New letting brings the power to Burton office development
Council ready to fine tune vision for the future of Greyfriars
Leicester-based manufacturer secures top prize
Michael Smith Switchgear has won a prestigious RoSPA Award for the eighth consecutive year – demonstrating a commitment to health and safety.
The Gold Medal Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is an internationally-recognised prize, judged by a team of health and safety professionals.
The standard demonstrates the Leicester-based manufacturer’s continuing commitment to excellence in its performance, policies, and procedures.
Managing Director Sean Smith said: “Keeping our teams safe is always the priority for us, so I’m proud that our ongoing commitment has been recognised with an eighth consecutive award.
“The fact that we’ve been awarded gold again shows how important it is for us to create a safe and modern working environment for our people.”
The RoSPA Awards is the UK’s largest health and safety programme. With almost 2,000 entries annually from over 50 countries, impacting over seven million employees, the programme offers a platform to those who demonstrate unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in health and safety.
Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “Workplace accidents don’t just pose financial risks and operational disruptions; they significantly impact the quality of life for individuals. This is why acknowledging and rewarding excellent safety performance is vital.
“Michael Smith Switchgear has again proved its unwavering commitment to keeping employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.”
The Access Group acquires engagement automation platform overhauling recruitment
The Access Group, a Loughborough-based provider of business management software to mid-market organisations in the UK, Ireland, the US and Asia Pacific, has acquired Elay, a multi-channel engagement automation platform.
Through this acquisition, Access Recruitment, a division of The Access Group, will be able to offer its customers a tailored approach to automation that is designed to overhaul recruitment workflows, automating routine tasks so that agencies can effectively build their workforce without needing more desks – putting their internal talent onto higher value-driving activities while letting technology do the more mundane ones.
The Access Group has a track record of acquiring cutting-edge recruitment technology innovations and strategically investing in them to integrate seamlessly within a unified ecosystem.
Acquiring Elay marks the next step in The Access Group’s AI and automation advancements within the recruitment sector, with its CRM automation already integrated with their Vincere CRM product and the chatbot functionality with Volcanic, the recruitment website builder.
Access Recruitment and Elay will offer customers a suite of features – collectively called ‘Access Automate’.
Christian Fleck, Managing Director at Access Recruitment, said: “Bringing Elay on board is an exciting step for Access Recruitment and this acquisition marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering unparalleled value to our customers.
“We know interest in AI and automation is at an all-time high for recruiters and we’re pleased to add another way for our customers to leverage these technologies today, building on our already live AI-led functionality like our bias analyser in Volcanic. We want to show recruitment agencies how they can use AI or automation today to grow their operations and ultimately win more business.
“Working with cutting edge tools like Elay underscores our dedication to bringing ready-to-use innovations to our customers – this acquisition will revolutionise recruitment outreach, helping our customers to capture more leads, deepen candidate-client relationships and accelerate revenue.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with Mehdi Este and the Elay team to make this integration as seamless as possible. From today, any customer on one of our Volcanic packages can benefit from complimentary chatbots, powered by Elay, and our broader customers can expect to see more of Elay’s functionality in their products soon.”
Mehdi Este, co-founder of Elay, added: “Since founding Elay in 2020, our mission has been to revolutionise the way recruitment businesses connect and engage with their clients or candidates. Joining forces with Access Recruitment represents an exciting new chapter in our journey, one that will amplify the impact of our solution and bring even greater value to customers.”
One bank closes as another opens in Oakham
Purpose Media helps Kappture hospitality technology firm
A Derbyshire full-service marketing agency has been praised for getting to the heart of the message after it built a new website for a firm which supplies hospitality technology to some of the UK’s most iconic venues.
Purpose Media, which is based in South Normanton, created the website for fellow Derbyshire firm Kappture, whose electronic point-of-sale and mobile payment software solutions are used by millions of people at hospitality outlets in stadiums, concert halls, universities and large companies each year.
Its products enable operators to receive orders and take payments via innovations such as mobile apps, EPOS terminals and touchscreens and among the venues using its technology are Celtic Park, home of Celtic FC in Glasgow, Croke Park in Dublin, the OVO Arena in Wembley and the AO Arena in Manchester.
Kappture is based in Little Eaton, near Derby, and had worked with Purpose before, but this time approached the company to overhaul its online presence.
The original site made much use of explaining the technology but Purpose identified a need to dig deeper to explore how the software and innovations worked to solve Kappture’s customers’ ultimate objective – to maximise revenue and to cut the time their customers spend queuing for food and drink.
This ensures that sports fans and gig-goers, who can order using their phones while sitting in their seats, can avoid missing the action because they are queuing to order a pint or food.
The technology also helps operators by using individual users’ data to personalise their experience and also uses existing data to enable operators to forecast cash flow and staffing requirements for their next event, helping them to reduce waiting times and increase revenue.
Matt Bonser, account director at Purpose Media, said: “We’d been through a brand profiling exercise with Kappture before and we knew the business inside and out, so when it came to building their new website, we knew the direction we wanted to go in.
“Their solutions make a huge difference in helping operators increase people’s spend and reduce queuing times and we brought that to the fore through the copy and the imagery, in line with the brand guidelines.
“We pride ourselves at getting to the heart of each client’s business and creating websites which clearly communicate the benefits that their products or service have for the end-user. We’re pleased and proud of what we have achieved on behalf of one of the major operators in the hospitality technology sector.”
John Murphy, digital marketing manager at Kappture, said: “Our previous website had served us well, but we wanted a refresh with a website that clearly explained who we are and what we do.
“Purpose Media understood us and our target audience perfectly and the site has made it clear how our products help hospitality operators, backed up by the technical information if they require it.
“It’s very clearly laid out and it’s easy to navigate, which is vital because our target clients occupy a variety of roles in a range of sectors, so it has to be able to explain what we do in straightforward terms.”
Traditional Japanese ceremony marks start of work on major facility at Northampton logistics park
Winvic Construction Ltd has been awarded a contract to design and construct the first industrial facility at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton for Yusen Logistics. Winvic, SEGRO and Yusen Logistics celebrated the start of the 1.2 million sq ft project with a Japanese Kagami Biraki ceremony.
The Kagami Biraki ceremony – or saki barrel breaking ceremony – is to bestow wishes for success and prosperity upon the new development; representatives from SEGRO and Yusen Logistics each hit the lid of a sake barrel with mallets and ladled out the sake into sake cups for the guests to enjoy. The ground was then officially broken, and attendees were given a guided tour of SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton.
The unit comprises 1,144,000 sq ft ground floor warehouse space and a 333,251 sq ft mezzanine; Winvic will also construct and fit out the 35,810 sq ft three-storey main office, which also has a roof terrace, and a single-storey hub office. It is designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating which will reduce carbon to net zero during the construction. An array of PV panels will be installed across the entire roof space of the warehouse and EV charging units will also be made available onsite to power Yusen Logistics UK’s all electric company car fleet.
At almost 1.2 million sq ft, the single storey warehouse will be Yusen Logistics’ largest global facility when completed in March 2025. The facility sits immediately adjacent to the 35-acre Strategic Rail Freight Terminal constructed by Winvic, enabling Yusen Logistics to provide their customers with rail freight solutions providing CO2 savings on inbound transport.
The facility has a haunch of 18 metres, 85 HGV docks and 10 HGV level access doors. Externally, Winvic will undertake all hardstandings and landscaping for the scheme including parking for 924 cars, 163 HGVs, 230 cycles and 34 motorcycles; of these, 185 will be for electric vehicles. The warehouse will also have its own security gatehouse, fuel island and lorry wash, a pallet storage area and waste/recycling area.
Danny Nelson, Winvic’s Head of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by SEGRO to construct the first industrial facility at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton.
“When it’s completed, we’ll have worked on the site for a total of four years, so I’d like to thank the SEGRO team for continuing to put their trust in us, as they did when creating SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway.
“Winvic previously constructed a facility in nearby Wellingborough for Yusen Logistics as the tenant, so we’re looking forward to working with them again and to illustrating our high standards. I have the utmost confidence in our experienced team to deliver the project safely and on time.”
Dan Holford, Head of National Markets at SEGRO, said: “We are incredibly proud to have attracted a world class warehouse and distribution operator like Yusen Logistics to SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton as the development’s first pre-let customer, where we will be working together to deliver 1.2 million sq ft of highly sustainable space.
“What makes this development truly special is how it will support customers to achieve their sustainability goals and net-zero ambitions, particularly through the delivery of sustainable buildings, a country park and the strategic rail freight terminal. Yusen Logistics’ decision to locate here is testament to this and we look forward to continuing our partnership with this exciting project.”
David Goldsborough, Managing Director from Yusen Logistics, added: “This new facility, sets a new logistics industry benchmark and emphasizes Yusen Logistics’ commitment to providing sustainable logistics services by 2030.
“We are proud to share our organisation’s Japanese heritage at the recent groundbreaking event and are excited to be a part of this project, which will help us to achieve our sustainability goals.”
Regional corporate heavyweight joins Rothera Bray
Rothera Bray has strengthened its team with the addition of corporate lawyer David Kaplan.
Recognised as an expert in his field and recommended by the Legal 500 as a Leading Individual, David brings nearly three decades of experience to the table.
David’s main areas of focus are general M&A, private equity and banking and finance. He has advised and continues to advise a broad spectrum of clients including owner managed business, overseas entities, listed companies and multi-national conglomerates.
He has a wealth of experience advising, in particular, manufacturing, IT (software and hardware), aerospace and healthcare businesses.
At Rothera Bray, David will spearhead the firm’s corporate endeavours in Derby, playing a pivotal role in elevating the Derby office’s profile and promoting its services. His appointment marks a significant milestone for Rothera Bray, as it ensures the presence of a corporate partner in each of its three city offices.
David said: “I am excited to join such an innovative practice and am looking forward to working with my fellow corporate partners in developing further Rothera Bray’s corporate offering in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, whilst at the same time increasing the reach of Rothera Bray’s other legal services in the Derby marketplace.
“My appointment shows Rothera Bray’s commitment to Derby, and we are very keen to continue with the expansion of the Derby office with further strategic appointments.”
Christina Yardley, CEO at Rothera Bray, emphasised the significance of David’s addition to the team, stating: “David’s wealth of experience and expertise will be invaluable as we expand our corporate offerings in Derby and beyond. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Rothera Bray family.”
Digital pharmacy swoops for Lincoln firm
Pharmacy2U, the digital pharmacy, has acquired The PharmPet Co, a Lincoln-based veterinary online pharmacy.
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, follows a partnership in November 2023, which saw the two brands come together to deliver prescriptions to pet owners more conveniently and cost-efficiently.
Established in 2019 by brothers Neil and Phil Younger, and their father, Keith, The PharmPet Co is a highly regarded and ethical provider of online pet medicines. The acquisition aligns with Pharmacy2U’s commitment to offering comprehensive consumer healthcare solutions and NHS prescriptions as it expands its portfolio to include pet health services.
The deal speeds up plans to give customers a holistic approach to healthcare, covering themselves and their pets in one place. Since the partnership last year, Pharmacy2U Pet Health has gone from strength to strength and Pharmacy2U has plans to further transform the prescription market at a time when owners are finding it increasingly hard to get a good deal from their vets.
The two founders of The PharmPet Co join Pharmacy2U to head up the pet health proposition.
Gary Dannatt, Chief of Staff at Pharmacy2U, says: “It’s rare to come across a business that has a strategy, service, and set of values so aligned with your own, that it’s easy to see how it will slot neatly into our existing proposition.
“Following a successful partnership last year it’s become clear The PharmPet Co is one of those cases. The founders have done a remarkable job of creating a service that pet owners across the UK find invaluable, especially during a cost-of-living crisis, and I’m proud to be bringing them into the Pharmacy2U family.
“We look forward to working together to deliver exceptional value and service to our customers, while offering a digital-first approach that allows our pharmacists to deliver expertise in medicine.”
Neil & Phil Younger at The PharmPet Co say: “With over 60 years of combined experience in the pharmacy sector we created The PharmPet Co with a vision to deliver veterinary-standard medication to the fingertips of pet owners, and are both excited to embark on this next chapter of growth as part of Pharmacy2U.
“The deal will allow us to continue doing what we love most, improving the lives of animals, while improving access to affordable and trusted medication.”
Pharmacy2U were advised by Squire Patton Boggs. The PharmPet Co were advised by Ward Hadaway.
Sweeptech acquires Leicestershire firm out of administration
The pre-pack deal completed by administrators from Alvarez & Marsal Europe involved the sale of a number of depots, saving 116 jobs. Not all Go Plant depots were sold, however, with some shutting, resulting in redundancies.
Martin Smith, CEO of Sweeptech, said: “We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Go Plant, which marks a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming a truly national waste management company. “This strategic move not only enhances our ability to serve our customers with excellence but also underscores our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.” “We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we integrate Go Plant into the Sweeptech family,” added Smith. “Together, we will continue to innovate, drive positive change and set new standards of excellence in waste management.”Healthcare services provider hails “improved performance against tough operational backdrop”
Totally plc, a provider of frontline healthcare services, corporate fitness and wellbeing services across the UK and Ireland, has reported “improved performance, against a tough operational backdrop,” in a new trading update for the 12 months ended 31 March 2024 (FY24).
This is despite a dip in revenue, with Totally anticipating, subject to audit, to report revenue for the period of £106 million, down from £135.7 million in the year prior. The Derby-based business, meanwhile, anticipates reporting EBITDA for the full year of £2.3 million, growing from £1.1 million in H1 24.During FY24, the group executed internal restructuring to right size the organisation in a difficult operating environment. Actions during the second half of the year delivered further reductions in overhead costs leading to a full year reduction in FY24 of £2.2 million and annualised savings of £3.5 million. FY24 exceptional costs incurred to achieve these cost savings are forecast to be £0.8 million.
Wendy Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer, Totally, said: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to stand alongside our healthcare colleagues to ensure the population can access the care they need when they need it.
“Our teams have worked tirelessly during times of unforeseen pressure with clarity and I am proud of the way Totally has approached these times and managed its own pressures without compromising quality.
“There is no doubt that the market continues to be difficult, and as commissioners have considered the actions required to move forward, we have also ensured that our house is in order. We have robustly addressed the cost base, which ultimately protects the services we deliver to patients, our workforce and long-term shareholder value.
“These cost savings supported our performance for FY24 and will continue to do so in future years. I am delighted to see new business opportunities emerging as we turn our focus to a return to profitability and growth.”
Record revenue and progress towards profitability for Light Science Technologies
Light Science Technologies Holdings plc, which comprises three divisions for controlled environment agriculture (CEA), contract electronics manufacturing (CEM), and passive fire protection (PFP), has hailed record revenue and “strong progress towards profitability” in its audited results for the year ended 30 November 2023.
Revenue grew 13.8% to £9.3m, up from £8.17m in the year prior. Meanwhile, the Derbyshire-based business reduced its loss before tax to £1.14m, in comparison to £2.72m last year.
The year also saw the company complete a successful £1.45m (net proceeds) fundraise facilitating product development and CEA IP protection. Furthermore, the firm acquired Tomtech and Injecta Fire Barrier’s trade and assets, creating the new PFP division.
Simon Deacon, CEO of Light Science Technologies Holdings plc, said: “We are very pleased to report significant operational progress in the period, with strong progress across all parts of the business delivering record Group revenues which exceeded internal management expectations.
“The CEM division continues to underpin Group revenue generation and present significant growth opportunities in new and existing markets, whilst the PFP and CEA divisions offer exciting, and potentially very lucrative, growth opportunities in the medium to long term.
“We move forward with a significantly strengthened corporate team and long-term global structural drivers that complement our business model. The Light Science management team is committed to growing a complementary portfolio of companies that is diverse, operationally self-funding, and delivers for its shareholders.”
Manufacturing slips back into contraction as output and new orders decline
Aye up, it’s GS on Ai on PR: By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Aye up, it’s GS on Ai on PR
Now, that’s what I call an initial effort! Which is nearly as HILARIOUS as the joke prompts I fed into ChatGPT this morning before I began this piece. I was even half tempted to let the mystery machine write some of this column as I am up against a deadline on a range of content from tequila and tax to insulated conservatory roofing and private investigators (I have a varied client portfolio). However, the chances of me risking that damage to my brand is tiny. Not because it would be particularly BAD in terms of how it sounded but because it would be perfectly mundane! That’s because it would not be ME and if you are a regular reader (hi mum), you would spot it a mile off and all of the equity I have created with a slew of pithy headlines, cheeky turns of phrase and crafty nods to regional dialects would be for the birds (or me ducks). On the shelf behind my desk is a HUGE jar of Marmite. NB: not a jar of yeast extract. It is unashamedly the Marmite brand because it serves to remind me to be myself, not “meh”-self. In a world where content can be squirted out of the Ai sausage machine with incredible speed, this extra special something is crucial because there is a secret ingredient in every prize winning product from an artisan and it is normally THEM. Imagine if you hired me to promote your business (go on, it’ll be fun and I’m pretty handy!). I can guarantee that within 5 minutes of us chatting about the business brand values I will be asking about YOU or about the founder, or the MD – I want to know the “face” of the business. That’s because I’m still a journalist at heart and us reporters think a little differently. Why? It comes down to a simple thing, people sell stories, not brands. Therefore, people should TELL stories, not brands. If I write “Virgin Atlantic” here, not one of you reading this just looked into the middle distance and thought “mmmm, Everyone Can Take On The World,” you thought about Richard Branson. Now might be a good time to remind you that I chaired a press conference for him a few years back, I might have mentioned that a few times! Now, in terms of global reach, his brand and profile might well be virgin on the ridiculous (sorry couldn’t resist) but to a journalist, he is still gold-dust. If the PR team wants to launch a new Virgin business, they have a word with Mr B. Now, he won’t be the person running the tactics and strategy (he’s a tad busy), but he will be the face and he will be at the press conference doing something cheeky and subversive. That’s his brand and by extension, Virgin’s. Today, I have 3 different clients to pitch across the property, financial and national business media. My opening line to my target reporters will not involve the business name whatsoever. It will lead with the relevant person to that audience from within those businesses and explain why they are relevant as much as the story angle. Try this little exercise. PR: “Would you like to hear from a business that installs conservatory roofing?” Journo: “Err…no.” PR: “Sorry, would you like to hear from a family firm that began 10 years ago at a kitchen table and now employs 124 people?” Journo: “Go on then.” NB: reporters rarely gush with excitement when pitched. Or what about this: Journo: “Looking for an expert on security from cyber and physical theft in the corporate world.” PR: I have ACME Ltd who are really good at this. They have X locations around the world.” Journo: *tumbleweed PR: Their expert on this used to be in the Royal Grenadiers.” Journo: The ones with the hats?” PR: Yes, the ones with the hats. Journo: Ping it over. Ai can be hugely effective if you struggle to get anything out there content wise or even as a starter for 10 but please remember, your secret sauce when it comes to branding, PR and getting noticed is not more sauce, it is more oomph. The world is getting noisier as content becomes easier but if you are going to be heard, sometimes it takes a whisper in the right ear. A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. See this column in the May edition of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.Clowes Developments raise over £2,000 at ‘ProperTee’ charity golf day for Derbyshire Mind
Off-market deal sees rubber and latex clothing producer expand
Phenna Group makes third ecological sector acquisition
Amazon to create new multi-million-pound fulfilment centre in Northampton
Neil Travis, Amazon’s regional director, told the BBC: “The East Midlands is an important region for Amazon, with more than 6,000 small and medium-sized enterprise selling partners, and I am delighted to confirm our ongoing commitment with this £500m investment in a new, state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Northampton.
“Amazon continues to invest in our buildings and innovative technology to provide our people with some of the most advanced workplaces of their kind in the world, ensuring their wellbeing while delivering for our customers.”
PJ Thory and Gemmix make quarry and concrete site acquisitions
East Midlands recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise revealed
“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”
The recipients from the East Midlands include: INNOVATION Halo Solutions Ltd – Nottinghamshire – Lifesaving software invented by counter-terrorism police officer, motivated to help after Manchester Arena bombing. Hygienex trading as HSG UK – Derbyshire – HSG’s revolutionary washroom innovation technologies significantly reduce water consumption, save money and improve the environment. Whitehouse Construction Co. Ltd – Derbyshire – A flood resistant door and gasket for domestic properties, providing a passive defence against water. Winbro Group Technologies Ltd – Leicestershire – High performance, flexible manufacturing system for machining; Turbine Blades, Hydrogen Fuel-Cells, Semiconductor and Medical parts. Zeeko Limited – Leicestershire – Innovative process and product range enhancing the established business and offering growth and diversification opportunities. INTERNATIONAL TRADE CMS Cepcor Ltd – Leicestershire – The leading supplier of aftermarket parts to crushing operations around the world. Devol Kitchens Ltd – Leicestershire – Beautifully made furniture and accessories designed and crafted in Britain. Doff Portland Limited – Nottinghamshire – Sale of environmentally responsible horticultural products to European hobby gardeners, and the agricultural sector. Global Brands Limited – Derbyshire – The leading independent producer and creators of remarkable, tasty liquids, enjoyed around the world. Halliday Lighting Limited – Nottinghamshire – Experts in exterior lighting solutions internationally for sports, ports, airports, and industrial applications. Heraeus Electro-Nite (UK) Ltd – Derbyshire – Global leader in the development and supply of measurement technology for the steel industry. Learn Well Trading Limited – Rutland – Delivering the best kind of open-ended, child-led, play-based learning, into homes and classrooms worldwide. Matrix Corp. Pvt Limited – Northamptonshire – Provider of high-purity non-ferrous recycled metals to customers in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. McGhee Investments Ltd – Derbyshire – Global specialists in the controlled manufacture, machining, recycling, testing and distribution of graphite products. NMS International Group Ltd – Leicestershire – NMS manages complex projects in difficult places. United Cast Bar (UK) – Derbyshire – Global leader in the production and international supply of continuous cast iron bar. Wrendale Designs Ltd – Lincolnshire – Leading supplier of beautiful quality design-led giftware featuring characterful illustrations inspired by the natural world. Zeeko Limited – Leicestershire – Zeeko continues to increase exports of its optical manufacturing technologies to the world’s biggest companies. PROMOTING OPPORTUNITY (THROUGH SOCIAL MOBILITY) Rockleigh Ltd – Northamptonshire – Rockleigh Ltd is providing life-changing opportunities for marginalised people. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ML Operations Ltd, trading as Midland Lead – Derbyshire – Sustainable manufacturer of recycled lead sheet – positively impacting on our team, community and environment. Commenting on the King’s Award, Halo Solutions founder and CEO Lloyd Major said: “Halo is in the business of protecting people and anywhere where the public gather, from train stations to football stadiums, festivals to universities and everywhere in between. It takes great communication and co-ordination of information and resources to keep the public safe at all times. The Halo system is the software that connects everything together to enhance public safety and security, which helps to protect everyone. “Winning the King’s Award for Enterprise is a stunning recognition of the hard work we do in this space as a British tech company, bringing innovative software to the operational environments that need it most. We have an amazing team who are dedicated and committed to public and crowd safety, enabling our clients to keep their public spaces, events and infrastructure safe and protected. “It was a fitting honour that Halo played a part in the safety and security aspects of the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and at the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.” James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar Foundries, said: “The team and I are over the moon. It is recognition for our continued product development and commitment to producing a high quality product that has enabled us to open new markets around the world and trade competitively internationally. “Having a King’s Award for Enterprise gives us a further platform to develop and grow the business internationally. There are exciting times ahead for United Cast Bar.” HSG founder and Managing Director Simon Rice said: “We are deeply honoured that our continued innovation in sustainable technologies has been recognised with The King’s Award. “This recognition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to reducing water wastage – enabling our customers to reduce their carbon footprint as well as saving them money and improving the washroom environment. “Although we are a relatively small company, we certainly punch above our weight in the industry and have some of the most prestigious venues in the country on our client portfolio. “It is therefore a huge honour to be able to display The King’s Award emblem on all our packaging and marketing materials and to fly the flag outside our offices in Pride Park.”