Coalville corrugated packaging firm makes acquisition
The Logson Group, the Coalville-based independent supplier of corrugated packaging, has completed the acquisition of Challenge Packaging, an independent sheet plant based in East Sussex.
Colin Prior, sales director and Simon Allen, chairman, along with the rest of the existing management team will remain with the business, continuing to lead Challenge Packaging as a stand-alone business within the Logson Group.
Simon Allen, chairman, Challenge Packaging, said: “I am delighted to be involved in the next phase of Challenge Packaging’s development as we progress our future plans.
“Our alignment with The Logson Group ethos serves to strengthen our market position whilst further diversifying our offering as we strive to maintain and grow our reputation as the Southeast’s leading packaging solution provider.”
Martin Coppard, Managing Director, Challenge Packaging, added: “I am incredibly excited to work with the entire Challenge team, alongside colleagues at Logson Group, as we begin the next phase of our journey.
“Joining with Logson, as our ideal partner, allows us to expand and evolve our market leading capabilities and drive customer service to new levels.”
David Richardson, Logson Group CEO, added: “Challenge Packaging is a great addition to the Logson family, and we are pleased to have acquired the business allowing us to expand our reach into the Southeast of the country.
“Simon, Colin, and the team at Challenge Packaging, have built a very strong business that has shown continued growth and development over many years. There is a strong correlation between the two organisations in terms of culture, drive, and approach to customers. We are very excited to be able to share expertise and capabilities with the wider Logson Group.”
Challenge Packaging will join the existing Logson Group brands of Board24, Boxes and Packaging, Cases24, Jardin Corrugated, Red Rose Packaging, Boxshop, The Cardboard Box Company and Durham Box.
Logson Group has a turnover of over £400m per annum and employs over 1,300 people.
BDO bolsters East Midlands team with partner hire
Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has strengthened its Midlands team with the appointment of a new partner.
Having previously worked at BDO between 2011 to 2018, Steve Round re-joins the firm as a tax partner in the East Midlands. He specialises in transaction tax and advising owner-managed businesses, their shareholders & private equity-backed businesses on tax issues arising during all stages of a business’s lifecycle.
At BDO, he will manage a portfolio of clients across a breadth of sectors, including technology, professional services, manufacturing, business services and real estate. He will also focus on transaction work, advising on corporate structuring, shareholder exits, business acquisitions, tax due diligence, succession and the creation of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).
Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back Steve to our rapidly expanding East Midlands team.
“In the last 12 months, we have invested significantly in the region, cementing our position in the market with our long-term move to Nottingham city centre, while also attracting talented and high-performing individuals to strengthen our proposition.
“Steve will add considerable value as we continue to grow our tax and corporate finance teams in the East Midlands.”
Steve will be based in the firm’s Nottingham office and joins from Cooper Parry.
He said: “It’s fantastic to be back at BDO during a period of exciting growth in the region. I’m really looking forward to getting back out in the East Midlands market to reignite strong relationships with the private equity and advisor community, as well as owner-managed businesses that are the lifeblood of the region.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in and build close bonds across our local, national and international teams – a network that brings considerable value to our service offering.”
£14m of investment delivered by Loughborough Town Deal – with more on the way
Millions of pounds have been invested thanks to Loughborough Town Deal and more developments are on the way.
The Town Deal is backing 11 projects with several already being completed or progressing well and 2024 looks set to be another big year.
The Town Deal secured £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund to support the projects and in total, they are worth more than £40 million of investment.
Those already completed include a new Careers and Enterprise Hub in the town centre, the regeneration of the Bedford Square area, the creation of SportPark Pavilion 4 at Loughborough University and the upgrade of two kilometres of canal towpath through the heart of the town.
The Living Loughborough project has also expanded free wi-fi in the town centre, created an augmented reality heritage trail and helped introduce free business support for local businesses. More elements of this scheme are being developed.
In total, the investment for these projects is around £14 million.
Other projects also well underway include work to save the last major Bell Foundry in Britain – John Taylor & Co. The scheme, which is also being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is due for completion later this year.
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Loughborough Town Deal chair, said: “I am delighted to see the progress that the Town Deal projects are making on the ground – projects which began as ideas for regeneration and improvements, over four years ago.
“The total investment now being made is simply huge for Loughborough, its residents, and visitors to the town. It will help support the people of Loughborough for many years to come with new facilities, skills, jobs and an improved environment.”
Dr Kotecha, whose tenure as chair of the Town Deal Board has come to an end, added: “I am proud of what our Town Deal has achieved so far and proud to have played a role in supporting the programme and projects through to this delivery stage.
“We have faced and overcome a range of challenges, including right from the very beginning when we put together our investment plan with partners and local businesses – just as the pandemic hit.
“However, we went on to secure £16.9 million from the Government to back our 11 projects. Today, work is well advanced, collaborating with many tremendous partners who have co-invested and have led – or are leading – the delivery of these exciting projects. Without the commitment shown by our partners, the programme just wouldn’t have been possible.
“I am really pleased that some key projects have already been completed and will make a lasting difference for Loughborough.
“I’m excited to see the successful completion of all projects within the Town Deal, and I would like to wish everyone who has supported the Town Deal over the past few years the best, in particular my fellow board members who have been instrumental in driving this forward.
“The Town Deal will not only leave a legacy in terms of its projects but also in how it has brought people, organisations and businesses together for the benefit of the area.”
Dr Kotecha was appointed co-chair of the board in 2020 alongside Cllr Jonathan Morgan, the former Leader of Charnwood Borough Council. Dr Kotecha has been chair since last year. A new chair will be appointed shortly.
The other Town Deal projects which are still being progressed include the Lanes and Links scheme which will better link the town centre and Queen’s Park and see the creation of a Covid memorial; the creation of a Digital Skills Hub at Loughborough College; the creation of the Generator which will see a derelict building converted into a creative arts and culture hub; support for Great Central Railway; and support for a flood scheme for Loughborough’s Wood Brook.
The Town Deal Board involves representatives from Charnwood Borough Council, Loughborough University, Loughborough College, Love Loughborough, Leicestershire County Council, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, Charnwood Together Economy and Skills Group, local businesses and Loughborough MP Jane Hunt.
Work begins on £3.7m mental health ward refurb
Refurbishment works have started at Walton Hospital in Chesterfield, to create a dedicated ward for older adults with functional mental health issues. Stepnell is carrying out the works.
Previously vacant, the £3.7 million refurbishment of Bluebell Ward provides capacity for the relocation of patients from Pleasley Ward at the Hartington Unit on the Chesterfield Royal Hospital site, three miles across the town.
Delivering via the Procure Partnerships Framework (PPF) for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT), the project will create a 12-bedroom older adult mental health facility with single ensuite rooms. The ward is for functional older adults, and once completed, the functional and organic older adult services will be co-located in the same building.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “The refurbishment of Bluebell Ward signifies the latest project that we are completing for an NHS Foundation Trust, and we are proud of our long-standing reputation for delivering successful healthcare projects across the country using our local expertise.
“We are helping to enhance the offering of locally accessible specialist services, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.”
Tom Woolley, key account manager for the east at Procure Partnerships Framework, added: “Procure Partnerships Framework is delighted to see work is underway on the refurbishment of Bluebell Ward for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
“Our partners are experts in healthcare schemes and have worked incredibly hard in the planning stages to ensure the facility is set to become a welcoming, safe and sustainable environment for the patients of Bluebell Ward. We are excited to see this scheme come to life and the long-lasting benefit it will bring to the community of Chesterfield.”
Set to complete this July, the refurbishment adapts the existing structure of Bluebell Ward to achieve a fit-for-purpose design that follows the same building principles for new mental health units, completing under the Making Room for Dignity programme.
Stepnell is undertaking the works with multi-disciplinary construction consultancy EDGE. Charlotte Dennish, cost manager at EDGE, said: “Our healthcare specialist team is proud to be working alongside Stepnell to deliver an environment that promotes wellbeing and safety, improving the patient experience.
“EDGE is delighted to be delivering Bluebell Ward as part of the wider Making Room for Dignity programme, ensuring consistent quality standards and patient environments.
“By working with ex-service user Nick Richards on the project, we’ve been able to learn from his lived experience and ensure that the space is optimised to support older adults with mental health challenges, while also providing a welcoming environment for all who will use the service.”
The project is part of the government’s Dormitory Eradication Programme, which DHCFT names the ‘Making Room for Dignity’ programme, to eradicate dormitory accommodation in mental health facilities, ensuring that patients receive the appropriate safety, privacy and dignity to treat mental illnesses.
Andy Harrison, senior responsible owner at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have commenced the work to our refurbished ward at Walton Hospital for the older adults of Derbyshire who require inpatient support for functional mental health needs.
“Not only will the co-location with organic mental health services mean access to specialist older people clinicians but also a safer ward environment with increased privacy and dignity.”
Leicestershire technical consultancy appoints new board of directors
A Leicestershire technical consultancy has strengthened its board of directors.
MEC Consulting Group, formerly M-EC Development Technical Consultants, has promoted Tim Rose to regional director (Leicester) while adding Rob MacDonald as regional director (Birmingham) and Dave Stockton as director – Civils & Structures.
MEC’s Managing Director, Alex Bennett explains: “Since becoming MD in the final quarter of last year, I’ve had the opportunity to review our business goals and reprioritise. Key outcomes from this exercise were the need to broaden client awareness of the full suite of services we offer, and to expand our work with housebuilders and developers.
“To achieve this, we have deliberately recruited from within the housebuilding industry, appointing two well-connected and respected professionals in Dave and Rob.
“Both have two decades’ expertise working for regional developers and national PLCs, meaning they have an inherant understanding of the quality and service required, and are entirely commercially minded. This, coupled with our collaborative approach, is what we believe will set MEC apart.”
Assuming responsibility for MEC’s ten-strong Civils & Structures team is Dave Stockton, a qualified civil engineer whose career encompasses consultancy roles and working directly for housebuilders including Bellway Homes and Countyside Partnerships.
Dave says: “The directorship at MEC appealed because I could help shape the redirection of the business and bring fresh insight into the design standards and value engineering that developers expect. Being a multi-disciplinary consultancy also means we offer a ‘one-team’ service, which can significantly increase speed of development delivery, so is an added advantage.”
Heading up MEC’s relaunched Birmingham office is Rob MacDonald. Aside from short spells with a consultancy and local authority, Rob’s career has been entirely in residential development, undertaking senior technical and director roles at Taylor Wimpey, Cala Homes and Wain Homes.
“I’ve known and worked with MEC for around 13 years so when I became aware the company was looking to re-establish its presence in Birmingham, the opportunity was too good to miss,” said Rob.
“Birmingham’s property sector is thriving. The city has plenty of exciting developments underway as well as ambitious plans for continued regeneration. I’m looking forward to connecting with many of the region’s developers and helping facilitate schemes that will provide quality new homes and places of work.”
“Our team has a wide breadth of knowledge across multiple disciplines so we are keen to build upon our reputation as a ‘safe pair of hands’ as we embark on our next phase of growth,” adds Alex. “With new leadership now in place, clients can be assured they will receive timely, robust and considered advice as well as a senior point of contact for the duration of a project.
“All of this means our future looks very positive. We have the official opening of our Birmingham office to look forward to, which presents opportunities for recruitment and to achieve our target of employing a team of 50 specialists by the end of the year, plus in December we will celebrate 15 years in business, which will be an extremely proud milestone for us all,” concludes Alex.
University of Leicester partners with Flexeserve to drive innovation
The University of Leicester is working with Hinckley-based manufacturer Flexeserve and Innovate UK on a collaboration which helps businesses innovate for growth.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), will see Flexeserve – which manufactures hot-holding food cabinets and is partnered with big-name retailers such as Marks & Spencer, BP and Greggs – aim to strategically grow its business and turnover in international markets.
Graduate Venkatesh Ravi, who completed an MSc in Applied Computations and Numerical Modelling at the University of Leicester, has been successfully employed under the scheme as KTP Associate.
KTPs connect forward thinking businesses with the UK’s world class knowledge bases to deliver business-led innovation projects, lasting between 12 and 36 months.
The project is supported by Kamran Hussein, one of Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Advisers, who provides expertise and guidance to all partners at every stage of the journey.
Through collaboration with academics from the University of Leicester, Flexeserve hopes to further enhance its successful range of heated food cabinets with new software and skills, overcoming its lengthy and expensive ‘trial and error’ of physical prototyping and testing.
The project is valued at £200,000 and is anticipated to last two years. Innovate UK, the country’s national innovation agency, has provided a grant covering 67% of the costs.
The KTP agreement has officially been underway since the start of October, and will help Flexeserve with its strategy to meet international demand for heated units with an additional £4.6 million of sales in the next five years.
Venkatesh, employed as AeroThermo Mechanical Design Engineer, is under the guidance and weekly supervision of the University of Leicester’s Dr Aldo Rona (School of Engineering) and Dr Alberto Paganini (School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences).
Since 1975, KTPs have been creating positive impact and driving innovation. Currently around 800 businesses, 100 knowledge bases and over 800 graduates are involved in KTPs across the UK.
Paul Corazzo, Research and Partnership Development Officer at the University of Leicester, said: “The research partnerships team work alongside academics to co-ordinate a number of KTPs, with a portfolio of seven live projects. These are with a diverse range of partners from financial services, care homes, cancer immunotherapy, tabletting science, to understanding theatre audiences. KTP is perfect for businesses who want to de-risk their innovation.”
Alberto Paganini, Associate Professor in Mathematics and Project Academic Lead, said: “Through KTPs, industrial partners can access state-of-the-art science and upgrade and enhance their capabilities. KTPs also provide academic partners with insight into current industrial workflows, which informs their future research vision.”
Aldo Rona, Associate Professor in the School of Engineering and Academic Supervisor, said: “This KTP has started with great energy and momentum, facilitated by the use of a common Computer Aided Design platform between Flexeserve and the University of Leicester.
“This is allowing the freedom to use more sophisticated heat and flow management concepts, explore them in bespoke design solutions, and iterate the designs in computer simulations. The energy savings in the improved hot food holding cabinets will be good for the environment, for shop owners, and will make hot food on the go more affordable.”
Mick Steele, Technical Director at Flexeserve, said: “We are all very excited at Flexeserve to benefit from this important strategic project. The skills and knowledge that will be invested into the business will transform the efficiency of our products and allow new and innovative products to be brought to market far more quickly.
“With Venkatesh in the business, and the huge support of the University of Leicester Engineering team, the successes of Flexeserve will continue to put Leicestershire and the UK at the forefront of innovation.”
The Compleat Food Group makes duo of acquisitions
Nottingham-based The Compleat Food Group has sealed a duo of deals, acquiring SK Foods and Zorba Foods from The Entrepreneurial Food Group.
The two food businesses are category leaders in private label chilled party foods and dips and deli fillings, with a combined turnover of over £160m and over 1,150 employees.
Formed in 1987, Teesside-based SK Foods employs over 770 people and specialises in globally inspired party foods including Indian, Oriental, Tex Mex, Mediterranean, and Traditional British favourites. It holds around 40% of the market share for private label party foods outside of the Christmas period and became part of The Entrepreneurial Food Group in 1999.
South Wales-based Zorba Foods was formed in 1976. Now employing nearly 380 people at its Gwent site, it started out creating authentic Greek houmous, before expanding to cover a range of Greek, Traditional, Tex Mex and Asian-inspired dips and sauces, alongside soups, for retail and foodservice. It holds around 25% share of the private label dips market and became part of the Entrepreneurial Food Group in 2003.
Nick Field, CEO, said: “We’re incredibly excited about these two significant additions and what they bring to the group, with both companies having strong heritage in their categories for creating great food that people love. We plan to continue investment in both companies to extend their respective capabilities, allowing us to further innovate and inspire within their categories.
“For The Compleat Food Group, these acquisitions accelerate our commitment to build on our breadth of capability, increase our category leadership position, and deliver more excitement and interest to delight our consumers, driving sustained growth in the sector.”
Jeremy Faulkner, CEO of both SK Foods and Zorba, said: “At the heart of both SK Foods and Zorba is a commitment to real food values. It’s what our reputations have been founded on and why we are able to say that we are category leaders.
“With The Compleat Food Group, we have found a natural partner who not only shares our values, but also the ambition to invest and support us in driving further innovation and growth for our categories and key partners.”
Next plans storage expansion at Enderby HQ
Plans from Leicestershire retailer Next to build on its Enderby HQ have been recommended for approval.
The proposal involves the erection of a new storage building to be accommodated
through the relocation of current recycling facilities.
The new building will provide: a new location for staff ‘Direct to Desk’ collections (whereby staff can collect items ordered online whilst at the workplace; a permanent storage facility for samples currently stored in shipping containers across the site; additional storage for homeware samples; general storage for IT equipment.
Associated external works to accompany the new storage building will see recycling facilities relocated to the existing container yard, a new access ramp to the side of the multistorey car park to allow movement of goods to the Phase 6 building, and new staff amenity space to the side of the multistorey car park.
The proposed storage building will have a gross internal area of 1,077 square metres at ground floor plus 1,036.5 square metres at first floor, totalling 2,113.5 square metres.
Alongside the proposed storage building, a service yard is proposed to the rear.
Next’s headquarters have been based at the current Enderby site since 1986. The site
has been progressively expanded, with the most recent addition being the purpose built Photo Studio completed in 2016.
A document from Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee, which the plans will go before on 8 February, says: “The proposal will assist Next in managing storage requirements at their Head Office site and reduce the need for temporary buildings and structures.
“It is considered that the building, although relatively plain and functional, is in keeping with the design and scale of other buildings on site and whilst likely to be visible from outside the site (in particular from Forest Road to the rear), would be viewed in the context of the existing buildings and would not be detrimental to the character and appearance of the countryside.
“The proposed building would result in a reduction in the overall quantum of car parking
on site, but the applicant has demonstrated that a surplus of parking now exists due
to changes in working practices in the last four years and so the loss would be
acceptable. Furthermore, as the building will accommodate existing uses on site, it
will not result in additional trip generation or parking requirements.
“It is recommended that planning permission is granted.”
First and second phases complete at Horizon 29
Phase 1A and 1B of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire are now finished.
Horizon 29 is a new distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1, and once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq ft and have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases by McLaren Construction (Midlands and North).
Phase 1A comprises two single-storey distribution warehouses (units 1 and 2) and sustainable features including solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting and electric vehicle charging points. The units have been constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent,’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating.
Phase 1B, involved the construction of units 4 and 5, alongside all subsequent mechanical and electrical works, office fit outs and external works to ongoing conference laboratory car parks.
The contractor also delivered earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing, lift shaft and stair installations, nets for roofing works and office elevation cladding.
Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “We are delighted that works for both Phase 1A and 1B are finally complete.
“Once all phases are finished, Horizon 29 will be a premier distribution centre for the region, and an ideal hub for quality tenants looking for direct and easy access to the M1 north and south.
“We were pleased to be working alongside BentallGreenOak and Equation Properties for the second phase of this landmark scheme.”
Thrills galore for Safe and Sound fundraisers
Safe and Sound has announced its first two fundraising events for 2024 with proceeds going to help the charity protect and support more young people and families whose lives have been affected by child exploitation.
The first event will be the popular annual Race Night on Thursday April 25, sponsored by Cosy Direct. This is set to be the biggest ever and will be hosted by the city’s newly-opened Great Northern Classics.
Guided by host and charity CEO Tracy Harrison, race goers place their bets and then cheer their chosen horses over the finishing line with the races played out on giant screens. Tickets can be booked for individuals or tables of eight and ten.
Those looking for an even greater thrill will then have the opportunity to join a sponsored skydive on Friday June 28, at Langar Airfield, Nottingham.
Representatives from several local businesses have already signed up including Smith Partnership, Gravity Digital, Bloc Digital and PIB Insurance – prompting organisers to look at booking a second date due to the high demand.
Further events are planned for later in the year and Tracy Harrison explained: “The Derbyshire business community has always shown us amazing support and this is vital to ensure we can support children as young as seven who are being groomed and exploited both online and in person in our local communities as well as their families.
“We like to set our supporters a new challenge every year and, having tackled abseiling and fire walking in the past, I hope that as many people as possible will join me in jumping out of a plane!
“Although child exploitation is a serious and sometimes uncomfortable truth, our fundraising events are always designed to be fun to reflect our goal – to help young people and families move forward and bring joy and laughter back into their lives.”
