Saint-Gobain’s assets from closed Holwell foundry to go under the hammer
Saint-Gobain PAM UK has appointed NCM Auctions to manage the complete clearance of its Holwell foundry facility in Melton Mowbray. The Doncaster-based auction and asset management company will also oversee the asset recovery of the entire foundry complex.
The historic Holwell foundry, established in 1881, has been a significant part of Melton Mowbray’s industrial heritage for over 140 years. The facility specialised in manufacturing access covers and gratings for the water and sewage industry until its recent closure, with production operations being moved to a sister facility in France.
NCM will execute a comprehensive site clearance program at Saint-Gobain’s Holwell facility. The program will combine careful decommissioning with optimised asset value recovery through an auction.
This online auction will feature an array of specialist foundry equipment, including overhead cranes, weighbridges, lathes, milling machines, compressors, conveyors, racking and many other items.
Amy Rutherford, Partnership Lead at NCM, said: “This contract award from Saint-Gobain represents a significant milestone for NCM Auctions and reinforces our position as a trusted and leading partner in industrial site clearances.
“Saint-Gobain’s commitment to sustainability is truly commendable. By auctioning off a wide array of specialist equipment, they support the local community and businesses and ensure that valuable resources are recycled and reintegrated into the circular economy.”
The collection will be sold via an online auction with lots ending from 1pm on Thursday 20 February. NCM will also be considering private treaty sales for the disposal of these assets.
Proposal raised to create Loughborough Town Council
A proposal has been made to explore the creation of a town council for Loughborough following the Government’s publication of the English Devolution White Paper.
The white paper outlines the Government’s intention to create elected mayors, strategic authorities, and reorganise councils in two-tier areas like Leicestershire, replacing county and district councils with unitary authorities.
At a full council meeting of Charnwood Borough Council on Monday evening (20 January 2025), Leader Jewel Miah put forward a position statement outlining the Council’s position on the white paper.
The position statement, which was discussed by the Council at the meeting, sets out the Council’s in-principal support for a Strategic Mayoral Authority for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
It also set out the Council’s initial concerns over the size and scale of a proposed single unitary council for Leicestershire and Rutland and considers that there are other viable options that should be explored and opportunities for wider discussion and engagement.
The statement also proposed to “explore the creation of a Town Council for Loughborough.”
Cllr Miah said: “Government has put forward the English Devolution White Paper and has set a clear agenda to create unitary authorities in two-tier areas like ours in Leicestershire.
“That process has only just started, with all options on the table and there is a long way to go.
“However, to ensure that Loughborough has proper local representation and a strong voice in the future, we feel it is appropriate to explore the creation of a Town Council for Loughborough, whatever local government structures end up in place.
“There is a clear legislative process that will need to be undertaken which will involve consultation and engagement with local communities. Officers at the borough council will now be looking at the proposal and producing a report for Cabinet.
“Clearly Charnwood already has successful parish and town councils which make positive impacts on their local areas. People and communities in Loughborough would expect the same representation, should local government structures change in the future.”
Nottingham City Council reduces budget gap
Nottingham City Council has significantly reduced the budget gap it is facing next year by two thirds due to “major improvements and efficiencies being implemented or planned.”
A report to the Council’s Executive Board on 21 January set out the latest budget position for 2025/26 which shows a projected budget deficit of £23.4 million, down from the £69 million gap forecast in June last year.
The cumulative budget gap over the period of Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan to 2028/29 has reduced from £172 million forecast last year to £56.8 million.
Council Leader, Cllr Neghat Khan said: “The reduced budget gap is the result of the significant work we have been undertaking to get our house in order, making major changes to become more efficient and put the Council on a solid financial footing for the future.
“The much improved financial settlement which Nottingham is to receive from the Government which includes an extra £30 plus million for next year has also had a positive impact on our financial position.”
Nottingham food business reveals plans to reduce employee numbers
Jobs are on the line at Nottingham business The Compleat Food Group, as reports reveal plans to reduce employee numbers at a pie-making facility.
The firm told Just Food it has entered into discussions over possible redundancies, with up to 131 roles at risk at Tottle Bakery in Nottingham.
A spokesperson from the company explained that the plans are a result of a “comprehensive review of cold pie volume,” with jobs to be cut “across several departments.”
They added the plans were “due to changing demand in a competitive trading environment and to ensure we can continue to support the long-term sustainable future of roles at the site.”
The Compleat Food Group is not planning to close the factory, however.
The business made a number of acquisitions last year, with aims to become the UK’s number one chilled prepared food company, including speciality food producer and distributor Harvey & Brockless, SK Foods and Zorba Foods.
2025 Business Predictions: Gary Piper, Sales Director at Barron McCann
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Gary Piper, Sales Director at Barron McCann, a provider of IT services across retail, hospitality, travel, banking and payments throughout the UK and Europe.
In 2025, additional revenue streams like digital media and advertising spaces will play an increasingly critical role for retailers. On screen advertising space will be an opportunity that stores should own, but we will start seeing these spaces, and WIFI advertising space, sold to external advertisers too. We’re going to see even smarter technology emerge, capable of tracking customers throughout store and delivering highly targeted advertisements.
Smart shelf solutions are also gaining traction – improving pricing accuracy and supporting consumer-facing apps like the Co-op’s or Tesco’s Clubcard app, enabling members to view exclusive pricing. Customer experience is becoming more critical than ever and aligning with individual customer behaviours is essential for retailers to stay competitive.
Serving the eco-conscious customer is another opportunity retailers can’t afford to overlook. EV charging stations, for example, not only support sustainability goals but also drive footfall and loyalty. The focus here isn’t on making money from the chargers but on keeping customers who value these services from going elsewhere. With EV technology becoming more affordable and reliable, it’s crucial for retailers to stay ahead.
Moving to low-carbon logistics is a key part of this – think green vehicles for last-mile delivery and initiatives that encourage employees and customers to adopt more sustainable practices.
For hospitality and retail businesses, leveraging green technologies will be a powerful way to attract eco-conscious customers by 2025. IT hardware recycling is one example of how we can embed sustainability into our operations while also demonstrating our commitment to the environment.
E-commerce business expands at Silverstone Park
Diva Group’s presence at Silverstone Park is set to expand significantly as Diva Patang, one of Afghanistan’s leading businesswomen in Europe, is to dramatically increase the size of her e-commerce business.
Diva Group is in the process of moving from its 33,000 sq ft premises to newer 100,000 sq ft industrial accommodation at the innovation and technology campus. Employee numbers are set to double to around 200 as a result of the move.
The business has already invested heavily in the use of AI plus, more recently, over £1m in automation systems to keep up with consumer demand for the big brand products it sells online.
Diva, who located her business to Silverstone Park with just 20 employees three years ago, says growing belief in her vision from external forces has given her the confidence to expand.
“Before Covid, online business was not as known to so many big brands,” explains Diva. “I remember trying to impress them and they weren’t that interested but now it is the other way around – they knock on our door to impress us to say ‘we’ve got the good brand, why don’t you bring it onto your shelves’.
“I think that just shows the growth in online business and the technology that people are using today.”
Diva continued: “In the next few months the premises will be transformed with a huge amount of warehousing for distribution – we anticipate serving a huge number of customers.
“A lot of automation is coming – we’ve invested over £1m alone on automation and bringing new technology into the business such as belting systems to make our business growth faster.
“AI is separate and something we’re already using. I’ve been careful to ensure I personally understand the AI so it is used in the correct way for our customers. This has proved highly effective in dealing with customer enquiries – 99.9% in fact.”
Diva says her business also has the means to move with the times in terms of consumer demand.
“As technology has improved, we have the online tools now to see what consumers are searching for the most.
“This enables us to respond to these trends and fill those niches.”
She added: “Who knows, maybe in the next few years there will be little robots running around in our premises – they perhaps need to be more advanced before we bring them, but it is something I want to bring in maybe the next stages of our growth. They could be part of our future but I think automation is the future anyway.
“I believe in the next three to five years we can be three or five times bigger than we are now – this is my challenge.
“I’m very happy with my business being at Silverstone Park – it’s a place that is providing huge opportunities for big companies and I’m actually proud to be with all these brands, companies and names in technology. And of course it’s nice to now be the holder of the biggest property here.”
G F Tomlinson raises funds and awareness in year supporting Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has reflected on its impactful partnership with the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust (ADCT) as its chosen charity for 2024.
The year-long collaboration has seen the team come together to raise £3,700 and vital awareness for a life-threatening condition that affects seventy people weekly across the UK and Ireland.
Aortic Dissection is a serious heart condition caused by a tear in the wall of the aorta. Without early detection and treatment, it can lead to devastating consequences, yet with timely intervention, survival rates can soar to 80%.
In support of the ADCT’s mission to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment outcomes, G F Tomlinson hosted an array of fundraising activities throughout the year, dedicating 386 volunteering hours in total.
Key activities in 2024 included:
- April: A pre-recorded Q&A video featuring Pauline Latham OBE MP, a Trustee of the charity, alongside G F Tomlinson’s HSEQ Advisor Mark Houldsworth. Pauline shared her motivations for supporting the charity, her personal connection to the cause, and vital information about the signs and symptoms of Aortic Dissection.
- June: Site Managers Phil and Ed completed the gruelling Lake District Ultra Challenge, conquering a continuous 100km loop around the Southern Lakes.
- October: Attendance at the Aortic Dissection Charity Ball held at Pride Park Stadium, further strengthening connections within the community and purchased items in the silent auction on the night.
- November: A staff charity quiz night and raffle brought teams together in a fun and engaging way to support the charity.
- December: A festive Christmas Jumper Day closed out the year with all proceeds donated to the ADCT.
East Midlands unemployment falls to lowest level in over a year
With unemployment in the region among over 16’s having dropped more than any other region in the UK to 3.8%, East Midlands Chamber says the impact of higher staffing costs businesses face from April, following measures announced in the Autumn Budget has yet to be seen.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics covers September to November 2024 and is now the lowest unemployment rate in England, having fallen 0.8% from the previous quarter. The last time the figure was below this point was April to June 2023.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Falling unemployment is absolutely something we want to see, getting people into jobs and driving the East Midlands economy, but the reality is we’re not at a champagne moment. The swathe of costly measures announced to businesses in the tough Autumn Budget hasn’t hit yet and could well turn this figure upside down.
“Our most recent Quarterly Economic Survey revealed Corporate Taxation at the top of concerns reported by businesses, followed by inflation and business rates. With National Insurance contributions set to rise and a lower rate at which payments are made, added to a higher national living wage on the horizon, businesses have difficult decisions to address.
“We have strong data that shows a doubling of East Midlands businesses planning to cut back on recruitment, up to 22% of firms. To put perspective on that, it was 9% in the survey we carried out before the Autumn Budget was announced.
“Three out of ten respondents in the survey after the Budget have revised their investment plans downwards for training, while six out of ten plan to up their prices. These are signs that businesses are going ‘should we really be pushing up our costs when we’ve got huge added costs to foot somehow.’
“Our Quarterly Economic Survey is a reliable indicator of business intention in the East Midlands as it’s based on both sentiment and measurable factors. Businesses invest when times are good and the right environment is in place, but when you’ve attributed a certain amount of outgoing cash and then learn your staffing costs will be higher than anticipated you may well rethink.
“Political leaders must not sit back and wait to see how the next few months unfold. We need policies in place that are supportive to businesses in the East Midlands, enable uninhibited growth, so businesses are not having to freeze spending to protect themselves.”
Chesterfield architects set up base north of the border
Chesterfield’s Whittam Cox Architects has opened a new office in Dundee to serve as a hub for the practice’s growing portfolio of projects in Scotland.
This strategic move aims to strengthen the company’s footprint in the region, with a particular focus on driving growth in the retail sector, as well as providing further potential to expand into a wider architectural offer to deliver projects in other sectors.
The practice has worked in Scotland for many years with some of the UK’s leading retailers. This office will look to further develop their ability to deliver a range of projects in the country.
Andy Dabbs, Managing Exec Director, said:“We are thrilled to officially launch our new office in Scotland. We see Scotland as a diverse and dynamic market for us. By establishing a local presence, we aim to deepen our relationships with existing clients and enhance our proposition and reach for new client growth, both here and in Ireland”.
The Scottish office will focus initially on retail work. The firms long-standing expertise in retail architecture will be complemented by its aspiration to deliver wider architectural design and delivery services in the region.
The new office will be led through the new appointment of Regional Director Clive Gordon; a retail and technical expert with experience spanning many years. Clive is known to the practice through collaborating on previous projects together.
Leicestershire precision engineering firm acquires supplier
A precision engineering firm in Hinckley has acquired one of its main suppliers.
H2M Engineering Limited, which is based in Hinckley and specialises in producing machined components, has purchased Accurate Grinding Limited.
Law firm Wright Hassall acted on behalf of H2M Engineering Managing Director Andy Forryan and Production and Engineering Director Martin Forryan to acquire the business.
Accurate Grinding Limited, which was based in neighbouring Barwell, operates grinding machines to grind, shape and finish metal components and has now re-located to the H2M Engineering site.
H2M Engineering produces and assembles components for a range of industries including aerospace, autosport and gas generation across the UK.
Penelope Sankey, of Wright Hassall, acted on the acquisition, with the corporate finance advice provided by Greg Philp and Holly Andrews, of Horizon TAS.
Penelope said: “We are extremely pleased to complete this acquisition on behalf of H2M Engineering as the business looks to expand its offering.
“This deal has seen H2M acquire one of its key suppliers, enabling it to bring everything under one roof and offer an expanded range of products to its clients.
“It is always very positive to be able to support a growing business, and we wish H2M Engineering every success for the future.”
Greg Philp, of Horizon TAS, said: “We worked closely with H2M Engineering, as well as a team of other local advisors, to make sure the deal was structured in a way that worked for everyone—financially, legally, and personally.
“It’s been fantastic to see two local businesses with shared values come together, and we’re excited to watch them grow side by side in the future.”
