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Manufacturing SMEs in Greater Manchester invest almost £1M to adopt new technologies supported by £300k of funding in the first year of Made Smarter

Sam Whitear

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07/01/2020

Manufacturing SMEs in Greater Manchester invest almost £1M to adopt new technologies supported by £300k of funding in the first year of Made Smarter

Greater Manchester small and medium sized manufacturers have invested £1M to adopt new technologies, supported by almost £300k of funding, in the first year of the Made Smarter programme.

The Made Smarter North West pilot is working with SMEs to help them introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth.

This support for local manufacturing SMEs includes expert impartial advice and one-to-one support, digital roadmapping workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business, eight-month leadership and management training programmes offered in partnership with Lancaster University, as well as funded three-month student placements.

62 of the businesses supported with specialist technology advice, including 13 in Greater Manchester, have also secured matched funding, and with this support forecast to deliver an additional £52M in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy over the next three years.

SME applicants are developing projects involving the adoption of a range of industrial digital technologies, including Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), 3D-printing and robotics to solve business challenges across a range of manufacturing functions.

By adopting these cutting-edge technologies, these businesses benefit from improved productivity and revenue, increased exports and job creation, providing new skills to workforces, enhanced integration with supply chains and reduced environmental impact.

The latest Greater Manchester SMEs to secure funding include: MSM aerospace fabricators (Middleton); Suscom Industries (Wigan); BEP Surface Technologies (Radcliffe); W Howard Group (Astley); Heatsense Cables (Rochdale); Techtex (Middleton); Tibard (Dukinfield); Antonelli Brothers (Irlam); and Joshua Greaves & Sons (Ramsbottom).

Other businesses previously revealed to have secured funding include: Mackinnon & Saunders (Altrincham); Handrail Creations (Bolton); Pakeeza Dairies (Rochdale); and Fabricon Design (Ashton-Under-Lyne).

Donna Edwards, Programme Director for the Made Smarter North West pilot, said: “Over the last year the Made Smarter team has engaged with hundreds of makers from every corner of the region.

“We have found a great enthusiasm about the benefits of adopting new digital technology tempered by uncertainty of how to go about it.

“It’s clear that the SMEs need the specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business, how much to invest and which technologies will bring the greatest benefits.

“This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the region.

“Made Smarter is relevant for any North West SMEs employing less than 250 staff who make, create, manufacture or engineer. The interest we have received in the first year has been incredible. I urge local businesses to get in touch and find out how digital technology can transform their business.”

The £20M pilot programme was launched in November 2018, becoming operational in January 2019, and runs until March 2021.

The pilot will inform how best to support SME manufacturers in the adoption of new industrial digital technologies.

During its first 12 months a series of successful events in Greater Manchester have allowed Made Smarter’s team of expert advisers to connect with businesses operating in a wide range of sectors including engineering, aerospace, food and beverage, agriculture, steel, chemicals and textiles.

The North West pilot is being overseen by the Made Smarter Commission – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and industry leaders.

Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens and co-chair of the commission, said: “When we launched Made Smarter in November 2018 our ambition was to kick start a new industrial revolution for the manufacturing sector and turn the UK into a world leader in digital technologies.

“I am thrilled that so many manufacturers in the North West have grasped what I believe is a once in a generational opportunity to boost productivity, create high value and highly paid jobs of the future. Our task now is to scale this up and see what other regions can learn from the great work that’s already being done here.”

Manchester firm secure partnership with Australian Fintech giants to cap off a year of growth and investment

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06/01/2020

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Manchester firm secure partnership with Australian Fintech giants to cap off a year of growth and investment

Manchester-based Venditan, a technology business headquartered in the city centre, has partnered with next-generation, interest-free payment solution, Openpay, to become the UK’s exclusive first eCommerce software platform to offer the payment solution to UK retailers.

The solution, which has over 1,700 active merchants globally, allows consumers to use the payment solution for online purchases, using a soft credit check. Their go-to-market UK strategy involved looking for a technology partner who was providing eCommerce solutions to retailers already, something Venditan have been doing successfully for a number of years.

The agency has had a very busy 2019, investing heavily into the local Manchester economy, with plenty of new talent hires across technical development, software engineering, new business and marketing roles. This adds to the hire of a Non-Executive Director, former retail brand head at Manchester United and Ideal Shopping CEO Tony Sheridan, who joined the Venditan board in May.

New client wins include Force 4, the UK’s largest Chandlery business, luxury furniture retailer Nest.co.uk, Outdoor and Country retailer Allcocks and UK & US Craft retailer Makers Superstore.

“It’s been a very exciting year for the business”, says Director John Coyne. He continued; “Consumers now expect many different payment options, and we have spotted the trend of deferred payment platforms, and we want to offer that solution to our retail clients. Openpay’s success in Australia, and the quality of their solution, made the decision to work with them very straightforward.”

Andy Harding, UK Managing Director of Openpay, said: “By partnering with Venditan, thousands of customers will be able to benefit from our interest-free buy now, pay later service. We believe in flexible but responsible spending and hope to give customers more choice with their purchases.”

LWC Drinks purchases new £8.5m new site to support its continued growth

Sam Whitear

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06/01/2020

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LWC Drinks purchases new £8.5m new site to support its continued growth

LWC Drinks, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler, today announces that it has purchased a new 173,000 square foot unit, to support its continued growth.

The Galaxy 173 warehouse and manufacturing facility, which is based on the 496,584 square foot Chadderton site in Oldham, will go through a complete overhaul, including a new name, new design and new warehouse management system, before operations officially move to the site in the summer.

The Chadderton site is located just 10 minutes away from the current site in Openshaw, 10 miles from Manchester city centre, and 1.5 miles from junctions 20 and 21 of the M60, allowing distribution to flow in and out seamlessly.

The move means that The Hub and Manchester distribution will be operating out of a modern, innovative facility that is twice the size of the current site, and can cater to the company’s ever growing volume of stock and traffic.

Ebrahim Mukadam, managing director at LWC Drinks, commented: “LWC Drinks is thrilled to announce that it is relocating to a substantially larger site in Oldham. After another year of impressive growth, in which we outgrew our current site, the time has come to move to a site that provides the growth room we need, in an environment that will support and drive business efficiencies.

“The new Manchester Hub and distribution centre marks a huge moment in LWC’s journey, highlighting to staff and business partners how even in these uncertain Brexit times, business can still prosper, and industry demand remains strong.

“We look forward to welcoming colleagues and customers to the new site next year.”

The business, which turned over £345m year ending September ’19 – a growth of 15% on the previous year – has enjoyed continued growth over the past five years and forecasts a steady 10% growth for the next year.

The company estimates that total costs for the move will equate to 12million.

Northern private equity deals jump 17 per cent in 2019

Blog

Sam Whitear

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06/01/2020

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Northern private equity deals jump 17 per cent in 2019

Private equity deals in the North of England rose by 17 per cent in 2019 with 46 completed transactions, compared with 39 in 2018.

The latest figures from the Centre for Management Buyout Research (CMBOR), sponsored by Equistone Partners Europe and Investec Specialist Bank, show that while the overall number of deals increased in the North, the total value of the transactions dropped significantly from £2.5bn in 2018 to £1.3bn in 2019 – a fall of almost 50 per cent.

However, the research reveals that the North is climbing the ranks when compared to its regional counterparts, accounting for one quarter (46) of total UK deals (186) this year, after having contributed just 18 per cent in 2018.

These figures are made up of a number of significant deals in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humberside. These include the sale of the UK’s leading independent holiday home provider Sykes Cottages by Livingbridge, to private equity firm Vitruvian Partners in October for £375m and Macquarie’s public-to-private acquisition of Premier Technical Services Group for £300m. Braveheart Investment Group also completed the purchase of the £112m remaining shares in scientific instrument company Paraytec.

Andi Tomkinson, Partner at Equistone Partners Europe, said: “While the overall volume of UK transactions fell again in 2019, this is perhaps unsurprising considering the recent unstable economic outlook, and it is encouraging to see the volume of Northern deals climbing to rival those in the South.

“With the general election over, it will be interesting to reflect on how this impacts investment in 2020 – this may lead to a jump in both value and volume of deals in the North and the UK as a whole.”

Investec’s Dan Sheahan commented: “Although the market has been waiting for political clarity and certainty, strong, promising companies are still able to find buyers. The North of England contains a wealth of promising companies, attracting capital not just within the UK, but from overseas too, particularly in the tech sector. As the UK’s political future becomes more certain, this is only set to grow.

DIT North West hosting 15th annual Greater China Awards

Sam Whitear

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06/01/2020

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DIT North West hosting 15th annual Greater China Awards

The Department for International Trade (DIT) North West is encouraging businesses across the region to enter the Greater China Awards 2020 and earn recognition for their achievements in this constantly evolving market.

Now in their 15th year, the awards celebrate companies or organisations in the North West who have made significant contributions to developing business or relationships with mainland China, Taiwan or Hong Kong, including bi-lateral trade, investment and education or community links.

One winner and one runner up will be chosen in each of the following categories:

The China Business Award (for companies which have had links with Greater China for more than three years)
The China Rising Star award (for companies relatively new to the market, which have had links with the region for less than three years)
The China Education Links Award (for Universities, Higher Education Institutions and businesses offering training and education links to Greater China)

Entries must be received no later than Wednesday 8 January 2020.

Judges will be looking for evidence of a direct link between Greater China and North West England, as well as measuring the impact of each entrant’s China strategy on the overall success of their business.

The winners will be announced at a celebratory New Year dinner to welcome the Chinese Year of the Rat held on Friday 31 January 2020 at The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays.

For more information visit: http://bit.ly/gca2020entry

Paul Stowers, Head of UK Regions North West said:

“We are delighted to be welcoming Richard Burn, HM Trade Commissioner for China, as our keynote speaker at the Awards for a second year, recognising the importance of the Greater China trading relationships to North West companies. The introduction of direct flight services from Manchester has played an important role in further strengthening international trade between China and the North West. Despite China’s phenomenal pace of change, cultural and knowledge exchange continue to enhance the appetite for trade and investment on both sides, something the Greater China Awards 2020 are keen to celebrate.”

Call for ambitious Greater Manchester creative businesses to join new Creative Scale-Up programme

Sam Whitear

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19/12/2019

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Call for ambitious Greater Manchester creative businesses to join new Creative Scale-Up programme

Creative industry businesses in Greater Manchester who are looking to grow and attract investment are being given the opportunity to join an innovative new programme that is set to further boost one of the region’s fastest growing sectors.

The Creative Scale Up programme, launched by GC Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company and fully funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is designed to support Greater Manchester’s creative industry businesses to successfully scale up.

With a vibrant community of more than 8,500 creative businesses, generating £4.1 billion of economic growth annually, Greater Manchester boasts one of the country’s leading creative clusters outside of London.

The programme will provide bespoke business support tackling gaps in investment and growth in the sector, while empowering creative businesses to realise their full growth potential. It will provide the training and tools necessary to take creative businesses to the next level.

The initiative is one of three UK wide two-year pilots (the others being in the West of England and West Midlands), is fully funded by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and is being delivered by the Hub.

Helping business leaders realise their ambition, successful applicants will have the flexibility to choose how to learn with the module-based curriculum including:

Access to mentors who want to share their experience, sector expertise and best practice

The opportunity to work alongside dedicated and industry-seasoned Hub Advisors to support each business’s growth journey which includes one-to-one dedicated support tailored to the individual business

A programme of interactive workshopsto discover the different types of finance and investment available and explore what potential investors will expect to see, in terms of businesses planning and strategy

Connections with investors following completion of the Creative Scale-up programme businesses will be given the opportunity to connect with appropriate investment opportunities

The workshops will focus on eight business areas which are key to investment readiness, including the organisational structure and leadership required for growth, winning an investment pitch, developing a two-year growth strategy and sales and marketing skills required for rapid growth.

Creative businesses with a minimum of eight staff (including freelancers) who are already growing or are looking to grow from any of the following categories can apply:

Creative Content (Film, TV, Radio, Gaming, AR, VR Businesses)
Creative Originals (Design, Fashion, Jewellery Businesses)
Creative Services (Marketing, PR, Architecture, Publishing Businesses)
Creative Experiences (Museums, Galleries, Performing Arts Organisations)

Creative Industries Minister Nigel Adams said: “Our creative industries are a world-renowned success story contributing over £100 billion to our economy.

“We want to ensure the sector continues to thrive, and this new programme will help businesses in Greater Manchester scale up. Not only will this provide a boost to the local economy it will also create jobs and unlock new opportunities for the local community.”

Sam Whitear, Creative Industries project manager at GC Business Growth Hub, added: “This is a remarkable opportunity for the creative industries in Greater Manchester to build on what already is a thriving industry.

“Greater Manchester has recently been named as the second most creative city in Europe, with an estimated gross value added (GVA) revenue impact of £1.4bn to the city from culture and creative industries.

“We are delighted to be launching this targeted programme to support and further grow creative companies. Applications are now open, and I encourage all qualifying creative businesses that wish to benefit from this dedicated support, to apply for the programme.

“However, you need to be quick as places are limited and demand is expected to be high.”

To apply for the programme, visit the GC Business Growth Hub website.

Ylem Energy Appoints Business Development Director

Sam Whitear

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17/12/2019

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Ylem Energy Appoints Business Development Director

Flexible energy generation specialist, Ylem Energy Ltd, has appointed Jon Feingold – former commercial director of Gazprom Energy – to head up the Salford-based company’s business development activities.

Jon Feingold’s arrival as business development director, comes at a time when Ylem Energy is rolling out an ambitious programme of expansion. This includes further development of its own portfolio of natural-gas-fuelled flexible generation plants, large-scale battery energy storage systems and helping industrial and commercial clients to optimise their sites’ energy systems.

For more than thirty years, Ylem Energy has been at the forefront of independent power generation and helped pioneer the generation of electricity from landfill and anaerobic digestion gases. Whilst still very-much active in these sectors, the company’s move into flexible generation has been a logical step and one that has enabled it to further utilise its enviable skill set to provide competitive advantages that benefit its clients.

Ian Gadsby, Ylem Energy’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jon into the team at such an important time in our company’s growth. His impressive track record, insight and experience gained from developing businesses in the UK energy sector will be a great asset to our company’s plans.”

“This is perfectly demonstrated by him having been a founder of Pennine Natural Gas Ltd, a company that quickly established itself as the UK’s largest independent supplier of business gas. It was subsequently acquired by the Russian energy giant Gazprom, where it continued to grow and become one of the largest suppliers of gas in the UK.”

Jon Feingold, Ylem Energy’s new business development director, commented: “I am really pleased to be joining Ylem Energy. The team has exciting plans for growing their already-impressive business. The company’s advanced flexible generation and storage technologies, coupled with an unrivalled engineering and commercial capability will undoubtedly play an ever-increasing role in helping the UK’s grid to decentralise and encourage the integration of more renewable energy generation capacity.”

Leading Bury Creative Agency Wins the Double at The Talk of Manchester Awards

Sam Whitear

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16/12/2019

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Leading Bury Creative Agency Wins the Double at The Talk of Manchester Awards

Think Design is celebrating after scooping two gongs at the prestigious ‘Talk of Manchester’ awards (TOMs).

The leading creative agency, based in Bury, won Best Brand Agency and Best Search Engine Visibility beating off stiff competition from agencies across the region.

The TOMs, which are in its fifth year, celebrate and reward exceptional businesses based in Manchester and the region.

Paul Grogan, managing director of Think Design said: “I’m so proud that we walked away with two awards at the TOMs. The fact that we were nominated and voted for as part of a public vote means so much to us.

“As an agency we have grown significantly over the last 18 months with incredible client wins and new members in our team. To end 2019 with these amazing awards is the real icing on the cake for us and we can’t wait for 2020!”

Think Design is an award-winning creative branding and digital agency based in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Its services include brand positioning and design, marketing communications design, website design & development, and digital support post-launch including SEO.

Schools across Greater Manchester & Cheshire raise over £14,000 during Airport’s Dragons’ Den activity

Sam Whitear

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16/12/2019

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Schools across Greater Manchester & Cheshire raise over £14,000 during Airport’s Dragons’ Den activity

A group of six pupils from Priestnall School are celebrating after securing the first prize in Manchester Airport’s annual Dragons’ Den competition for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The group’s selection of Manchester worker bee tote bags, Christmas cards and badges impressed a panel of Dragons including representatives from the Airport, Singapore Airlines, Enterprise Rent a Car, John Lewis & Partners and Macdonald Hotels.

They raised £7,037 for their chosen charity, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and will be rewarded with a VIP night out including limousine transfers from their school to Salford Quays, a meal out and tickets to SIX the Musical at the Lowry.

Other winners included Fred Longworth High School (Tyldesley), whose eco-friendly reusable metal straw, sold through a website set up by the pupils themselves, delivered success in the Most Innovative category. The King’s School, Macclesfield, scooped the award for Best Presentation. Each team member from both schools will receive £20 in shopping vouchers as their prize.

The victors were revealed in a gala event at Hilton Manchester Airport yesterday. Each group was given the chance beforehand to present a summary of productivity, finance and lessons learnt as a result of the experience.

Priestnall School Headteacher, Craig Burns, said: “We are thrilled for our pupils who have worked incredibly hard to develop and deliver their vision.

“They have learned important lessons, built their skill sets and gained invaluable experience along the way.

“We hope they enjoy their prize and are thankful to Manchester Airport for organising this competition and giving them this opportunity.”

Ten schools from across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire took part in the challenge, generating a hugely impressive £14,135 for good causes between them.

Teams were tasked with developing a product or business idea, pitching and gaining a £100 grant from Manchester Airport to get it off the ground. They then had seven weeks to turn a profit, with the help of a mentor.

Helen McNabb, Community Relations Lead at Manchester Airport, said: “We are now in the eleventh year of this competition and the range and quality of ideas produced never ceases to amaze us. It was wonderful to see such creativity on display and our judges had some tough choices to make.

“Our annual Dragons’ Den activity is part of our wider educational outreach programme, where in the last year we have engaged with more than 13,000 pupils.

“We hope that all pupils who took part this year gained knowledge and skills that will stand them in good stead for their future careers.”

One team had a particularly memorable experience in this year’s competition, with a visit to Old Trafford for a workshop and a helping hand from a number of Manchester United first-team players.

The group from Manchester Enterprise Academy were supported by the Manchester United Foundation in delivering their business idea, which involved making letter-shaped wooden decorations.

United players including Phil Jones, Mason Greenwood, Fred and Tahith Chong crafted their own decorations and signed them for the team to raffle off. They were ultimately able to raise £843 for their chosen charity, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

David Bell, Principal at Manchester Enterprise Academy, said: “We’re very proud of our pupils’ efforts and this has been a thoroughly unforgettable experience for them. They have learned skills that they will be able to apply through the remainder of their studies and beyond.

“We’re grateful to Manchester Airport for the opportunity to take part in this competition and to the Manchester United Foundation for all of their support.”

Rebecca Newton, Head of Communications at the Manchester United Foundation, said: “The players really enjoyed meeting the group, finding out about the project and supporting their initiative, however all the credit should go to the pupils of MEA.

“They were wonderful ambassadors for their school and set very high standards in the quality of their work – this included telling the players if they made any mistakes when they decorated their own Christmas letters!

“The Foundation has followed their incredible journey and will soon release a short video showing highlights of their Dragons’ Den experience.”

The full list of schools that took part and their products are as follows:

Wellington School (Altrincham) – Christmas Eve ‘hampers’ for children including a hot chocolate spoon, make-your-own bauble and ‘reindeer food’.
Manchester Enterprise Academy (Wythenshawe) – Christmas decoration: wooden initials, painted and decorated in Santa costume
Stretford Grammar School – laser-cut wooden tea-light holders
Stockport Grammar School – chocolates in a variety of flavours
Alder Community High School (Hyde) – Yankee candle in a glass container with Manchester worker bee symbol
The King’s School, Macclesfield – Christmas stockings with a selection of stocking fillers including handmade chocolates, air-pod cases, chargers and phone covers
Priestnall School (Stockport) – Manchester worker bee tote bags, Christmas cards and badges
Alderley Edge School for Girls – personalised laser-cut keyrings
Wilmslow High School – scented soaps and handmade fudge
Fred Longworth High School (Tyldesley) – metal drinking straws in a protective fabric bag

For more information on Manchester Airport’s Community Relations programme, visit https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/community/.

Two new partners for Brabners’ fast-growing Manchester team

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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16/12/2019

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Two new partners for Brabners’ fast-growing Manchester team

Growth continues with increasing pace for Brabners with the appointment of two new partners, Stephen Hadlow and Piers Dryden, to its corporate team based in the firm’s Manchester office.

As well as further strengthening Brabners’ leading corporate practice, the appointments add to Brabners’ already significant expertise in the tech sector.

Stephen has more than 20 years’ experience in the North West advising UK corporates and high-growth tech firms on strategic transactions and mergers and acquisitions. He also advises on corporate disposals to employee ownership trusts, a growing trend in exit strategies for business owners. He joins from Knights plc, having previously held partner roles at Turner Parkinson and JMW.

Piers’ appointment marks the establishment of a new FinTech regulatory practice at Brabners covering a broad range of FinTech sub-sectors. Having worked at firms including Slaughter & May, Debevoise & Plimpton and Ogier, Piers advises on a broad range of FinTech matters, including: blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) utilisation; digital asset issuances; alternative payments services; and smart and automated contract implementation for businesses. He also has extensive experience of corporate advisory matters as well as investment fund formation and maintenance.

Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “Growing the practice based in our Manchester office is one of our key strategic objectives, which has seen us increase the size of our partnership in the city by more than 60% since the start of the last financial year.

“Growth in Manchester’s FinTech sector in particular continues to outpace all other parts of the UK, so it’s imperative that we build on our offering to further support those high-growth businesses operating out of the city region, as well as further afield. Piers’ experience in particular opens up whole new practice areas for us in what we believe will be a truly unique offering in the North West and with national reach.”

The appointments come after Brabners ranked top in the Legal 500 table of North West law firms, secured three rankings in the Times’ Best Law Firms 2020 and announced another year of sustainable profit and revenue growth.

The firm generated turnover of £33.6million in the year to the end of April 2019, up from £33.1million the previous year, and invested over £1.8million to boost growth as part of its three year change programme.

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