scenes and keepingcustomers coming back time and time again.”

“Apprenticeships aren’t just for engineers, our industry alsoneeds a wealth of business knowledge which we try to install in

all of our team members,” remarks, Business DevelopmentManager, Josh Dudley-Toole

Frank Dudley have always looked to promote from within andtheir apprenticeship programs have allowed all key roles tohave excellent knowledge of the manufacturing and engineeringprocesses along with the business tenacity to manage in athriving company, some examples of the apprentice successstories are below;

Alex Hammond, Production Manager

Brett Monk, Head of Planning

Sam Jones, Maintenance Engineer

Elliot Dudley-Toole, Accounts Manager

Dan Fulford, Machine Setter

Josh Dudley-Toole, Business Development Manager

Jordan Cummins, Trainee Toolmaker

Katie Green, Administrator

The investment in their people is rewarded with long servingemployees for Frank Dudley. Frank Dudley’s long standingworkforce includes 19 employees who have between 10 and65 years’ service, these experienced members of staff are keento pass on their skills to the next generation of workers withinFrank Dudley.

A right first time approach, sees customers returning time andagain, “We don’t just supply the highest standard in metalpressings and welded assemblies, we believe in building strongbusiness partnerships and providing services and products thatare tailored to our customers’ exact needs,” says PurchasingManager, Warren Dudley-Toole.

Welding, assembled components, metal pressings, deep drawncomponents and tool making go to make up the company’swide range of capabilities, which also extends to: drilling,tapping and reaming, and spot and projection welding.

“We help with the manufacture of many types of metalstampings and pressings, such as metal, stainless steel,aluminium and deep drawn pressings,” says Josh.

“And we go out of our way to ensure you our deep drawncomponents are manufactured in the most efficient and costeffective way as they have been designed to manufacture afinal shape that minimises waste while improving the structureand strength of the part being produced.

Nationwide Subcontract Laser Cutting Services2 Axis & 5 Axis Laser | Secondary Operations

Centrally Located to Support UK Industry

Large Capacity | 24/7 Production | Delivering to Your Needs

Enquire now: pecm@subconlaser.co.ukCall now: +44 (0)2476 642221

www.subconlaser.co.uk

33680_HorseWorld 22/01/2016 11:22 Page 1

42

“When it comes to welding, we live up to our reputation forstrength, reliability and flexibility, being able to produce volumesranging from batches of 50 components up to 15,000 per week.”

Further customer commitment is demonstrated in FrankDudley’s tool making processes. From the design and supply ofpress tooling, jigs and fixtures to manufacturing customcomponents of the highest grade, its complete service enablescompany experts to be with clients every step of the way of anew tooling project.

A further boost comes in the form of stringent supplier approvalprocess, approved by TS16949, which ensures that the companyuses only the very best toolmakers and fixture manufacturers.

Simply the best is the bottom line for each and every FrankDudley capability. It’s proud of the unrivalled expertise of itsassembled components shop floor which, when combined thehigh levels of investment within its workshops, results in theavailability of a wide range of assembly techniques.

“Whether you need an assembly process that requirescombining self-piercing rivet systems with spot and projectionwelding, or Co2 and robot welding cells, we can deliver,”promises Josh.

The technology and the expertknowledge may be fit for 21stcentury demands but at its heartthe ethos remains the same.

“In 1948, Frank Dudleyestablished his company toprovide a better future for hisfamily and this later evolved intoensuring a better future for hisemployees and that philosophylives on unchanged today,” saysChairperson Jill Dudley-Toole

“Our dedication to our peopleand customers shines through ineverything we do.

“We strive to be the best in thebusiness and become thepreferred second tier supplier formetal pressings and assembliesin Europe.”

To find out more about Frank Dudley and its full range ofcapabilities, equipment and services, go towww.frankdudley.com Alternatively emailsales@frankdudley.com or telephone 0121 452 8500.

t: +44(0) 161 775 1633f: +44(0) 161 777 9221e: info@deangroup-int.co.ukwww.deangroup-int.co.uk

Dean Group International Ltd

Brinell DriveNorthbank Industrial ParkIrlam, ManchesterM44 5BL

“Proud to support Frank Dudley Ltd”We specialise in high quality Precision CNC

Machining, utilising our exclusive CNC facility wecan offer the complete engineered package to a

wide variety of industries.

HALESOWENCOMPONENTS LTD

www.halesowencnc.co.ukTel: 0121 559 3771

sales@halesowencnc.co.uk

“Proud to support Frank Dudley Ltd”

33680_HorseWorld 22/01/2016 11:22 Page 2

43

The company is thriving, their forward order books are lookingvery healthy and they are receiving a steady stream of enquires.

The company has established an impressive client portfolio andtheir highly skilled workforce is regularly called upon by severalhigh end companies undertaking projects as diverse as toolingdesign and manufacture for racing and development engines,classic car engines, aerospace fixtures and even componentsfor large earthmoving machines.

Paul told us, “We’ve recently been involved in, and manufactured arange of tooling including a large gravity die project, F1 racingcylinder head & block tooling design, high production cast ironDisamatic tooling and Laempe corebox rigging, carbon fibre tooling,aerospace checking fixture tooling and other highly sensitivedevelopment projects.”

3D Tooling Technologies are on an upward trajectory.

Each time we feature 3DT in our magazine their growth story,fuelled by investment in technology, and training continues.

The company have found a winning formula by combining agreat mix of experience, with modern high-end tooling designtechnology, and good old fashioned customer service.

Paul Reeves, founder and co-director, was excited to tell usabout recent developments including the confirmation of theirexisting ISO 9001 registration in February 2015, giving theirmany longstanding clients continued confidence in themanagement procedures and practices within the company.

To meet the demand for their services they have increased theirproduction team to 8 members and taken on a 22 year old trainee.The company is, as you would expect, given the advanced natureof the equipment and processes they undertake, heavilycommitted to training and development, and are funding their,previously unemployed, trainee’s college engineering course.

Paul talked to us about some of their recent investments intechnology telling us that in the 6 years that the company,which was founded in 2009, has been running; that they haveinvested over £400,000 in high tech, high speed CNCmachinery, inspection equipment and software.

He told us, “We use the latest PTC Creo Software from ConcurrentEngineering for all tooling design. The same design system that’sused by Toyota, DAF, Ricardo and VW/Audi, and have recentlyinstalled a second set of Creo to double the design capacity.”

They have also invested heavily in inspection with a 2.5 MeterRomer arm from Hexagon Metrology and the latest CAM andCMM software from Delcam.

Paul is delighted by their success, which has seen theirturnover for July 2014 – June 2015 rise to £500,000.

Visitwww.wright-co.com

The Squires5 Walsall Street,WednesburyWest Mids WS10 9BZ

0121 556 1072

We are proud to be associated with3D Tooling Technologies Ltd

9 Stafford StreetBrewoodStafford ST19 9DX

01902 850 828

Wright & Co Partnership Limitedoffering a friendly professional servicespecialising in all aspects ofaccountancy, business advice,taxation and tax-planning to thesmall and medium sized business& sole trader.

33696 2pg new_Carford Group 25/01/2016 16:33 Page 1

44

It seems that investment in technology and making the bestuse of it, thanks to their dedicated workforce, is thecornerstone of 3DT’s success.

Where next, we wonder for this forward looking company,and await next year’s instalment with interest!

3D Tooling Technologies LimitedUnit b7 & b8, Hilton Main Industrial Estate,

Wolverhampton, WV11 2BE.

Office Tel: 01902 738600Fax: 01902 467337

Email: enquiry@3dtooltech.co.uk

For further information on the company’s range of services visit

www.3dtooltech.com

� Tel: 01684 571350 � info@cqsltd.com� www.cqsltd.com

“Proud to support 3D Tooling Technologies Ltd”

Certified Quality Systems Limited (CQS) can help yourbusiness meet ISO Standards to ensure that you arelegally compliant and meet customer and regulatory

requirements. Certification to the ISO 9001, ISO 14001or OHSAS 18001 can help to win new business and

improve your efficiency and productivity.

"Can you afford NOT to contact CQS?"

It seems that there isno limit to 3DT’scapabilities, from thetraditional skills of ToolMaking, Casting, andPattern Making, throughto CNC Machining,Inspection andPrototyping, all backedby advanced Computer

Aided Design, the company offers the full range of modernengineering skills.For further information on the company’sgoods and services please visit ww.3dtooltech.com

Their adaptability is another of their many strengths. Thecombination of experience, expertise and using the bestequipment for the task at hand, means that 3DT can rise tomeet almost any engineering challenge.

As Paul says, “We have the capabilities of companies manytimes our size, but without the large scale overheadsassociated with them, meaning that we can produce topquality, accurate tooling at a very competitive price. One of ourmain advantages is that we use the Pro- Engineer solidmodelling software, which is very high end technology.

“The initial and ongoing outlay puts many smaller companies off as itis extremely advanced, due to the cost of purchase and installation,ongoing licence renewal fees, added to the cost of training andremunerating the skilled operatives. However, due to the amount ofuse we make of the system, over the years it has become invaluableand attracts business.”

Suppliers of moulded exible foam to the o ce sea ng, automo ve, avia on & medical industries.

A complete service from development and prototyping through to tooling and into produc on.

www.interfoam.co.uk Tel : 01234 855355

33696 2pg new_Carford Group 25/01/2016 16:33 Page 2

45

www.zimmer-group.de

Zimmer Group

Winner of the

handling

AWARD 2015

THE GRIPPER RANGE OF THE FUTURE.SUSTAINABLE. INTELLIGENT.

5000 gripper seriesIO-Link+ Simple installation+ Easy to use+ Can be replaced during ongoing operation+ Data visualization directly on the component

THE KNOW-HOW FACTORY

Zimmer Group was founded in 1980 in Rheinau, Germany by

brothers Günther and Martin Zimmer. The company now

employs more than 780 people and has annual sales of

approximately € 94 million. Over the past several decades, the

company has consolidated its capabilities into six major

technology areas: Handling technology, Damping technology,

Linear technology, Process technology, Tooling technology and

Machine Tooling technology.

The parent company, Zimmer Group, created a fundamentally

new structure in 2013 with this new reorganization. Within

these areas, Zimmer Group creates cutting-edge products,

which are marketed globally under the established brand

names of Benz, Zimmer and Sommer-automatic.

33752_HorseWorld 07/01/2016 09:02 Page 1

46

That’s according to the Institute forRobotic Process Automation (IRPA)which centred its London conference,held last December, around thetheme, and as the independentprofessional association andknowledge forum for the world’sbuyers, sellers, influencers andanalysts of robotic processautomation (RPA), it should know.

Acceptance of RPA, it says, is well underway. It declares 2014 as the year of RPAresearch while 2015 was all about RPAreadiness. This year, it forecasts, thereality of RPA will take form. Welcome,indeed, to the year of the robot.

“We witnessed a rapid maturity ofsolutions and approaches towardsintelligent automation in 2015, where two-thirds of enterprise operations leads arenow involved in determining autonomicsstrategies for their business,” says PhilFersht, Chief Executive Officer, ofCambridge’s HfS Research. “Ambitiousenterprises are looking to move beyondrudimentary automation approaches andencompass elements of predictiveanalytics and cognitive computing as partof their longer term planning. These arestill early days, but the seeds of theautonomics future have been firmlyplanted and we were excited to unveil theprogress the industry is making atAutomation Innovation last December withthe 2016 Autonomics Premier League.”

Raheem Hasan, President and Co-Founderof IRPA believes that the majority of service

providers are RPA ready. “The advisorshave their teams and game plans in place,and buyers will expect RPA enabledsolutions to be the norm,” he says.

So what is an industrial robot? BARA(British Automation and Robot Association),the voice of the robot and automationindustries which deals with government,industry, financial and academic institutions,and which was set up to promote the useof and assist in the development ofindustrial robots and automation in Britishindustry, defines it thus.

“A re-programmable device designed toboth manipulate and transport parts, toolsor specialised manufacturing implementsthrough variable programmed motions forthe performance of specific manufacturingtasks”.

Automation is increasing in importance,particularly when it comes to ensuring theUK manufacturing sector can competeagainst the threat posed by low labourcosts in other parts of the world.

For the businesses to which robots aresuited, there’s no doubt that mechanicalmethods can improve things. Forexample, in situations where heavy liftingis required, when the work is repetitive orthe job requires continuously high levels ofconcentration.

One of the key reasons put forward forinvesting in an automated process is thelong term labour savings, but BARApoints out that this is not always the mostsignificant advantage because large

savings can also come fromimprovements that won’t have necessarilybeen predicted at the start of a project.However, it’s acknowledge that byinstalling robots, a company can benefitfrom increased yield, reduced waste orrework, better customer satisfaction, dueto the removal of mundane or dangerousoperations, and more efficient energy usethrough the utilisation of other machineryor factory space.

Certainly, it’s an accepted fact that robotscan produce superior results to those ofhumans in terms of quality of the workproduced, especially when highpositioning precision is required or whenthere’s a need for particularly highlyaccurate inspection and measurementusing sensors.

We may be faced with the rise of themachines - but it’s not quite judgementday yet. The level of capital investmentrequired to introduce an automativeprocess can be one of the biggeststumbling blocks. Let’s face it, even ifautomation could mean the money wouldbe recouped in the long term, if thefunding’s not there in the first place robotsare not likely to be in situ any time soonand manual labour is the sensible option.

But the numbers are definitely increasing.In its most recent set of figures, publishedlast year, the International Federation ofRobotics (IFR) recorded a 29% rise in2014’s robot sales, the highest volumeever for one year. Most went toautomotive parts and electrical/electronicsindustries with China being the biggestmarket, but demand continues toaccelerate as the trend for automatoncontinues along with the ever-developingtechnical improvements.

More than ever before, it seems that ifbusinesses wants to compete on theglobal stage, they will need to adoptautomation robotics in some form.

The Year ofThe Robot

Forget your roosters, tigers, snakes ordragons - 2016 is the year of the robot.

33813 1pg_Transport Warehousing 22/01/2016 12:01 Page 1

47

ABB Robotics UKHow robots create employment opportunities

An interesting comment was made at one of our recent events that highlights how critics linking the growing capabilities of robots with the future demise of human employment have been missing the point. In this article, Mike Wilson, Sales & Marketing Manager at ABB Robotics UK, explains.

Speaking about his experiences of introducing robotic automation to his production line, one of our delegates told how his younger team members were the ones helping to pioneer the use of the robots. He emphasised how their familiarity with technology meant

that learning how to use the robots was much easier for them than for his older, more experienced, but less robot-savvy staff. In my own 30-year experience in robotic automation, every advance in robot technology has invariably proven to actually create jobs, not destroy them. Take the steady reduction in programming complexity. Whereas the first generations of robots required specialist programming skills, advances in technology mean that even the least skilled operators can now quickly master the basic steps needed to configure a robot. These have been joined by steady developments in robot flexibility, enabling multiple types of products to be handled on the same line simply by switching between programs. In many cases, the resulting extra demand actually creates jobs, from the factory floor through to back office support. Advances in other areas such as vision, wireless communications and collaborative working, are also presenting exciting new opportunities for the future of manufacturing. I firmly believe that the answer to unlocking the potential of these opportunities lies in education, both for existing workers and at the grassroots level. The purpose of education is to provide the skills a person will need when they start work. Yet the UK’s current education framework is still very much rooted in the past. Many of the subjects taught in schools 30+ years ago are still as likely to be a main feature of today’s school timetables. For an economy that aspires to be a leader in high-end manufacturing, this is something that needs to be urgently addressed. To the point raised at the start of this article, the current generation of under-25s are probably more tech-savvy than ever. It’s ironic then that we’re failing so badly to capitalise on this.

People will always be needed. Robots are ultimately a tool for making products for humans. Someone will still need to design those products, market them, sell them, supply them and improve them. Until someone finds a good alternative to money, there will also always need to be someone to buy them – on this point alone, it is unlikely that we will ever have a situation where employment will disappear! Additionally, someone will always need to program, service and upgrade the robot, irrespective of however clever it gets. When it comes to teaching these skills, steps are already being made in the right direction. The provision of more vocational rather than academic subjects, the greater involvement of companies in schools and the growth of technically-focused establishments such as UTCs are just some examples. Experience has shown that the best results are achieved when manual workers and their robotic counterparts operate side-by-side. If we can find ways to harness the aptitude for technology of today’s youngsters with the possibilities of modern robotic automation, I firmly believe robots will prove to be the future, not the end, of the next wave of employment.

@ABBRobotics_UK

http://uk.linkedin.com/in/abbroboticsuk

ABB Robotics UK offer an education package which is used in colleges and universities across the UK.

For more about how we’re helping to shape the future of UK manufacturing, visit our web site at www.abb.com/robotics or read our blog at www.abbrobotic.blogspot.com

33763_HorseWorld 06/01/2016 16:12 Page 1

48

Earlier this year Troax UK Ltd. wereapproached by Swisslog and their clientTJ Morris, who trade throughout the UKas Home Bargains, to assist them in the implementationof a large scale automated Warehousing System in a newdistribution centre at Amesbury.

The materials handling equipment installation, Swisslog’s largestin the UK this year, included pallet and light goods systems(incorporating racking, cranes and conveyors), EMS monorailsystem, and Swisslog’s innovative CaddyPick semi-automaticcase order-picking system, the first of its type in the UK. Projectspecifics included providing guarding and fencing for:

• All automated materials handling systems, includingautomated empty pallet and waste removal stations and fullheight protection to roll cage lifts

• Mezzanine edge protection

• Pit edge protection

• Protect all material handling equipment from operational activities

• Prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas

• Provide secure tote picking on 2 levels for small and high-value items

• Provide a secure accumulation area for store-picked totes prior to despatch

• Install anti-collapse rack back fencing to Link 51 Pallet Racking

• Ensure all guards and fences are compliant with Health andSafety requirements and European standards

• Provide full steel fencing attached to Link 51 pallet racking for aerosol storage

The Troax portion of the project was to supply and installnominally 1800 linear meters of Smart Fix machine guarding,including approximately 79 bespoke gates, mezzanine/pit edgeprotection and high-value product storage areas. Troax’sMusca Mesh Anti-Collapse Rack Back Fencing was also usedon this site with the Link 51 pallet rack system.

The machine guarding was installed instages as required by the client.

Giles Adey, Key Account Business Development Managerfor Troax UK comments “This was at times a challengingproject, however we enjoyed a very productive workingrelationship with Swisslog and we are very pleased with the endresult. As can be seen in the photographs, this is a veryprofessional installation in a demanding environment and wehope that T.J. Morris, Swisslog and Link51 are all as satisfiedwith the outcome as we are.

Swisslog’s Paul Barley, Senior Project Engineer, statesthat “Troax did a great job working with Swisslog and ourdesigners to establish and install an exceptional design thatmeant that not only the Swisslog safety requirements but alsoTJ Morris’ operational needs were equally satisfied within ademanding time schedule.

For further information about Troax machine guardingand warehouse partitioning systems, please contact:

Troax UK Ltd.

Geoff McBride, National Sales ManagerEnterprise House, Murdock RoadDorcan, Swindon, WILTSTel: +44 (0) 1293 542 000Email: Geoff.mcbride@troax.com

w w w . t r o a x . c o m

33806_HorseWorld 20/01/2016 16:30 Page 1

49

The Automated Technology Group – manufacturing the future

From manufacturing cars to packing chocolates, industrialrobots are an essential component in manufacturing systemsacross all major industry sectors - helping companies reducerisk and increase productivity.

With the importance of robotics growing day by day, globalindustrial automation specialist The Automated TechnologyGroup continuously invests in robotic technologies to delivercompanies bespoke solutions to help them meet therequirements of and increase their performance in the currentmarket environment.

Uniting the expertise of Autotech and Igranic and now part ofWood Group Mustang’s Automation and Control business unit,The Automated Technology Group is a leading global supplierof power and control solutions for industrial automationdelivering complex projects with a proven blend of creativity,confidence and control.

With offices based in Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Stafford andNorthamptonshire, the group’s power, control and robotics know-

how drives the production lines, supply chains and servicedelivery of many leading companies, including BAE

Systems, Bentley, British Sugar, Coca-Cola,Hanson Cement, Jaguar Land Rover,

Kraft, Scottish Power, Tata Steel andThames Water.

The Automated Technology Groupstrongly believes in the importanceof robotics in reducingmanufacturing costs, improvingproduction quality, eradication ofcostly design errors andaccelerating time-to-market. Thegroup’s ability to utilise robots aspart of a turnkey solution in

machinery design is promoted withinthe company’s Systems Division, which

employs mechanical and control systemengineers with experience in a diverse range of

industries including pharmaceutical, automotive, food andindustrial assembly, white goods and more.

Employing industry experts and continuously investing insoftware upgrades and staff training enables The AutomatedTechnology Group to offer clients full coverage of the entireproduction process – from design and simulation to offlineprogramming, commissioning and service.

Through the use of advanced software and a variety ofapplications, the group’s robotics experts are able to analyse,design, simulate, program and optimise multi-device robotic

systems, delivering clients a proven robotic solution ready to beused on site.

Following many years of expertise in delivering robotic solutionsfor production and distribution environments, The AutomatedTechnology Group can successfully work with robots from arange of manufacturers including ABB, KUKA and many more.The group is recognised as an ABB Authorised Value Providerand has had the opportunity to closely work with ABB to delivermany successful projects for world-renowned companiesintegrating almost 1,000 robots over the last five years.

The group has also recently showcased its expertise in workingwith KUKA robots at the PPMA Show 2015 in Birmingham, atwhich a live interactive robot was a central part of its stand.

With the technologies used in modern manufacturing constantlychanging The Automated Technology Group recognises theimportance of developing a new generation of skilledengineers to suit the requirements of the business, andhas its own apprenticeship programme called The Academy.

Accredited by The Institution ofEngineering and Technology, TheAcademy recruits new salariedapprentices every year allowing youngpeople to achieve nationally recognisedqualifications and develop the skillsrequired for a successful career inengineering. Throughout the programme,apprentices gain industry-specificknowledge across various companydepartments, putting them in an excellentposition to continue their career within the groupon completion of the course.

More information about The Automated Technology Group canbe found by visiting www.atg.gb.com and you can also get intouch with the relevant department by calling 01582 400 690.

33697_HorseWorld 04/11/2015 09:34 Page 1

50

Choosing aConference VenueHow do you choose a conference venue?

With the number available running intothe hundreds of thousands, the task offinding one that’s right for you, yourbusiness and your event appears daunting.

Equally, the pressure is on the venues topresent themselves as stand-out from thecrowd, providing users with an experiencethey won’t forget.

Things are certainly looking brighter for theindustry than in recent times. Latest researchinto the UK’s conference and business eventssector, released last year, gave it an estimatedvalue of £21.6 billion in venue and destination,£2 billion higher than the previous year.

Today’s successful conference venue,whether it’s purpose built, a multi-functionspace, village hall, church, hotel or evensomething else, is likely to be the one thatmeets a whole variety of different needs andis prepared to go that extra mile to fulfil them.

But there’s also list of things to consider anddo when looking for the place that will meetyour event’s requirement.

Cost: If you’ve got a budget, stick to it. If youhaven’t, make one. There are somewonderful venues out there but bookingsomething you can’t afford isn’t clever.

As long as you have a quality, experiencedvenue committed to making your meetingsuccessful and interruption free and ensuringyour delegates are well fed and watered,you'll get far more from the event.

Facilities: Apart from the relatively obviousmeeting room or function suite, look forsuitable light fittings, power points and a roomwith unobstructed views, projection screensand LCD televisions, high quality, heavy dutycables and free, unlimited Wi-Fi access.

Meeting type: Think before you book. Ifyou’re planning an outdoorsy team-buildingevent or one where colleagues are likely towant to relax and let their hair downafterwards, don’t go for a more formal kindof venue. And vice versa.

Make a site visit. Go armed with a list ofwhat you require from the venue andensure you leave with all the necessaryinformation and explanation of facilities.Once there consider things such as thegreeting from reception and your salesrepresentative - your delegates couldreceive the same welcome), the overallfriendliness of all staff and parkingavailability - is it free?

Food for thought. Making sure your guestshave enough to eat and drink is critical. It’sworth, if possible, organising a tastingsession with the chef during your site visitto ensure the food is suitable and that themenu caters for meat eaters, vegetariansand all other dietary requirements.

Last but not least, location. Transport linkscan prove critical, so opting for somewherein a prime location with easy access if oftena key driver behind a choice of venue. Butthings get really interesting when it comesto choosing the type.

An unusual venue can turn a standardsolution into something about which peoplewill keep talking for months afterwards.

The range of options out there is becomingincreasingly varied and, in some cases,quite breathtaking.

Fancy planning your next product launchwhile sitting underneath Concorde beforehaving a tour of the iconic aircraft? It canbe done.

Bowl your clients over by meeting them atLords the home of cricket? Even better, wehave our very own catch in the region:Edgbaston Stadium which promises anequally unforgettable experience.

Make your event a racing cert at aracecourse. Aintree, for example, doesn’tjust host the Grand National, and, footballclubs are certainly scoring with manybusinesses nowadays.

Why not a conference afloat? Bristol hasthe iconic SS Great Britain and there’sHMS Belfast on the Thames but there’shundreds of different crafts and marinecentres across the land all ready to pipeyou and your delegates aboard.

Museums can be fascinating places forget-togethers - you could even find yourselftouching history by going somewhere likethe Churchill Museum and Cabinet WarRooms whose facilities include periodrooms and the latest AV facilities and airconditioning.

No matter where you hold your gathering,in the end the ones that really score arethose which then go on to provide aservice that goes above and beyond; whichwork closely with a client right from themoment of enquiry to well beyond theevent itself.

It doesn’t have to cost the earth either.The main thing is to find a venue that is agood fit with the style of your event and thepeople you're inviting, be it a hotel,conference centre and yes (they are outthere), even a zoo. Go get ‘em tiger.

33807 1pg_Transport Warehousing 22/01/2016 11:08 Page 1

51

The Grace RoomThe Grace Room auditorium is a large blank canvas that canbe used for large events, seating up to 650 delegates in theatrestyle or up to 300 and cabaret style. It also makes an excellentexhibition hall.

This room boasts comfortable upholstered seats, a full climatecontrol system, an impressive array of sound, lighting and audiovisual equipment, and makes the perfect venue to wow, entertainand communicate with your clients, delegates or staff. Due to thehigh specification of the lighting, sound and AV systems, we findmany of our clients simply arrive, set up and run. This savessignificant time, human energy and ultimately cost relative toalternative of bringing in external AV companies. Of course if youneed more, we can deliver more. What could you do with theGrace Room? The only limit being your imagination!

The Inspire RoomThe Inspire room can accommodate up to 200 people intheatre style or 120 cabaret style. It offers sweeping views ofCoventry city centre with gorgeous natural light.

It can be divided into two soundproof rooms, each with theirown installed projector and screen. In this configuration Inspire1 seats 120 and Inspire 2 up to 30 in theatre style. Inspire 2also makes an excellent break-out space.

The Welcome Centre is a purpose built conference andevents centre located in the heart of Coventry city inWarwickshire. The facility is truly excellent, featuringeight separate fully configurable and fully equippedrooms, the largest of which seating up to 650 delegatesquite comfortably. In fact, The Welcome Centre is one ofthe largest facilities of its kind in the Midlands, andbenefits from excellent transport links and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Welcome Centre is only an hour from London by train. It isjust a short drive from the Birmingham International Airport, andsits at the heart of the UK's motorway and rail network. WithinCoventry itself, the centre is within easy walking distance of therailway station and offer ample on site and nearby parking fordelegates arriving by car.

With cutting edge audio visual equipment installed throughoutthe building and free WiFi available throughout, The WelcomeCentre has everything presenters and delegates need to ensurean enjoyable, productive tome for all at your next event. Everyroom has controllable lighting and built in video projection andsound equipment. Their staff can set the equipment up andmore importantly provide technical advice and support. They can put a trained technician at your disposal for the day. This technical savvy and versatility is already attracting manylarge corporate clients, smaller and medium sized businesses,government organisations, members of the health andeducation sectors, not for profit organisations and charities.

Better yet, the staff is well trained and passionate aboutproviding top-notch customer service to every visitor everytime. Their motto is "Service with a smile, going the extra mile”and they live up to it in every way.

Address: The Welcome Centre, Parkside, Coventry, CV1 2HGTelephone: 0247 622 6064 Email: info@thewelcomecentre.co.uk

Find us on

33526_HorseWorld 30/07/2015 10:58 Page 1

52

two AA rosetterestaurants,Hathaway’s pub andample outside spacefor team buildingpursuits - not tomention thoserooms, more than100 in total,designed torecharge and refreshthe tiredest of business brains to the max.

Set in 54 acres of countryside,Lea Marston is just a shortdistance from BirminghamNEC, Birmingham InternationalAirport and the city centre, aswell as motorway links to allparts of the country, making itthe ideal venue in which to getdown to business.

But even better, corporatecustomers have a choice oftwo top-notch venues as theexcellence can be discoveredall over again at the LeaMarston’s sister Abbey Hotel,in Redditch.

Also AIM accredited, here can be found 11 flexible meetingrooms able to accommodate between two and 180 delegates,a dedicated event management team, modern AV equipment,free Wi-Fi internet access and plenty of free car parking.

Set in 175 acres of land, perfect for any outdoor activities, the100 en suite bedroom Abbey Hotel complements itsconference offering with a health club with indoor pool, ESPAspa, championship golf course, floodlit driving range,Bramblings restaurant, Tawnys Bar and Terrace.

A major transformation to Lea Marston Hotel underlines the factthat the Sutton Coldfield establishment means business when itcomes to providing the corporate best.

Already high on the ‘wanted’ list of conference organisers andbusiness travellers from across the West Midlands and beyond, thefour star hotel is getting ready to open 30 brand new bedrooms.

Destined to be unveiled in February, the air conditionedSuperior, Executive and Luxury suites with their warmcontemporary interiors, cutting-edge technology and littleluxuries will ensure guests will wake up feeling brand new,refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

The new facilities, represent a considerable investment by thefamily-run hotel’s management team and further complementand enhance its sought-after corporate services.

Already accredited by AIM,the Meetings IndustryAssociation scheme’snationally recognisedstandard for venues andservice providers in theUK meetings, conferencesand events industry,business customers canbe reassured andconfident of working with the Lea Marston’s dedicated professionalsat every stage of their meeting or event organisation.

With a conference centre offering 11 flexible meeting roomsthat can accommodate between two and 140 delegates, adedicated event management team, modern AV equipment,free Wi-Fi internet access and ample free car parking, the hotelis ideal for business needs large or small.

The offering is further complemented by a health club withindoor pool, Elemis spa, two golf courses, floodlit driving range,

HOTEL | GOLF | SPA GOLF & SPA

To find out more about business services,conference and events at either hotel, go to

www.leamarstonhotel.co.uk orwww.theabbeyhotel.co.uk Alternatively

telephone 01675 470 468 or emailconference@leamarstonhotel.co.uk

and 01527 406 600, email rob@theabbeyhotel.co.uk

33768_HorseWorld 06/01/2016 15:03 Page 1

53

Wensley

C O N C E P T | C R E A T E | D E L I V E R

Tel: 01564 742 465wensleygroup.co.uk

Wensley provide a full and comprehensiveconstruction and refurbishment service, with the facility to be able to manufacture both bespoke and mass produced joinery to newand existing clients, not just through traditionalcontracting methods of procurement but alsothrough partnering frameworks, design & buildand collaborative arrangements, each tailoredto specific client requirements.

Our Mission Statement“To become best within our industry, by investing an honest approach, understandingclient requirements and delivering quality projects without compromise”

For the Love of Beer

On Thursday 10th September, Purecraft Bar Birminghamwon Best Beer Pub in the Sky Great British Pub Awards,being described by the judges as “A modern beer-focussed pub with warmth and less edge.”

The first Purecraft Bar and Kitchen, which opened in March2014, represents three men’s shared passion for great craftedbeers, having been formed by Purity Brewing Company’s PaulHalsey, Simpsons’ chef-patron Andreas Antona and formerMitchells and Butlers director Martin Hilton.

It was in 2012 that the three men all with strong hospitalitybackgrounds decided to found the company with the intentionto match great crafted beers and ales with really excellent foodand great service.

The resultant modern bar has an industrial vibe, with strippedfloors, open ceilings and exposed brickwork, Martin said that

they were keen to work with the building and the result is a verysuccessful modern synergy. There is an open kitchen wherecustomers can watch food being prepared and interact with thechefs as they bring the dishes out when time allows.

When Great British PubAwards described themas “beer-focussed”,they were right; the barcarries a well-keptrange of 20 beers, ondraft, from kegs orcasks and a further 60bottled beers. WhilePurity Ales are wellrepresented, manybrews come from otherlocal suppliers and small craft breweries that may be hard tofind elsewhere. Martin told us that they are on a mission toencourage the creation of great new beer brands.

33719_HorseWorld 25/11/2015 13:45 Page 1

54

St Klare ReeceAssociates

� HRM@stklarereece.co.uk� www.stklarereece.co.uk

“Proud to be the HR functionfor Purcraft Bar & Kitchen”

Oak HousePriors HardwickWarwickshireCV47 7SN� 01327 264540

He told us that they even have some specially designedglasses, one for draft beer and a beer balloon which can hold ahalf or two thirds of a pint. He said that absolute cleanliness isreally important, even a little smear of grease can spoil theflavour or prevent the head from forming properly.

If you just fancy dropping in for a quick pint you will find awarm welcome and plenty of chat, whether you have come foran old favourite or to try something new, you won’t bedisappointed, these guys really know about beer.

If your curiosity istickled by so muchchoice and you wouldlike to try somethingdifferent, why not go fora beer flight, which is aselection of four 1/3pints of beer, this is theperfect way to try newbeers and expand yourcraft beer knowledge, whilst having a jolly good time! There isliterally something for all tastes at Purecraft Bar and Kitchen,after all, as they say,” Everyone has a favourite beer, you mayjust not have found yours yet!” You could have great fun trying.

It isn’t just about beerthough, they have somegreat malt whiskeys thatyou may not have tried,from the blend, MonkeyShoulder, to a couple ofsmooth single malts.Terrific wines too, including10 single grape varieties, 5white and 5 red, all

chosen with a view to quality and provenance. Cider drinkers willfind both draft and bottled while the designated drivers and othersoft drinkers are not forgotten with whole fruit nectars and a greatrange of innovative and traditional soft choices.

As far as possible allthe produce issourced locally fortheir original menuoffering classicBritish pub disheswith a modern twist.Meat is sourcedmainly from award-winning Leamingtonbutcher AubreyAllen, cured meats are from Worcestershire charcuterie ForestPig and cheeses come from Shropshire’s Mr Moyden’s, eventheir coffee is sourced from a Staffordshire roaster, Has Bean.

The menu features a delicious array of traditional (andsometimes not-so-traditional) beer food. Tasty sharing boards,bar snacks, including big pork scratchings, fish and chips,Birmingham-famous scotch eggs, pulled brisket buns, porkpies – the menu at Purecraft Bar and Kitchen has been craftedaround beer

On Sundays the place takes on a more relaxed feel with Brunchand traditional Sunday lunch offerings to go with the beer

The first Purecraft Bar and Kitchen has been a great successfrom the outset, and plans are well under way for more, thecompany are looking for another Birmingham site, has justexchanged on a site in Nottingham and expect to exchange inLeeds come February.

If this article has whetted your appetite, call in at 30 Waterloo St,Birmingham B2 5TJ, give them a call on 0121 237 5666, or formore information visit the web site www.purecraftbars.com

33719_HorseWorld 25/11/2015 13:45 Page 2

55

Meynell House, Ashbourne Road,Kirk Langley, DE6 4NF

01332 825704 www.worthbrothers.co.uk

Now available in Derbyshire – only at Worth Brothers Wines

01298 871435to discuss how our service

Caterers

The Derby Brewing Company is afamily run, award winning, craftbrewer and multi venue operator.

They offer a range of multi awardwinning craft beers combining greatheritage style beers and their own takeon the craft beer revolution. Theyoperate a range of award winning pubsand have recently acquired theKedleston Country House.

Paul Harris, Director, talked to us about the company, saying “Weare a family run business who love working with our passionateteam. For us it’s all about putting smiles on our customer’s faces,whether that’s brewing great mouth-watering beers, or creatingindividual venues with their own style and soul.

“Derby Brewing Co was set up in 2004 by my father TrevorHarris, widely regarded as one of major driving forces in thecraft beer revolution here in Derby, widely known as the Real Alecapital of the UK. Trevor was the first brewer of the modern erato brew in the city and due to his reputation the Derby BrewingCo went from strength to strength and I joined the business.

“Our initial strategy was to target our own outlets and supermarketlistings. Initial success came from major listings in ASDA, Tesco andCOOP, which was followed by the purchase of our first venue, TheBrewery Tap, which opened in June 2008 and was hugelysuccessful. This was followed by the opening of the Greyhound, inthe summer of 2010 which has proved very successful and ourhighest profile to date; our third site which opened in November2011, The Queens Head in Little Eaton, is our first village pub”.

Each venue is unique. The Tap, their first venue is a Beer and Spiritspecialist with over 75 beers, ciders and over 70 spirits combinedwith its own range of booze infused food. The Greyhound has aquirky street vibe with US and UK craft beers combined withgourmet burgers and street food. The Queens Head is a cosy villageGastro Pub offering great drinks and homely food, whereas theKedleston Country House is four in one, combining a Georgian Bar

with over 85 wines, craft beers and signature cocktails, a relaxedrestaurant offering classic locally sourced dishes with a twist, aboutique hotel and wedding venue.

In the space of 11 years the business has grown to anunrecognisable level, but remains very much a small familybusiness despite growing from the initial two employees, Paul’sparents, to over 110 employees across the brewery, head officeand four other sites.

Paul told us, “We are all reallyexcited about 2016, coupled withdriving the existing sites forwardthrough investment andrefurbishment and adding newvenues when the right sites becomeavailable, we have some reallyexciting plans for the brewery,building on the success of our newcraft beer range by developing newand exciting beers. “

www.derbybrewing.co.uk

Derby Brewing Company, The Greyhound, 75 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1FN. Phone: 07714088666

33748_HorseWorld 12/01/2016 08:58 Page 1

56

Let Edgbaston Stadium bowl you over!

Cricket is at its heart, and has been ever since it became hometo Warwickshire County Cricket Club in 1882, but it’s alsobowling people over by the variety and quality of its conferenceand events provision.

One of the country’s leadingsporting venues, the stadiumoffers bright, modern andversatile facilities forconference, banqueting,meetings, exhibitions,awards dinners, Christmasparties and match-dayhospitality.

Whether or not you choose to follow the cricket – recently thestadium has successfully hosted the ICC Champions Trophy, anInvestec Ashes Test Match and is the home of Finals Day,where Birmingham Bears famously won the NatWest T20 Blast- you can be guaranteed an impressive view of the ground,complimentary wi-fi and rooms flooded with natural light.

There are seven function suites available, the larger of whichcan cater for up to 800 people. Fewer numbers are comfortablyaccommodated in executive boxes, smaller suites and meetingrooms and there is also a wide range of cricket hospitalitypackages available.

But there are not only cricket matches taking place here.Edgbaston Stadium’s sophisticated and luxurious feel is popularwith couples and makes it one of the finest venues for civilweddings in the West Midlands - the perfect location for yourmatch made in heaven.

It’s also proved to be just the kind of place sought after by theLime Venue Portfolio. Edgbaston Stadium is proud to be partof this collection of fantastic, unique and unusual places thatare different from the ‘average’ conference, wedding andexhibition venue.

Located just 1.7 miles from New Street station and seven milesfrom Birmingham International Airport, Edgbaston Stadium iseasily accessible by road, rail and air - welcome news for thereally big conference organiser - offers in excess of 600 carparking spaces on site.

The last five years have seen demand for Edgbaston Stadium’soutstanding conferencing and events facilities go from strengthto strength, growing year on year.

The arrival of 2016 also marks the arrival of new CEO NeilSnowball, following the retirement of Colin Povey, andeverything looks set for the stadium to continue its winning run.

That includes the continued development of a strong SocialResponsibility policy that, in the last 12 months, has seen thelaunch of a number of community initiatives and events thatcollectively form the county cricket club’s communityengagement programme.

Yet cricket is at the heart of everything, indeed it is the sportingethoses which are used in all parts of the business that havehelped to make it a huge success. In 2016 Edgbaston willaccommodate England for two matches, the Royal London ODIagainst Sri Lanka (Friday June 24) and the Investec Test Matchagainst Pakistan (Wednesday 3 August).

For more details about Edgbaston Stadium’s suites and eventspackages, visit www.edgbastonstadium.com

Alternatively email enquiries@edgbaston.com or telephone0844 635 1902.

33762 QPD_HorseWorld 18/01/2016 16:48 Page 1

57

A Rugby company which hasdeveloped a product to helpbabies to sleep hassuccessfully raised funds tohelp its business grow.

Poddle Pod, is a weight activatedsnuggle nest, designed to give your babythe feeling of being cradled in your arms. Thereare two size variations, one suitable for newborns up toabout 6 months and the Toddle Pod for older babies up until about36 months.

Mum of five, Charlotte Marshall and her Mum, Susan Westoncreated the first Poddle Pod after Charlottes fifth baby camewith an automatic tilt switch that saw her carrying himeverywhere! Unable to put him down, without causing him tobecome upset and distressed, they set about trying to recreatea cuddle! And so, in 2012 the Poddle Pod was born.

After requests from friends and family, Charlotte and Susan set up asmall business working from home – which took off overnight.

In the space of just two years, the business now employs 7people, has expanded into stand- alone business premises,and won some prestigious baby awards, including awards fromRight Start and Mumii and is now exhibiting at Baby Showsaround the UK.

Charlotte and her team have been delighted by the warm responsethe product has generated and needed £30,000 to help thecompany produce enough products to meet the demand.

A familiar story emerged when despite having excellent salesrecords and feedback, she was advised by her accountant thatbecause Poddle Pod was relatively young she might struggle tosecure bank lending so she researched alternative ways tofinance her plans.

Charlotte’s research led her to look at a Crowd funding solution andshe approached LendingCrowd, one of the country’s foremost peer-to-business crowdlenders. After signing-up with the platform andpassing the rigorous credit and risk assessment checks, Charlottewas able to secure the funding she needed in just one month.

A delighted Charlotteexplained, “The business isgetting bigger and more

popular every day, and we’renow exhibiting at all the baby

shows across the country. It’sgot to the point where we can’t

afford to manufacture them at the priceit was costing us here in the UK and we

desperately needed extra funding to help satisfydemand. The banks haven’t been very forthcoming with us sowe had to look around for other ways to help us grow.”

The funding has also enabled the company to sell into majorhigh-street retailers as well as develop a wipe-clean versionwhich can be sold to the NHS.

For more information or to place an order please visitwww.poddlepod.com or give them a call on 01788 578570

LendingCrowd supports growingSMEs. Get a business loan quickly, at a rate that’s right for you.Call us on 0131 564 1600 to get started.

“Proud to support Poddle Pod UK Ltd”

w w w . l e n d i n g c r o w d . c o m

Shhhh It's Naptime...

33724 AP_HorseWorld 03/12/2015 12:03 Page 1

58

Brockhampton Estate asnapshot of rural life inHerefordshire. Brockhampton offers a snap shot of Herefordshire life and history in a nutshell.

Nestled into the Herefordshire landscape this peaceful and rural estate hasfarming at its heart. From the bucolic and pretty timber framed Medievalmanor house surrounded by its picturesque moat and the romantic ruins ofthe ancient chapel to the working woodlands which make up most of theestate Brockhampton is a place to be savoured. Let the peacefulatmosphere wash over you and feel the worries of the modern world fadeinto the background. Step back in time and follow the stories of the familieswhich founded and developed the Estate from its medieval origins through tothe modern farming world of the twentieth century.

The timber framed manor house is a delight, fulfilling many peoples’ idea ofthe quintessential English timber framed building with its lime washedexterior. Each room takes visitors to a different period in the Estate historyand shares what each generation was doing on the Estate. The manorhouse built in 1425 with its quirky moat and gatehouse built around 1530 isa unique and hidden gem which rewards visitors with a different aspectthroughout the year. The manor house is surrounded by orchards filled withtraditional damson and apple trees which brought the produce of the estateright onto the family doorstep and today provides a harvest for visitors topick their own fruit from the traditional orchards. Explore the sights, soundsand tastes of the countryside.

In the eighteenth century Bartholomew Lutley decided to improve the estateby introducing a formal parkland with ponds, lakes and gardens. Themajestic parkland views greet visitors as they arrive at the estate, otherelements from this time can be explored on the carriage rides walk whichfollows the course of the carriage rides that once criss-crossed the estate.Moving deeper into the estate are the woodlands which are host to manyrare and endangered creatures from mammals to insects. Visitors of all ages

can explore this wonderful natural environment along thenatural play trail which stretches along the aptly namedParadise Wood, there are also miles of other walks aroundthe estate suitable for all ages and abilities. Take anopportunity to tick off many of the 50 things to do beforeyou’re 11 ¾ on the natural trail play trail or just relax in the OldApple Store tea-room. For the more adventurous there aregeocaching trails and orienteering courses to explore in thehidden corners of the estate.

With delicious refreshments served in the Old Apple Storetea-room and also in the Granary shop and kiosk next to themanor house, Brockhampton is a place to refresh yoursenses and relax.

Whatever your interests Brockhampton has something tooffer whether it be for a couple of hours to take in the houseand refreshments or visit for a whole day and take in thewider estate and discover your favourite hidden corner of thisspecial place.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brockhampton-estate

33787_HorseWorld 12/01/2016 15:30 Page 1

T: 08000 807 809E: hello@bbpmedia.co.uk

www.bbpmedia.co.ukbbpMedia