Reconomy Group acquires Newark-based UK Waste Solutions

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Reconomy Group acquires Newark-based UK Waste Solutions
Reconomy Group, a global circular economy specialist providing sustainability technology, data and services to a broad range of industries, has acquired UK Waste Solutions Limited. UK Waste Solutions Limited has enjoyed significant growth in recent years and now has 3,500 customers. Headquartered in Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK Waste Solutions Limited are sustainability consultants and managers who specialise in supporting clients across the hospitality, distribution, transport, facilities management, manufacturing and construction sectors. Through its flagship Novati brand, it works with many well-known and highly respected brands, including Marston’s, Prezzo, Roadchef, Network Rail, CBRE and Birmingham Airport. The acquisition of this fast-growing, profitable business and the foremost independent waste broker in the UK includes all four of UK Waste Solution Limited’s primary brands (Novati, AMA, Click Waste UK and Evolution) and its 160 employees. It further strengthens Reconomy’s market-leading position in the commercial waste sector as the biggest technology-enabled, outsourced resource management solution in the UK. UK Waste Solution Limited’s offering across a broad range of sectors and industries is highly complementary to Reconomy’s existing business, deepening its capabilities and footprint within this vertical to better service new and existing clients. The transaction follows the acquisition of Denmark-based green-tech business Combineering in February this year. Reconomy Group recorded revenues of over £1 billion through FY 2022 across its 30 offices worldwide and is one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing businesses operating in the circular economy, waste management and sustainability sectors. Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome the UK Waste Solutions Limited team to Reconomy Group. It is a great fit with our business due to our shared commitment to developing closed loop solutions that will accelerate the shift towards a more circular economy. The transaction is consistent with our ambitious plans to grow both organically and through further acquisitions in the UK and around the world.” Michael Benton, Managing Director of Recycle Division at Reconomy Group, said: “UK Waste Solutions Limited has a track record of delivering an excellent outsourced service and will be a valuable addition to the Recycle Division at Reconomy Group. “Its customer-led approach aligns perfectly with our values and deepens our capabilities. It increases our joint offering in the commercial, industrial and construction industry to deliver economic and environmental benefits for businesses, providing an unrivalled, added-value outsourced alternative.” Max Kanda, Managing Director at UK Waste Solutions Limited, said: “Reconomy Group’s commitment to innovation in the circular economy and well-established footprint across the UK market will strengthen our combined growth, as we will be able to offer a wider range of services to our joint customer base. “We are excited to become part of one of the UK’s largest and fastest growing companies at a critical period for meeting the challenges of resource scarcity through technology- and data-led closed loop solutions as the adoption of the circular economy becomes increasingly central to how we do business globally.”

73% of manufacturers predict an increase in sales turnover by Autumn 2023, despite economic challenges

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73% of manufacturers predict an increase in sales turnover by Autumn 2023, despite economic challenges
Manufacturing CEOs, directors and managers reveal the industry’s future growth and investment priorities in the latest UK Manufacturing Barometer by SWMAS (The South West Manufacturing Advisory Service). Whilst firms reported that supply chain price changes (89%) and energy costs (82%) are causing the greatest negative impacts for manufacturing businesses, the number of firms struggling with inflation has reduced by 4% compared to last quarter’s findings, indicating early signs of relief. Manufacturers are taking action to address rising costs by implementing process efficiency improvements (66%) and considering the use of different suppliers (61%). As a direct cause of rising supply chain costs, 17% of manufacturers plan to bring production back in-house. Despite these ongoing challenges, the manufacturing industry’s investment plans are optimistic. More than half (52%) of respondents are experiencing increased levels of trade compared to their pre-covid position. Furthermore, 44% of manufacturing organisations have experienced an increase in sales turnover in the past six months, with 74% predicting a further increase in sales turnover over the next six months. Nick Golding, Managing Director of SWMAS, says: “The increased optimism around future sales is positive. However, with firms continuing to invest in inventory to buffer challenges with supply chains, and a third of respondents indicating customer orders are being delayed or starting to be cancelled, companies need support to ensure that planned future investments are not constrained as a result of cash being tied up in inventory which is then affected by order cancellations or delays.” When looking at skills shortages, 72% of manufacturers agree the lack of suitably skilled staff is still causing a negative impact to business, resulting in a shift in priorities to invest in employee training and upskilling, as reported by 68% of firms. Nick continues: “With increasing calls for an industrial strategy for manufacturing, support for the sector is needed to respond to increasing international competition. “With the US launching the inflation Reduction Act and the EU responding with subsidy support for growth sectors such as green technologies, the government needs to support manufacturing to avoid the UK missing out on these huge opportunities for growth. “Many SME companies are part of global supply chains, but with the majority of firms focused on the domestic market, it is vital that the UK attracts major investors for these future growth industries to support the wider manufacturing sector. “The government is repeatedly talking about Advanced Manufacturing as a subset of the sector, but this does not recognise the significant capabilities and investments that SMEs are making in automation, digitisation and systems, to create advanced manufacturing production systems. “Advanced Manufacturing is not a subset of the manufacturing sector as a whole, but is underpinned by a growth mindset of the leaders of manufacturing firms who invest in the latest technology to remain competitive. “The latest figures show that the majority of firms (52%) are looking to increase capital investment in the next six months – and anything that can be done to provide support to a sector which is vital for both domestic security and supply can only be a good thing. “Previous Barometer surveys have repeatedly highlighted that the number one request for support is a government-backed manufacturing scheme to recognise the industry and help drive this forward. It would be a good start to recognise the investments being made and treat these firms as advanced manufacturers. “Support from government could help in terms of changing the mindset towards the industry, supporting attraction of staff into the sector and driving further economic growth through increased confidence in UK manufacturing.”

GGTech levels up with NUEL acquisition

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GGTech levels up with NUEL acquisition
NUEL, the Nottingham-based organiser of Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports, has been acquired by esports company GGTech Entertainment. The strategic acquisition will see NUEL become the office for GGTech’s operations in the UK & Ireland, increasing its core activities in university esports as well as planning and delivering an array of grassroots esports and gaming activities. NUEL will continue operating under its name but with an increased focus on player-facing brands associated with each project – for example UNIVERSITY Esports. The senior leadership at NUEL will also remain with the company, with founder Josh Williams leading GGTech’s global UNIVERSITY Esports program. David Jackson will continue as Managing Director of NUEL, and Peter Cole will continue as head of product. A board of directors has been created which will oversee NUEL’s operations – this board will include GGTech senior management as well as Josh Williams and David Jackson. NUEL now has direct access to the resources and expertise of GGTech, which has experience of delivering top-tier events on a global scale. As a result, the company can deliver more and better experiences for players in the region, as well as offer more opportunities for early career professionals trying to make their way in the industry. With a solid track record of delivering grassroots esports activities, the acquisition provides NUEL with the potential to not only grow in the UK & Ireland, but also make a valuable contribution to GGTech’s global activities. NUEL and GGTech have collaborated extensively in recent years, including work on Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports in the UK and Ireland, and the Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports Masters, the marquee international university esports competition in Europe. Together, the two companies are closely aligned and share similar visions to support grassroot esports and build gaming communities. Staff and students involved with NUEL have already had opportunities to work on GGTech’s international projects – including travelling out to GGTech’s facilities in Alicante to work on some of GGTech’s flagship events such as the TFT Dragonlands Championship – and this move will further expand these opportunities and facilitate progression for staff and players. José Parilla, CEO and founder of GG Tech, says: “As a company, we’re continuously looking for ways to develop and expand our services around the world. Partnering with NUEL enables us to not only enhance experiences for players and staff, but also share our commitment and excitement for the esports industry across the UK.” “Since we began in 2010, our mission has been to widen access to esports and create memorable experiences for players, as well as providing meaningful opportunities for people to further their careers,” said NUEL founder Josh Williams. “We have been working with GGTech for years now, they share our commitment to these goals, and I’m excited for us to embark on this new stage in our journey as part of GGTech.”

Derbyshire employee raises over £1,800 for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of much-loved cousin

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Derbyshire employee raises over £1,800 for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of much-loved cousin

A 25-year-old Derbyshire company employee with very little running experience took on the challenge of the London Marathon in aid of a highly valued teenage cancer charity, in memory of her cousin who died at only 15 years old.

Georgina Gilbert is a product manager at chemistry company Lubrizol at its UK headquarters in Hazelwood. The London marathon was her first ever race, with Georgina going from beginner runner to taking on the prestigious event in the space of a few months.

Georgina was inspired to take on the huge challenge to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which was one of the charities which supported her family through the illness of her cousin Emily, who sadly passed away aged just 15 in December 2021, from complications of a rare condition – only months after she had been diagnosed.

Georgina said: “Emily received treatment on the Teenage Cancer Trust ward at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. The charity provided a comfortable space, resources and support for the whole family.

“Emily was able to benefit from the support in many practical ways. The charity supplied Leicester Royal Infirmary with a purpose-built ward for 13 -24 year olds. The room that Emily was able to use as an inpatient and a day patient was equipped with comfortable soft furniture, TV and gaming facilities. They also provided laptops and Wi-Fi specifically for the teenagers on the ward. “It’s impossible to comprehend how very poorly a young person can become very quickly until it happens to your family. Every step of the way Emily’s parents and siblings were supported to make what was an awful time so much easier for them. “Life probably will never be the same now Emily has gone. You see these stories in the news about young people getting ill, you never really expect it to happen to your family.”

Georgina entered the ballot for the London Marathon after the passing of Emily and was amazed to have won a place having done very little running, much less enter any race.

She said: “Originally when I entered for a ballot place, I wasn’t expecting to get a spot – friends persuaded me to put my name in. When I found out I had been selected for a ballot place I knew I had to do it. It was an amazing opportunity that not many get the chance to do.

“I hadn’t done any running previously. This was the first race I’d entered. I followed a 16-week training programme and I’d dedicate my weekends to running, plus two runs during the week. The training was difficult but I knew it would be worth it.

“It was a massive commitment to train for something like that. Days when I am in the office I commute from Leicester to Derby – a two hour round trip. There were times when I would get home and not want to run, but you have to. It does teach you about discipline.  

“It was an amazing experience. It’s definitely something I won’t forget. It was really hard, but so worth it when I passed the finish line. Family and friends came down and were cheering me on, which really got me through it to be honest! I’m really proud of myself. It proves that if you put your mind to something, you can do anything. You can go from beginner to running a marathon.”

Georgina said she has been very grateful for the support from Lubrizol in providing a generous donation to her run for the Teenage Cancer Trust, through its charities and communities committee, as well as from Lubrizol colleagues, many of whom have sponsored her too.

She said: “I’m very grateful for Lubrizol’s support. It was a really inspiring day. It really put things into perspective for me that everyone has tough things they are dealing with. Reading the media can be very negative but in reality, there are a lot of very kind people out there.”

Claire Hollingshurst, from Lubrizol’s charities and communities committee, said: “Georgina’s achievement in completing the London marathon for such a very worthy cause is completely inspiring, especially as she was only a beginner runner at the start of her training. We were very proud to be able to support her donation through our charities committee.”

Georgina has raised nearly £2,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Donations to her fundraising are still open via this link: 2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/georgina-gilbert

‘All change: The Castle Line’ – major Nottingham to Lincoln rail plans revealed

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‘All change: The Castle Line’ – major Nottingham to Lincoln rail plans revealed
Today (Thursday 25 May) marks the launch of plans to boost speeds along the Nottingham to Lincoln rail corridor. Midlands Connect is submitting a Strategic Outline Business Case to The Department for Transport, calling for an £18m investment to improve journey times. A report titled ‘All change: The Castle Line’, details proposals to make train travel more attractive, reduce car dependence and benefit the local economies. Currently just 10 per cent of journeys between Nottingham and Lincoln are taken by rail, but if these plans get the go ahead, trains will increase from predominantly 50mph to 75mph throughout the route. CEO of Midlands Connect, Maria Machancoses, said: “This is an important connection between two major urban areas, and our plans for investment represent the first step in encouraging more passengers to use the trains. “We recognise the need to make train travel more attractive and help people transition to sustainable transport. “Our purpose is to create a fairer, greener and stronger Midlands. Faster connections between our towns and cities will bring a boost to the area for all the residents, businesses and visitors.” Karl McCartney, MP for Lincoln, said: “I’m pleased to see these plans being submitted, improving train travel times will inevitably benefit both Lincoln and the entire Greater Lincoln area. I look forward to seeing this scheme progress.” The plans have been developed with the support of Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Lincolnshire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnerships. Network Rail and local train operator East Midlands Railway (EMR) are also key stakeholders in the process. Midlands Connect recommends proposed milestones for work to start in April 2026, and complete in Summer 2028.

Deal struck for prime Derby riverside site

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Deal struck for prime Derby riverside site

Wavensmere Homes has struck a deal for one of the final plots of development land within the newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter in Derby city centre. The Birmingham-headquartered housebuilder has exchanged contracts for the vacant site – located off Full Street – with Wilson Bowden Developments.

The site was initially earmarked for an office development of up to 100,000 sq ft, but it will now be brought forward by Wavensmere Homes for an apartment scheme, benefiting from a vibrant location along the River Derwent, with views of the 16th Century Derby Cathedral and its 212 ft tower. Also lying adjacent to the site is the Museum of Making at the restored Derby Silk Mill, which re-opened to the public in 2021.

Phase One of Wilson Bowden’s Full Street development includes; the refurbishment of the Riverside Chambers office complex; delivery of 46 new apartments at Number One Cathedral Green; and a Premier Inn hotel. A planning application for the next addition to the multi-million-pound Cathedral Quarter will be submitted by Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden, in consultation with Derby City Council and a range of stakeholders.

James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “This site is one of the best located within Derby city centre, with rich views of the Cathedral Quarter and the River Derwent. Derby is a walkable city, and the significant investment in the public realm has seen it become a vibrant and cosmopolitan place to live, work, and visit.

“There is an increasingly strong appetite for city living here, and the development of this vacant site will transform a local eyesore into a high quality, architecturally designed building that adds significant value to this prized and popular part of the city. We look forward to working up our plans over the coming months.”

Wavensmere Homes will incorporate the latest green energy features into the design for the new homes, to enable a high EPC rating to be targeted. The development proposals will also be compliant with the new Part L building regulations. The designs for the Full Street site will promote sustainable development through the use of low carbon materials, modern methods of construction, and renewable energy generation.

Henry Henson, development manager for Wilson Bowden Developments, said: “We have selected to partner with Wavensmere Homes, as the team has a strong understanding and track record of the requirements of Derby’s city residential market. We are very proud of the cluster of new buildings we have delivered within the Cathedral Quarter over recent years and look forward to working with Wavensmere Homes on the plans for this project, which will complete the jigsaw of this prime Derby city centre location.”

Hike in liquidation debts a warning for East Midlands businesses

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Hike in liquidation debts a warning for East Midlands businesses

A sharp month-on-month hike in the number of debts held by East Midlands companies in liquidation should sound alarm bells for the region’s business owners.

The warning follows research from the Midlands branch of R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, which shows that the quantity of debts owed by liquidated firms in the region shot up by almost a fifth (18%) last month [April 2023].

R3 Midland’s figures, which are based on an analysis of data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe, also show that the number of late payments to East Midlands companies remains high at 23,744, although this April statistic is a marginal 0.54% decrease on the previous month’s figure of 23,872.

The current challenging trading conditions also appear to be affecting entrepreneurial spirit in the region, with the level of start-up businesses in the East Midlands falling by 16.7% in April to 2,335 from 2,803 in March.

R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome, a director at law firm Thursfields in the region, said: “The huge challenges of our volatile business economy are impacting heavily on the region’s companies, which means it’s imperative for business owners to monitor their finances carefully and plan for all eventualities.

“It’s crucial that at the first sign of significant cash flow difficulties, relevant professional advice is taken. When R3’s members are called in to help early enough, there is a significant amount which can be done to rescue and support local businesses beyond traditional insolvency solutions.

“It can be helpful to know that R3 members offer a free initial consultation to those who are looking for support and wish to explore their options.”

Derbyshire industrial investment property sold

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Derbyshire industrial investment property sold

Commercial property consultancy Burley Browne has completed the off-market sale of an industrial investment property in Derbyshire.

A 40,000 sq ft modern industrial/warehouse unit adjacent to Hearthcote Road, Swadlincote, has been acquired by a private property investment company. 

The transaction involved a sale and leaseback to Burley Browne’s unnamed client at an agreed sale price in excess of £3 million, reflecting a net initial yield of approximately 7.7% after costs. 

The property includes a warehouse which benefits from an eaves height of 8.5 metres with two level access loading doors. It incorporates a reception area leading on to a boardroom and showroom. To the first floor there are additional offices with a personnel lift. It sits within a total site area extending to 2.04 acres with ample parking together with a yard which is accessed via a secure barrier entry system.

Ben Nicholson, senior associate director at Burley Browne, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to secure the sale and leaseback of these well-presented premises on behalf of our client. 

“Following receipt of instructions, we commenced off-market negotiations with parties during a difficult and uncertain economic period in the last quarter of 2022. Despite the uncertainty, this sale clearly demonstrates that the market remains buoyant and that industrial warehouse investment opportunities still command confidence, generating competing bids from potential buyers. 

“We are delighted that we were able to secure completion of the sale in a well-managed time frame to avoid any disruption to our client’s business operation.”

Final teams confirmed for epic football final in support of UK emergency services

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Final teams confirmed for epic football final in support of UK emergency services
After a second successful season, the 2023 Motor Source Emergency Services Football League finals are to take place on Sunday 4th June 2023 at Broadhurst Park Stadium, home of FC United of Manchester. With 96 teams taking part this season across three competitions including Women’s League, Men’s Open Age League and Veteran’s League, it has been an exciting season for all. After a combined total of over 400 hours of football played through 270 games and over 850 goals scored, through to the celebrated finals day are: Women’s Final – West Midlands Police Vs London Fire Men’s Open Age – North Wales Police Vs Thames Valley Police Men’s Vets – London Fire Vs Met Police The Motor Source ESFL was set up in 2019 by two Detective Constables who work for West Yorkshire Police, Andy Smurthwaite and Pete Overton, with the aim to bring together the police service, the fire service, the NHS and the prison service in a competitive UK wide league and the only league of its kind in the UK! It was during the duo’s involvement in the running of the West Yorkshire Police Team that they realised how limited fixtures were and the difficulties in arranging games. Each of the respective Emergency Services have their own competition but surprisingly there were none that brought the 999 community together. From here the idea of the Emergency Services Football League was born! Founder Pete Overton said: “Our original aim of the Emergency Services Football League was to help improve the health and wellbeing of those individuals serving in the UK’s emergency services.” Title sponsors of the league, Motor Source Group offer new car discounts for Emergency Services personnel, saving them on average £6,019 each on their new cars, and have been supporting the ESFL from its initial days. CEO Steve Thornton said: “It is well documented that Emergency Services professions, although rewarding, are highly stressful roles with significant risks associated with their undertaking, and so when we heard about the aims and benefits of the ESFL we knew instantly that we wanted to help and support.” The Motor Source ESFL Final matches will be played on Sunday 4th June at Broadhurst Stadium, and will welcome supporters of the teams taking part as well as the local community from in and around Manchester. Everyone is welcome! Ladies ESFL Final, 12:00 kick off Mens Open Age ESFL Final, 15:30 kick off Mens Veterans ESFL Final, 19:00 kick off Tickets are just £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under 16 and you can watch all three final matches included in your ticket! Get your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/MotorSourceESFLFinal  

Multi-utility services provider secures £7m facility to support working capital and future growth

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Multi-utility services provider secures £7m facility to support working capital and future growth
OakNorth Bank has provided a £7m working capital facility to TriConnex and eSmart Networks to support working capital and future growth. Previously part of AIM listed Nexus Infrastructure plc, TriConnex is a provider of multi-utility services, including electricity, water, gas, fibre and EV charging, and eSmart Networks, and is a fully accredited Independent Connections Provider, delivering the decarbonisation of the UK transport and energy systems. Established in 2011 and with offices in Essex, Leicester and Bristol, TriConnex works closely with residential developers and SME housebuilders to offer end-to-end multi-utility solutions. Recently launching their new Grid Dynamix Service, TriConnex are further set to support developers in finding, capturing, and keeping the electrical connections they require for their live project pipelines. Also founded by experienced business leader, Mike Morris, eSmart Networks design, supply, and install EV charging infrastructure, including grid connections, charger installations, civil engineering components, and battery storage solutions. In addition, the business connects solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources to the electricity network, whilst also designing and building the on-site high-voltage electrical infrastructure required to get these renewable energies to the grid. Both companies were acquired in February 2023 by FitzWalter Capital, the global private investment firm, from Nexus Infrastructure plc. Alan Martin, Chief Financial Officer at TriConnex and eSmart Networks, said: “TriConnex and eSmart Networks have built-up very strong reputations within the UK’s utility industry. The recent acquisition by FitzWalter Capital is a testament to the two businesses and their successes over recent years. We were drawn to OakNorth as we required a specialist lender with experience in the sector and one that could provide us with a credit line that fitted our specific needs.” Stuart Blair, director of debt finance at OakNorth Bank, added: “This transaction presented us with an opportunity to support both TriConnex and eSmart Networks alongside a successful equity fund to enhance their future growth plans. With the UK’s utility market set for significant growth over the coming years, driven by the government-led Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, both TriConnex and eSmart Networks are in a perfect position to capitalise on this tailwind.”

Local businesspeople become ambassadors for Safe and Sound

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Local businesspeople become ambassadors for Safe and Sound
Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity, Safe and Sound, has recruited more local people to help raise awareness of the dangers facing vulnerable children and young people. Entrepreneurs Persha Ward and Nadia Jane Asamoah as well as University of Derby lecturer Bev Crighton and marketing specialist Claire Morrison have become official ambassadors for the charity. Mother-of-two Persha Ward runs her own business administration business S&A Management and was supported by Safe and Sound as a teenager. Nadia Jane Asamoah runs Nadia Jane Performing Arts in Green Lane, and Derby, where hundreds of young people – boys and girls – have trained over the years in a wide range of dance and performing arts disciplines. As well as lecturing in Business Management at the University of Derby, Bev Crighton is currently employability lead in the education department at Derby County in the Community Trust (DCCT) as well as deputy chair of Erewash Partnership and an active member of the DCFC women’s board. And Claire Morrison helped Safe and Sound raise its social media presence whilst previously working for digital marketing agency, Creationz. They join the existing team of ambassadors: Derbyshire actor Molly Windsor, local business woman Amanda Strong and child exploitation survivor Louise Murphy-Fairclough. Safe and Sound Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said: “Our ambassadors have an important role in our work to raise awareness of the dangers facing children and young people both online and in our local communities. “Talking about child sexual exploitation is not an easy conversation but our ambassadors doing an incredible job to spread the word about the issue and the work of Safe and Sound in their own networks. “We are extremely grateful for their support and I also hope that raised awareness will also encourage more groups, businesses and individuals to support our Butterfly Appeal so that we can further expand the range of support available for young people across Derbyshire and their families.” Nadia Jane Asamoah continued: “Our dance and performing arts school is one big family and many of the young people feel able to talk to me about things that are happening at home or at school. Parents also confide in me about any concerns for their own children’s wellbeing. “We have so much synergy with Safe and Sound and I jumped at the chance to become an Ambassador. As well as raising awareness, it is good to have access to an established network of professionals who can offer additional support to young people that we come in contact with if needed.” Bev Crighton added: “I firmly believe that everyone – but particularly those in education and business leadership – need to understand the issues that affect our local communities and know about the support that is available. “Having been an active member of the local business community for many years, I hope that more people will feel comfortable to engage in talking about these issues so that, together, we can make even further inroads into creating a greater understanding of the dangers that face children and young people.” And Persha Ward, who was groomed as a teenager, concluded: “The support I had from Safe and Sound was amazing. They helped to open my eyes to what was going on, taught me to respect myself and gave me the support and strength to realise that I deserved better. “I have been determined that my experiences as a teenager would not define my whole life. When I was 13 I didn’t think I was worth anything and certainly would not have thought that I could have gone on to have two wonderful children and my own business. Those days were a chapter in my life and now I have turned that page. “My message to young people – whatever their experiences – is therefore to listen to the people who can help – which in my case was Safe and Sound.”

Swedish group acquires Northamptonshire compressed air distributor

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Swedish group acquires Northamptonshire compressed air distributor
Northamptonshire-based Maziak Compressor Services, a distributor of air compressors, nitrogen generators and process cooling equipment as well as related services and support, has been acquired by Atlas Copco.
Maziak, which was founded in 1958 and employs 40 people, will continue to operate as a stand-alone company within the Atlas Copco Compressors UK division of Atlas Copco UK Holdings Ltd, under the Maziak brand name and the current senior management team, for the foreseeable future. James Maziak said: “I’d like to thank all the amazing people inside and outside the Maziak business, for their support over the last 32 years as we have built such a successful business on the foundations laid by my mother and father. “Becoming part of Atlas Copco Compressors UK, with its focus on interaction, innovation and commitment, will propel the business forward to deliver even more for our people, our customers and the environment.” Founded in Stockholm, Sweden 150 years ago, Atlas Copco is a global market leader in compressed air solutions and has been present in the UK for over 100 years. They offer a broad range of air compressors, air blowers, industrial gas generators, vacuum pumps, process cooling solutions and related services.

Notts County Cricket Club launches initiative to reduce carbon emissions at Trent Bridge

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Notts County Cricket Club launches initiative to reduce carbon emissions at Trent Bridge
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club has partnered with sustainable cup specialist Event Cup Solutions to provide the most environmentally responsible reusable cup solution at Trent Bridge this season. Event Cup Solutions, the company behind the ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System, will provide the ground with its unique solution for the 2023 season, enabling the club to reduce their carbon footprint further.The ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System encourages spectators to return their cups to specialist bins located throughout the stadium, ready for Event Cup Solutions’ on-site team to collect, prepare and return to the company’s state-of- the-art wash facility in West Bromwich, where they are put through a specialist wash and drying process preparing them for the next match. Michael Temple, commercial director at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, said: “As a venue of considerable size, and with another busy summer ahead, we’re fully aware of our responsibility to minimise our environmental impact – and it’s a responsibility we’re determined to rise to. “This year, we’ll welcome hundreds of thousands of cricket-lovers through our gates once more, and we’re sure that our members and supporters will share our desire to stage our sporting summer as sustainably as possible. “The ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System will allow us to dramatically reduce our plastic usage, without compromising the first-rate matchday experience that we have become known for.” John Reeves, director of Event Cup Solutions, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Nottinghamshire CCC has embraced the concept of our ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System and committed to rolling it out throughout Trent Bridge over the coming months.  “We estimate the club will use in excess of 400,000 cups over the course of the 2023 season. Our aim is to make it easy for visitors to return the cups by providing collection bins which will be positioned in easily accessible and visible areas of the venue.  “We hope this is the beginning of a strong partnership with the club. We’ve enjoyed excellent results within the football, rugby, horse racing and motor sports sectors, and it’s fantastic to have Nottinghamshire CCC leading the way within the cricket world.”

Leicestershire-headquartered building materials supplier snaps up Telford firm

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Leicestershire-headquartered building materials supplier snaps up Telford firm
Leicestershire-headquartered building materials supplier, Aggregate Industries, a member of the Holcim Group, has further bolstered its operations with the acquisition of Besblock Ltd., a supplier of precast materials to the Midlands construction industry. The acquisition of Telford-based Besblock will see Aggregate Industries expand upon its existing products with the introduction of a range of technically niche and sustainable building blocks, and enable closer working relationships with large and medium sized housebuilders across the Midlands. The acquisition will also provide further growth opportunities outside of the region. Through its two manufacturing facilities in Telford, Besblock currently produces around 1.7 million m² building blocks per year, equating to approximately 250kT. Its products include the industry-leading Star Performer block, a sustainable and multi-purpose on-site solution, with recycled aggregates and 24 % less material than a solid block. The business has strong sustainability credentials, with its fleet of lorries one of the most efficient in the country and with the recent installation of a new 1.65MW biomass boiler and renewable energy system, which will see the business become carbon neutral when operational. Dragan Maksimovic, CEO of Aggregate Industries UK, said: “The acquisition of Besblock Ltd is an important milestone in our journey as we strive to become the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable construction materials and solutions. “Besblock has invested heavily in sustainability in recent years and its market-leading product range has strong synergies with our own. We’re delighted to be able to enhance our products and capabilities with the acquisition of this progressive and market-leading business.” Andrew Huxley, Managing Director at Besblock Ltd., said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a business in the last 50 years; particularly of the investments we have made in sustainable solutions, both in terms of products and practices. We’re excited to continue to expand the business and continue our sustainability journey with the support of Aggregate Industries.”

Streets Chartered Accountants prepares for its charity golf day, new roles, sponsorships, and more

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Streets Chartered Accountants prepares for its charity golf day, new roles, sponsorships, and more

Metal recycling specialist makes duo of new appointments

Tess Egginton
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Metal recycling specialist makes duo of new appointments
Midlands-based metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has made two new additions to its commercial team with the appointment of Mick Roots as national construction manager and Kieron Shanks in the newly-created role of senior bid-manager. These two new hires underpin Ward’s commitment to continuous investment to meet the needs of its ever-expanding customer base while realising the firm’s ambitious growth targets. Both appointments will be based at Ward’s head office, Donald Ward House in Ilkeston, where they will join the commercial team, reporting into Heather Foo, head of Purchasing (Metals) and Sales (Waste). Working within the waste team, Mick brings 25 years of sector experience and will be responsible for developing Ward’s customer base of key national and regional tier 1 construction contractors. Establishing strong working relationships and identifying opportunities against project pipelines will be a main focus, as well as working in partnership with customers to identify requirements and align with Ward’s offering. Kieron brings nine years of bid management experience to the business and will be responsible for increasing bidding capabilities and driving the bid function for Ward’s entire offering, supporting growth through the tender process. Following on the back of its Queen’s Award for Excellence in International Trade success last year, Ward has already implemented several strategies to meet its future aspirations, including refurbishing its processing operations at Ilkeston, implementing site improvements across its nationwide locations, expanding its FORS Gold accredited vehicle fleet and developing its teams through training, development and recruitment. Heather Foo, head of Purchasing (Metals) and Sales (Waste), said: “It is great to have Mick on board to further enhance the waste team and the wider business. His experience and passion shines through and we are very pleased to have him as part of the Ward family. “The business is equally thrilled to welcome Kieron to the team, who will have a key role in expanding the business through the bid process. This is a new role for Ward and one that will see the business grow through focusing on winning work through tenders. With Kieron’s experience, knowledge and enthusiasm, we are excited to see this develop.”

Rolls-Royce drops part of carbon capture operation

Tess Egginton
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Rolls-Royce drops part of carbon capture operation
Rolls-Royce is to drop part of its carbon capture operation, as the firm’s CEO looks to cut costs and the company’s transformation programme moves at pace, according to Sky News. Reports indicate that Rolls-Royce is to end work on creating a direct air capture product, transferring workers to other roles. Insiders speaking to Sky News however said that the business would continue to work on a government-funded research project focused on direct air capture. In January (2023) Rolls-Royce’s new CEO, Tufan Erginbilgic, gave an unsparing critique of the engineering company, saying it will not survive without transforming how it operates. This month (May 2023) the Derby firm has hailed making “good progress,” with its financial performance “improving,” with Erginbilgic saying this reflects positive changes driven by Rolls-Royce’s transformation programme. Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic said: “We are transforming Rolls-Royce into a high quality and competitive business with a strong balance sheet and growing profit, cash flows and returns. We are already benefitting from the actions we are taking as well as recovery and growth in our end markets.” He added: “Work on the transformation programme is moving at pace. Our increased focus on efficiency and simplification is helping to keep costs down and has already identified savings, for example the closure of our R2 Factory venture. We are encouraged by the early progress of our commercial optimisation and working capital workstreams, with positive results expected to build as the year goes on. Our strategic review is on track and as previously indicated, we will communicate the findings and medium term targets in the second half of 2023.”

Frasers Group sets sights on cycling specialist

Tess Egginton
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Frasers Group sets sights on cycling specialist
Shirebrook-based retail giant Frasers Group could be on the verge of buying the stock and intellectual property assets of ProBikeKit from THG, according to reports from Sky News. The acquisitive company is said to be in advanced talks to buy the cycling brand, with the potential for a deal to be finalised and announced this week. Sky News says the acquisition is expected to be handled through Frasers’ Evans Cycles subsidiary. The deal follows news that THG is to close or sell off a number of its non-core subsidiaries.

Forterra’s new Desford brick factory opens

Tess Egginton
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Forterra’s new Desford brick factory opens
Forterra’s new Desford brick factory in Leicestershire has officially opened. With a total investment of around £95 million, the new factory has been commissioned to grow capacity, improve cost efficiency, and boost sustainability. Once at full capacity, the Desford factory will be able to manufacture 180 million bricks per annum, enough to produce 25,000 new homes and provide customers with an additional 120 million domestically produced bricks compared to the old factory’s previous output. On a company-wide scale this increase in brick production capacity represents a growth of around 22%. The new factory incorporates state-of-the-art innovations with sustainability mechanisms, robotics hardware, and advanced packaging solutions, which streamline its production processes to be as efficient and sustainable as possible while satisfying the ongoing demands of customers. As a result of these changes, the bricks produced at Desford will have a carbon footprint approximately 25% lower than those from the old factory. Neil Ash, CEO of Forterra, said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Desford factory, which represents a significant milestone for Forterra. This new factory’s impressive production capacity demonstrates our commitment to meeting the ongoing demands of the housing sector in our mission to Keep Britain Building. “At the same time, our innovations at Desford have streamlined our operations to ensure that our production is as efficient and sustainable as possible, so that we can satisfy customer demand whilst still being on course to meet our ambitious ESG targets. “Indeed, the Desford factory is the latest in a series of investments and developments Forterra has made over the past year towards becoming more sustainable and efficient, including a solar farm, a new eco-fleet of trucks, and new packaging solutions which place us a step closer to achieving our goal of attaining a 50% reduction in single-use plastics by 2025. “We’re thrilled to open the biggest, most efficient brick factory in Europe, and look forward to Desford’s productive future.”

Record half year sales for Topps Tiles

Tess Egginton
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Record half year sales for Topps Tiles
Topps Tiles, the Leicestershire-based tile specialist, has witnessed record half year sales in the 26 weeks ended 1 April 2023. According to the firm’s unaudited consolidated interim financial results, sales hit £130.3 million, up 9.3% year on year, driven by “nationwide store coverage, world class customer service, and strong omni-channel capability, with average sales per store up 30% compared to 2019.” The company also reported strong results in Online Pure Play brands, with exceptional sales growth in Pro Tiler Tools. Group gross profit, meanwhile, was up 2.7% to £68.7 million. Adjusted profit before tax, however, dipped to £4.4 million from £7.1 million, following “adverse exchange rate movements and the impact of inflation on operating expenses.” Rob Parker, Chief Executive, said: “As we mark our 60th anniversary, we are pleased to be reporting record first half revenue for the Topps Group, reflecting our successful development and diversification as we strengthen our position as the UK’s leading tile specialist. “Our Topps Tiles brand delivered a further period of robust like-for-like sales growth, with Pro Tiler Tools achieving another exceptional performance, to maintain its strong track record since acquisition in 2022. “As expected, our first half profitability reflects the impact of inflation year on year, including significantly increased energy costs, and a number of other one offs. These effects are now reducing or will reverse in full in the second half, underpinning our confidence in a much stronger profit performance in the balance of the year. “Our strong trading, when combined with our successful strategy, world class customer service, leading product offer and strong balance sheet, gives us increasing confidence in our outlook. We remain confident that we are on track to hit our 20% market share target ahead of schedule.”
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