“This will not only help cut bills in the long term, but ensure we keep reducing our emissions – having already led the world by halving them since 1990.”
Leicester paper producer gets Government help to reduce energy use
PepsiCo invests £8m in Lincolnshire factory
PepsiCo has announced an £8m investment in its Pipers Crisps manufacturing site in Brigg, Lincolnshire, to meet growing demand for the popular snacks. It coincides with the 20th anniversary of Pipers Crisps and marks five years since PepsiCo’s acquisition of the brand.
The funding will boost production capacity at the site by nearly 80%, through replacing existing crisp fryers with new energy efficient models and installing new packaging machines at the Lincolnshire factory, which has been the home of Pipers Crisps since 2004.
New, more efficient fryers replacing the existing fryers as part of the investment are helping to reduce the site’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 200 tonnes a year. This contributes to PepsiCo’s pep+ commitment to target an absolute reduction across its value chain by more than 40% by 2030, reaching net-zero emissions by 2040.
Originally available in small independent pubs, bars, cafes and farm shops, Pipers has expanded its distribution network to include national wholesalers such as Booker, Brakes and Bidfood, alongside hospitality operators Mitchell & Butlers, Stonegate and Youngs.
The brand’s export business is worth over £2m, shipping to countries including France, Italy and across Scandinavia. The recent investment will help unlock further export opportunities for the premium crisp brand including to the Middle East, China and Japan.
Alongside increasing production, the investment will go towards upgrading facilities for the factory’s 100 local employees, including improvements to workspaces and staff changing rooms.
PepsiCo has continued to invest in its UK manufacturing sites, with a total of £127m committed in investment over the last four years, including a £58m investment in its Leicester factory announced last year.
Mirjam Fogarty, head of operations, Pipers Crisps, said: “Pipers is a much-loved brand with a rich heritage, and we’re delighted to be making this investment at such an exciting stage in our journey.
“From small independent pubs, cafes and farm shops, to working with some of the UK’s biggest wholesalers and hospitality operators, the funding will help us bring our delicious crisps to more people, wherever they are, and expand our brand internationally.
“With Pipers’ 20th birthday fast approaching, I’m looking forward to the next phase of our growth.”
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Summer boost for East Midlands as start-ups rocket and UK economy exits recession, but local businesses should remain cautious says R3 Midlands
A sharp hike in the number of start-up businesses in the East Midlands – the highest percentage rise in the UK regions – as well as an end to the country’s economic recession, should give the local economy a much-needed boost heading into the summer months, but business owners should remain cautious going forward.
This is according to the Midlands branch of national insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 and is based on a monthly analysis of regional start-up data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe and latest research from the Office for National Statistics, which shows a 0.6% expansion in the UK’s gross domestic product in the three months to March.
R3’s figures indicate there were 3,599 businesses set up in the East Midlands in April, which is a substantial rise of 41.69% compared to the previous month and is the highest regional percentage increase in the UK. The April figure is also 54.13% higher than the 2,335 local businesses set up in the region twelve months previously.
R3 Midlands Chair Stephen Rome, a partner at local law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: “This research does reveal some positive news for the East Midlands, with an indication of growing business confidence among entrepreneurs.
“We should remain cautious, however, in what we glean from these figures as, despite an exit from recession, the business economy remains hugely challenging.
“The negative impacts of inflation, higher wage and utility bills, as well as the rising costs of funding, have all made their mark on company balance sheets.
“R3’s advice to any directors worried about the viability of their company, start-up or otherwise, is to seek professional help and to do it as soon as possible. Many R3 Midlands members offer a free initial consultation to those who wish to explore their options.”
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New team joins 3 Bunkers fundraiser
The Nottingham office of wealth managers, RBC Brewin Dolphin has signed up to be the sixth team to take part in the annual 3 Bunkers challenge which aims to raise £100,000 for local charity Big C Little C.
‘The 3 Bunkers Challenge’ is styled like the infamous three peaks mountain climbs, but involves 24 golfers playing 27 holes within 10 hours at Morley Hayes in Derbyshire, Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire and The Nottinghamshire, covering just over 70 miles.
RBC Brewin Dolphin has a history dating back to 1762 and has 30 offices based across the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands.
The team from RBC Brewin Dolphin will be led by Robin Mellows, Head of Office in the East Midlands.
Commenting Ian Cooper, Divisional Director, Investment Management from RBC Brewin Dolphin said: “Our brand has been associated with many of Nottingham’s leading business awards and charity fundraisers and we are delighted to be taking part in this challenge to help research cures for cancer and help local children escape abuse and neglect.”
Established in 2020, the 3 Bunkers Challenge is organised by in Elliot & Bev Cook from Simple Marketing Consultancy and so far £40,000 of the £100,000 target has been raised.
This year, the event takes place on Friday 24 May 2024. The other five teams taking part are from Actons Solicitors, Fiscal Engineers, MAF Finance Group, Shakespeare Martineau Solicitors and Simple Marketing Consultancy.
Big C Little C was founded in 2019 by business entrepreneurs, Andrew Springhall and Colin Shaw who joined forces to create a charity that would encourage East Midlands businesses to organise events to raise money for Cancer Research, the NSPCC and other children related charities.
The organisers welcome support via online donations. The fundraising link is: https://givestar.io/ev/the-3-bunkers-challenge-2024
NTU invests £1.3m in ‘Mandalorian’ film technology
Hollywood tech seen in Disney’s The Mandalorian will be available for filmmakers to use in Nottingham thanks to major investment in the digital arts by Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
As part of the forthcoming Design & Digital Arts (D&DA) building, professional filmmakers and NTU students alike will access one of the most advanced Virtual Production suites in the UK.
The technology – which wowed millions around the world in the epic Star Wars spinoff – is being delivered in collaboration with audiovisual technology specialists Creative Technology and ARRI Solutions.
The £1.3 million investment by NTU will allow artists, such as actors, to perform in front of a huge LED screen which can virtually transport the audience to anywhere in the world, or beyond, in an instant.
Standing at 30ft wide by 13ft tall, the display features almost 10 million pixels, making 2D and 3D moving images and special effects appear lifelike, both in-person and on-camera.
The suite includes high-quality sound and camera systems used by professionals around the world, and a lighting system specially designed to ensure that fine details, such as skin tones and colour reproduction, appear authentic in the LED environment.
Included in the collaboration is a greenscreen studio – complete with state-of-the-art lighting and rigging systems – allowing students to get to grips with the technologies used by professionals, before they embark on their own creative careers.
There will be a studio where students can learn studio techniques for lighting, cameras, motion capture and more, and a recording studio and control room for audio related workflows.
The Creative Technology and ARRI Solutions teams will provide ongoing support and assistance with the technologies, workflows, and best practices in virtual production as part of the collaboration.
Michael Marsden, Executive Dean of the Nottingham School of Art & Design at NTU, said: “This investment has the potential to inspire a renaissance in Nottingham’s filmmaking industry, the likes of which that hasn’t been seen since the days of the former Central and Carlton television studios.
“We’re making available some of the most advanced filmmaking technology in the world that could change the way local filmmakers work, and attract new ones to the city, leading to previously unimagined possibilities.
“At the same time, we will become a global leader in digital arts and filmmaking education, creating a rich talent pool of young creatives who will graduate with sector-leading expertise and hands-on industry experience.
“This is an exciting development in our 180-year history which will help position NTU, and the city as a whole, as the most innovative hotbed for digital art and design talent in the UK.”
The D&DA building, which is set to open in September 2024 for its first intake of students, is part of an ambitious plan to build on NTU’s reputation as one of the world’s leading art and design schools.
As well as digital filmmaking, the space will enable NTU to develop its credentials in animation, UX design, gaming, graphic design and illustration, together with traditional design practice.
The investment as a whole is expected to create an additional £1 million in student expenditure in the local economy.
Tom Burford, Director of Technical Services Creative Technology UK, said: “The delivery of NTU’s Virtual Production space will be borne out of experience of being at the cutting edge of technology, workflows and language that has developed at a huge rate of knots over the past few years.
“With all of this experience our purpose at Creative Technology has always been to share, educate and inspire. Our partnership with NTU allows us to do just that and I’m excited and positive for the journey to come.
“Engaging and sharing with not only today’s practitioners but more importantly the future generation is a must for anyone working in the technology environment. We will be working with both the educators and the students, giving them real-time hands-on experience and knowledge with current workflows and techniques at the new facility in Nottingham.
“We are also going to be looking at additional support as part of our ConneCT education initiative, with ‘on set’ experience, work placements and mentoring sessions from industry leading figures and organisations. I’m delighted to be part of the supporting team and very much looking forward to every step of the way.”
Kevin Schwutke, Senior Vice President and Business Unit Head, Solutions, ARRI, said: “The Design & Digital Arts building, and its studio facilities stand as a landmark development, not only for NTU, but also for the city’s creative industries.
“Collaborating from the project’s inception, we’ve integrated our expertise in efficient studio design, industry-leading camera and lighting technology, and cutting-edge digital tools.
“This productive partnership between the University and industry partners has delivered a facility which not only assures the highest production values, but also enables students to gain invaluable hands-on experience in an environment mirroring the professional settings found in top-tier film sets.”
Furnley House Foundation raises over £38,000 for local Leicestershire charities
Over 170 people attended the Furnley House Foundation Summer Ball on Saturday 11th May at Winstanley House, Leicester, raising over £38,000 for local Leicestershire charities.
Hosted by comedian Patrick Monahan, guests enjoyed drinks at the reception, a three-course fine dined meal and a live performance from local choir group, Musical Village. Attendees also had the opportunity to take home some amazing items in both live and silent auctions including weekend getaways and exquisite dining experiences.
The Furnley House Foundation was born out of local financial adviser and mortgage broker Furnley House’s ambition to create opportunities and improve the lives of the local community. The Foundation holds a number of events each year to help bring the community together whilst raising money for deserving causes.
This year, all funds raised will support three charities that were selected during the 2023 Leicestershire Community Champions Awards and includes: Charity of the year winners, Steps Conductive Education Centre and finalist Focus Charity and Heartwize.
Steps Conductive Education Centre is a registered charity supporting families with children who have special educational needs. Focus Charity supports vulnerable young people, many of whom are in mental health crisis. Heartwize delivers basic life support training which includes CPR using resuscitation dolls as well as teaching how to use a defibrillator.
Simon Winfield, Chairman of the Furnley House Foundation, said: “The Summer Ball is always one of the highlights of year, and it was great to see it receive so much support from the Leicestershire community again.
“The money raised helps us to achieve our mission of improving and saving lives in Leicester and Leicestershire. Thank you to everyone for their support and we look forward to our next event, the Leicestershire Community Champions Awards, later in the year.”
Premier Asset Finance appoints business development manager for the Humber and East Midlands
Andy Craggs has joined Premier Asset Finance as business development manager, focusing on the Humber and East Midlands. Andy joins Premier Asset Finance with over 35 years of experience in the asset finance industry, having spent the last 25 as Managing Director at asset finance brokerage, ECS Group. As Managing Director of ECS Group, Andy supported clients and equipment suppliers across the Humber, East Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire regions, specialising in sourcing suitable funding solutions for businesses with a focus on renewable and sustainable energy projects. As a business development manager across the Humber and East Midlands for Premier, Andy will work with new and existing clients and report to Ken McKeating, Managing Director of Premier Asset Finance. Commenting on his appointment, Andy said: “I’m delighted to have joined Premier Asset Finance, working with Ken and the team to develop new relationships with clients in the East Midlands and the Humber, as well as continue to service our existing clients in this region.”
Ken McKeating, Premier Asset Finance Managing Director, added: “We’re pleased to welcome Andy to the Premier Asset Finance team. Andy has a wealth of experience in the asset finance industry, running ECS Group, a respected asset finance brokerage for 25 years.
“At Premier we’re continuing to bolster our already experienced team and Andy will be bringing his invaluable experience from the industry, especially in the green asset space. Building our knowledge in this area continues to be a key focus for Premier as we grow.”