Member Success Stories

 

Accountant introduces new scheme

to take the pain out of doing the books

March 24, 2009

A Derby accountancy firm has introduced a new system to help small businesses take the headache out of number crunching when doing the books.

Book Keeping Plus, based at Victoria Way in Pride Park, has become the first franchisee in Derbyshire of Crunchers, a new system of bookkeeping software.

Paul Wood, managing director of Book Keeping Plus, has 20 years experience, seven of them heading up his own firm which moved to Pride Park in 2006. He has 80 clients and does work including VAT returns and payrolls as well as bookkeeping and accounts.

"Bookkeeping is usually the one thing that firms, particularly small ones, hate to do," he said. "For years I have been trying to simplify it for them.

"Most bookkeeping software systems rely on the user having an amount of accountancy knowledge. But Crunchers have come up with an amazingly simple system which, in my experience, is the easiest to use.

"We are trying to encourage small businesses to do more for themselves which makes our job easier.

"This new system takes the aggro out of bookkeeping which will reduce the amount of time taken to go through the books and therefore reduce clients’ fees. In this tough economic climate any savings in time and money must be welcome."

Clients can either rent the software from Crunchers Pride Park, as the franchisee is known, or pay a service fee for the work to be done in house using the system.

Crunchers Pride Park is one of around 20 franchisees, the nearest ones being in Nottingham, Stockport and Doncaster.

Book Keeping Plus will still offer its usual range of services.

For further information call Paul Wood at Book Keeping Plus on 01332 613720

 

 

It’s win, win, win as health and safety response by employees draws results  

April 28, 2009

A health and safety campaign by a manufacturer produced winners all round – a reduction in accidents to workers, employees who won prizes, and a local hospital which also gained from a donation. All were beneficiaries from a ‘near miss and hazard alert’ scheme run by pre-cast concrete drainage products manufacturer Stanton Bonna, based at Stanton-by-Dale, near Ilkeston.

 Under the scheme,  the 140 employees are encouraged to write on cards details of any near misses – incidents that had the potential to result in injury although had not done so – or hazard alerts – unsafe equipment, substances, or procedures – so that management can take appropriate action.

 In a rare occasion at the company’s premises in Littlewell Lane production stopped and shopfloor workers and office staff gathered to hear about the success of the scheme which started almost a year ago.

 Since then 482 cards had been filled in and operations director Rob Fifer told the employees that this was estimated to have prevented 18 minor and three major accidents at the premises.

 He said this was a direct benefit to Stanton Bonna, its parent company Consolis, and all the individuals who work there because it was making Stanton Bonna a safer place – there had not been any time lost through an accident since last October.

“This is a day of celebration and pride for everybody,” said chief executive Barry Cooper. “Everybody has played their part in delivering a strong improvement on our safety record.”

The company has matched the efforts by giving £1 for each card submitted and Barry Cooper presented a cheque for £482 to Mike Perry, president and chairman of the League of Friends of Ilkeston Community Hospital

 

It's hats off to safety, after the £482 cheque handover to Ilkeston Hospital League of Friends are: (left to right) Stanton Bonna chief exec Barry Cooper, vice-president and secretary of League of Friends Jean Thomas, vice-president of Consolis Vincent Guelfucci, and Ilkeston Hospital League of Friends president Michael Perry

 

The money will go towards the £28,000 cost of creating and equipping a third minor operating theatre at the hospital, which will enable it to treat 3,000 more patients a year who would either have to wait longer or attend a major hospital in Derby or Nottingham.

Stanton Bonna employees who fill in a card are entered for a monthly draw to win £25 of shopping vouchers, but in celebrating the success of the health and safety scheme management gave away a top prize of a 40 inch flat screen television.

A delighted Zbyzsek Brzezinski receives his flat screen television from: (left to right) Paul Moore (Health and Safety Committee), vice-president of Consolis Vincent Guelfucci, and Stanton Bonna chief executive Barry Cooper.

 

 

Vincent Guelfucci, vice-president of Consolis, made the draw which was won by production operative Zbyzsek Brzezinski. Originally from Poland, he came to Britain looking for work and has been with the company for six years. He lives in Lenton, Nottingham, with his family, and until the draw did not have a television!

Other prizes of a digital recorder and a digital camera were won by fellow production operatives Hugh Logan, of Long Eaton and Simon Morrill, of Kirk Hallam.

Presenting the prizes, Vincent Guelfucci, who had travelled for the occasion from Consolis head office in Brussels, stressed that safety within the group was as important as financial performance.

For further information contact Stanton Bonna marketing manager Murray Howitt on 07966 138386

 

Business honour ‘a bitter sweet

affair’ says entrepreneur Ian

Pride Park businessman Ian Hodgkinson has been voted Entrepreneur of the Year in the 2009 Derbyshire Business Awards.

But the managing director of Hodgkinson Builders (Midlands) Ltd has described his success in the prestigious competition as a ‘bitter-sweet affair’.

He told guests at Friday’s gala awards dinner hosted by actor Brian Blessed that the honour, which rewards business excellence, came just 24 hours after his father’s funeral.

“He was the man who introduced me to the building business and I am truly sorry that he did not live long enough to share in our success tonight but I want to dedicate this trophy to him,” said Ian.

His father, Brian, who died last week, has been described as ‘the best plasterer of his day in Ilkeston’.

Family, friends and staff were at Pride Park for the Derbyshire Chamber dinner and heard Ian praised for his entrepreneurship, innovation and business acumen.

He was also applauded as ‘a man with a strong sense of mission who is not averse to putting his name on the line when it comes to fighting the corner for the British building industry and its workers as well as a strong supporter of community charities and deserving groups’.

After receiving the trophy, Ian insisted that the business award had to be shared by every Hodgkinson employee.

He declared: “This is, genuinely, a team award. Each and every Hodgkinson employee deserves this honour. They keep turning economic challenges into business successes and it’s thanks to them, Hodgkinson can continue to fight the corner for British industry and those workers who don’t have the clout to fight for themselves. To us, that’s important.”

 

New financial advice practice has many years of sound experience

March 3, 2009

A new company offering financial advice has been set up in Derby, but although it is a start up business it is backed by many years of experience.

Midland Financial Solutions has been formed by independent financial adviser Kevin Edwards joining forces with four partners from leading chartered accountants and business advisers Mabe Allen, who have offices in Derby, Ilkeston and Ripley.

Kevin Edwards qualified as an adviser in 1995 and has experience of working in-house with a firm of accountants in Nottingham and solicitors in Derby.

Over several years Mabe Allen has referred clients to him. In discussions Kevin had with partners at Mabe Allen the idea was floated of setting up a new company to extend this service.

The new venture is an extra service that Mabe Allen can offer its clients but as an ‘arms length’ company.

Kevin Slack, Managing Partner of Mabe Allen is the Managing Director of Midland Financial Solutions and Kevin Edwards will be the Operations Director with the task of developing business as well as providing financial advice.

The three other directors are John Allen, senior partner at Mabe Allen, his son David, who is a director at the firm’s Ripley branch and another partner from that office, Chris Hopkinson.

Initially, Midland Financial Solutions is operating from Mabe Allen’s head office on Osmaston Road, Derby, and can also be contacted through their offices at St Mary Street, Ilkeston, and Derby Road, Ripley.

The new company is offering advice to businesses, individuals, and clients of other professional firms such as solicitors and accountants.

The main areas of advice provided will be investments, pensions and retirement planning, school fees planning, inheritance tax and trust matters, and long-term care for people living in residential and nursing homes.

It will not be covering mortgages or equity release advice but can refer enquiries on these to independent mortgage brokers.

"There’s not much that we can’t do or don’t know of somebody who can," said Kevin Edwards.

Some people may think it unusual to set up a financial advice company in the current economic climate with daily headlines in the news over concerns about investments, but Midland Financial Solutions is confident it can overcome the fear factor by offering straightforward, practical advice.

"In Midland Financial Solutions we have a combination of my experience plus many years of expertise and financial acumen from senior figures at Mabe Allen, a well-established and much respected accountancy and business advisory practice," said Kevin Edwards.

"In addition, between us all we have a wide range of contacts in the sector that we deal with, so this should add up to extra re-assurance for clients."

The company is operating solely on a fee basis – one of few to do so in the East Midlands – so that clients pay for the services they require as opposed to the adviser being reliant on commission from product providers.

This is usually done on a time-spent basis although fixed fees can be agreed for certain areas of advice. A free initial consultation is offered in all cases.

Kevin Slack said: "Midland Financial Solutions is offering a one-stop shop with a complete financial and tax planning service to individuals, companies, business pension schemes, charities and trusts.

"We are looking to give an easy-to-understand, independent and transparent service."

For more information please contact Kevin Edwards on 01332 345370/345546

 

 

Training company helps workers fight the recession – at the double!

February 12, 2009

TWIN brothers who were made redundant from the construction industry in the last recession are now helping people to find work in the current downturn.

Frank and Mick Dunne are directors of Upskill  - an Ilkeston company which is celebrating its first year, during which they have trained hundreds and helped people find jobs, some of them as trainers themselves.

And while many companies and workers are finding life tough the twins are upbeat about Upskill which is on target for a £1m turnover and set to expand, doubling its workforce.

  

             

             

             

             

             

             

Twin brothers Mick (left) and Frank Dunne with trainers: David Resoda, Steven Slater, Damien Dunne, Jackie Dunne and Angela Filipe, in their UpSkill premises in Ilkeston.

The identical twins know what it is like to be out of work, having both lost their jobs in the construction industry during the early 90s when they each had young families. Frank was out of work for a couple of months, and Mick for more than a year.

Mick eventually got back into the construction industry and Frank worked for Derbyshire County Council’s roads maintenance department.

Frank got involved in training and through various company changes he was involved with Carillion where he helped adult learners. Mick also joined Carillion and became a regional manager.

The brothers decided to pool their skills and experience to go it alone and start their own business, which they did last February, initially working from home.

They received financial support and advice from enterprise agency Erewash Partnership and last year moved into adjoining offices at the agency’s headquarters in The Old Police Station on Wharncliffe Road.

“We help unemployed people gain formal qualifications, regardless of their academic achievements,” said Mick

Or, as Frank says: “We are giving people a second chance. We help unemployed people learn skills which will, hopefully, get them into work. For those in work we provide opportunities to gain qualifications and improve their prospects.”

The company delivers training courses in various subjects, such as construction, warehousing and logistics, to meet employers’ needs. This is done throughout the country, using Upskill staff, but sometimes hiring in others.

So far they have had 500 learners on their books, and this is set to reach 600 later this month.

Of these, 125 have achieved National Vocational Qualifications at levels 2-4.  Forty have been helped into work, including eight with Upskill, who hope to take on another 10 in the next year.

“We are delighted that some of those who have been helped into work have been long-term unemployed, including some young men in their early 20s who have never had a job,” said Mick. “They are now working in roads maintenance and earning good money.”

“We even had a mum ring up and thank us for helping her son into work because she thought he would never have a job. He had had problems at school, under-achieved, and suffered low self-esteem.

“But with the right support from us, he has now held down a job for a year building a hospital in Portsmouth and he is doing really well.”

Upskill has helped 20 people on courses at the Partnership’s Enterprise Centre in Cotmanhay, over half of whom have found work.

“Rather than deliver courses in a lecturing style, we take a hands-on approach with unemployed people,” said Frank. “We talk their language and can empathise with them.

“We have been through the dark days of one recession and are now rising to the challenge of another. It’s our passion and we feel we can make a positive contribution. We are even training unemployed people to become trainers.”

About 40 companies, including Carillion, Costain, and Leicester City Council highways division use Upskill to deliver training programmes.

For further information call Frank or Mick Dunne on 0115 932 7376

 

 

  School gains new status and benefits thanks to architect drawing up ideas

January 28, 2009

 An architect’s first venture into education projects has helped a school achieve new status, a new learning facility and extra Government money.

Alan McGowan Architects, of Tamworth Road, Long Eaton, helped Brackenfield School in the town to achieve specialist college status for cognition and learning.

 The Bracken Road college, which is under the auspices of Derbyshire County Council, caters for 60 pupils aged 5-16 from a wide area who have autism, learning difficulties or behavioural issues.

Alan did a feasibility study and initial designs for an extension to the premises to provide an extra learning area in conjunction with its bid for specialist status.

That was granted by the Government along with a £100,000 grant to build the extension and extra funding of £60,000 for each of the next three years.

Planning permission has now been given for the 60 sq metre extension which will provide a multi-use teaching area that can be adapted for various uses including a meeting room.

Work is scheduled to start later this year and be completed in time for the new school year in September. In keeping with Brackenfield’s eco-schools award the extension will use sustainable cladding and be well insulated.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to help a local school achieve specialist status,” said Alan.

Brackenfield headteacher Phil Ormerod said: “It’s thanks to Alan’s work on the feasibility study that we have been able to achieve specialist status.”

He said that Alan had also helped by securing charitable donations from the local business community towards the £20,000 cost of the bid.

“Alan has given a good quality of service and been a great friend to us, giving extra help over and above what we had commissioned him for.”

Alan McGowan Architects is the only chartered practice of architects in the borough of Erewash.

After qualifying in 1989 Alan worked with designer Sir Terence Conran in London and at a firm in Nottingham. He was senior lecturer in architecture at the University of Derby for 10 years before starting his own practice in 2002.

His work involves housing, community and sports buildings – he designed Belper Rugby Club’s clubhouse and changing rooms.

Brackenfield was his first venture into school buildings. “I hope that this successful venture will lead to similar work for other schools,” he added.

The school will be celebrating its success at a special event on February 6 for invited guests including representatives of The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.

 For further information call Alan McGowan on 0115 875 8021

 

Dual issues result in powerful sales drive of hybrid technology vehicles

August 27, 2008 

CONCERN about the environment and tax concessions for green energy is fuelling sales of hybrid technology cars at a leading dealer. Ron Brooks Toyota which has premises at Derby Road, Ilkeston, and Oaktree Lane, Mansfield, has sold 47 Prius cars so far this year. That is more than the 42 sold in the whole of last year and is in advance of September when new cars traditionally sell well because of the number plate change. “We are delighted with the recent sales success of the Prius, particularly in these difficult economic times,” said Ron Brooks Toyota managing director Kevin Slack.

The Japanese-built model, which has won several awards, is a leader in technology and can switch from rechargeable battery to traditional petrol power depending on speed and road conditions. Kevin said that the sales success was not just down to individual buyers, who may or may not be environmentalists, but also businesses choosing the vehicle whether on single or fleet sale basis. This is because of the £15 annual road tax, the 100 per cent tax allowance, and because its reduced fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions can help a company show off its green credentials.

To boost the company’s business to business sales Ron Brooks Toyota has recently appointed Trevor Cliff. His experience in the motor trade stretches to nearly 30 years, mainly dealing with fleet sales. “I wanted to join a company with a reputation for customer care as number one on its priority list,” he said. He will work in conjunction with Roy Munson, based at the Mansfield site. Roy has spent 25 years in the trade, again mainly in corporate/business sales.

Nineteen-year-old Ben Bates (pictured), a former pupil of Kirk Hallam Technology College, has just completed a three-year apprenticeship with the company and become a qualified parts person. Ben passed out at the specialist Toyota training centre in Nottingham, where he spent a week studying every three months. He deals in selling, ordering and selecting the parts needed both for the service department at Ron Brooks Toyota but also supplying other dealers and accident repair centres. In each of the last three years Ben made the final of the Toyota apprentice of the year competition, being part of the winning team in 2007.

The company usually takes on two apprentices each year.  

For further information contact Kevin Slack on 0115 930 2885

 

Print and design firm buys more

equipment to aid expansion

August 5, 2008

A print and design company has invested another £80,000 in new equipment only weeks after its biggest ever spend.

In April Mercia Image moved from Mansfield Road, Derby, to the Duffield Road Industrial Estate in Little Eaton where it had invested £800,000 in buying and transforming premises.The transfer included delivery and set up of a new £500,000 Mitsubishi five colour litho printer as well as moving in a £120,000 digital press bought last year.

Since then the company has bought a £55,000 Muller Martini Preston saddle stitcher as a replacement for an older machine. The new equipment can staple together 5,500 booklets an hour. It has also paid £15,000 for a Schneider guillotine with digital programme for its finishing department. Again, this replaces older equipment and does the work a lot quicker. In addition, the company has upgraded its design studio and bought new Apple Macs and accompanying software.

Director Amanda Strong said: “This is part of an ongoing expansion plan using state-of-the-art technology to provide an even better service to our customers.”

 The company is now also using a £20,000 package of XMPie professional personalisation software to enhance its marketing role on behalf of customers.

This software enables Mercia to personalise any printed product with names, personal details, images and even items such as tear-off vouchers and so target the marketing of material. 

Normal leafleting has a response rate of under five per cent but, Mercia says research has shown that targeted marketing can increase this to more than 20 per cent. Such marketing uses fewer materials, is more customer-friendly, and provides a higher return on investment by the client.

“This software is a fantastic marketing tool and a distinct advantage over global marketing and leaflet drops,” said Amanda.

 For more information contact Amanda Strong on 01332 830552

 

New chamber president aims to be a link and boost co-operation 

July 24, 2008 

THE new president of Burton Divisional Chamber is a businesswoman from Derby. Erewash Partnership Associate Jacqui Lakin is only the third woman president of the Chamber, and follows in the footsteps of Angela Wedgebury (1989-91) and Susan Black (1995-97). Jacqui is company secretary of JJ Courier Direct, an independent courier based in Galway Avenue, Chaddesden, which offers a professional, domestic and commercial service across Britain and worldwide through a global partner. She started the business four year ago with husband John and spent a lot of time networking in the Burton area, receiving support from Chamber members. Now she hopes to use her two-year term of office to bridge the River Dove and to improve relations between businesses and organisations representing them in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and even further afield. .Jacqui, whose company is also a member of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, the Federation of Small Businesses, and regeneration agency Erewash Partnership, spends a lot of time at networking events meeting and talking to other business representatives. “I want to use my time as president of the Burton Chamber to encourage links between businesses across the counties to benefit trade and prosperity at what is a difficult time,” she said.  “ I especially want to continue the policy of my predecessor Keith Norris in encouraging businesses to ‘think local’ in purchasing goods and services from local suppliers where it makes commercial sense, particularly on new projects like the Football Association’s £80m national centre at Rangemore, Burton, which presents tremendous opportunities. “I also want to work with other business organisations to improve the lot of our members where possible and co-operate on matters of mutual interest.” “As a relative newcomer on the Burton business scene I am delighted at the honour bestowed upon me by my colleagues and I shall do my best to represent their interests.”  Jacqui will be succeeded as vice-president by Andrew Gentles, group managing director of Tutbury-based Burton Inns.

For further information contact Jacqui Lakin on 08785 666091

 

Company has designs on a bright new future as it moves to expand 

July 22, 2008

A design company is drawing up plans to deal with increasing business by moving to bigger premises. Simon Design Creative Solutions has moved from its base in Wellington Street, Long Eaton, to Bright Street in Ilkeston. The company was set up 12 years ago by Simon Davey who wanted a new challenge having worked across the design field in several industries. His first big client was Lincolnshire-based Pelham Homes for whom he produced a wide range of graphic designs for their new housing developments. As trade and his client list grew Simon took the decision six years ago to become a limited company and that heralded a new era. He set up a bigger studio in an extension to his house in Wellington Street and was joined by brother Mark as a director. 

An engineer by trade Mark added his technical drawing expertise to the services offered, including working on plans for extensions to domestic and commercial buildings. The team also comprises graphic designers Kevin Stevenson and Natalie Allsop and Stewart Cooke, who handles the logistics of delivering and installing point of sale material, display units and other work using the firm’s vehicles, This forms part of a comprehensive service rather than sub-contracting such work out. “We have a totally flexible team that can design, deliver and fit promotional material,” said Simon, the firm’s creative director. 

The company’s work covers a wide range including artwork for brochures, corporate identity website design, point of sale items, exhibition stands, and vehicle graphics and produced a record turnover of £350,000 last year. With a need for new premises, Simon identified an 11-room extended Victorian semi in Bright Street, which previously had a commercial use but had been empty for five years. After buying it for £155,000 he and Mark, helped by their father Maurice spent 20 weeks ripping out walls and refurbishing the building.  It includes a boardroom and showroom as well as design studio, office, workshop and storage space. “It’s been a big job but we are looking forward to working in an enhanced environment which will provide better facilities for existing and new clients,” said Simon. The new home is close to the town centre end of the Ilkeston-Awsworth link currently being built which will breathe new life into the area and give easy access to junction 26 of the M1 for clients. The biggest client is Chesterfield-based Gladedale Homes, but the company also deals with schools, small to medium sized businesses and start-ups. And while the credit crunch is squeezing many businesses, the company has seized the opportunity to help beleaguered house-builders. It has set up a graphic developments division specialising in producing material to promote and sell new homes. So far it has contacted 200 firms. “We have had some positive replies and we feel this could expand our foothold in promoting special services to housebuilders,” said Simon.

The company is planning an open day later in the year for clients and suppliers and hopes to take on an extra two staff to help handle an increased workload.

.For further information call Simon Davey on 0115 944 4470 or 07802 409757

Darren hopes to give businesses the golden touch after training course 

June 24, 2008 

BUSINESS consultant Darren Beaven has achieved new accreditation to add to his wealth of experience in working with companies. Darren has just completed an Alchemy business development training course. This means that he is licensed and accredited to practice the business methodology promoted by the international company.Darren spent 25 years in senior managerial positions in the logistics industry working for top companies such as Asda – he ran their largest distribution centre with 1,200 workers and an operating budget of £40m – DHL and Royal Mail. He had always wanted to run his own company and when his personal circumstances changed nine months ago was able to do that, setting himself up as a freelance management consultant. 

In this new role as managing director of dhb consultancy services he focuses on corporate training, people development, interim management, and general consultancy on how to improve a company’s performance. He now goes into small and medium enterprises across the Midlands working with them to boost their lead conversions and so increase sales and profitability. Darren, who strongly believes people make the difference, will go in and do a full business growth audit, looking at opportunities, providing an action plan and working with the company to implement it. Now he is putting into practice the Alchemy technique. “I am enjoying it.” he said. “I have worked with some fantastic clients ranging from blue chip companies such as Dairy Crest to fellow sole traders.” “It’s exciting seeing companies benefit from realising opportunities that they did not know existed.” Darren, based in Garden Avenue, Ilkeston, added that he is also grateful for the help he has received from regeneration agency Erewash Partnership as regards advice and vital contacts.

For further information please contact Darren on 07828 625812

 

Martial arts guru shows business folk how to give menaces the chop!

June 17, 2008

NEW and innovative team building courses which can also help people defend themselves when threatened are being launched in Derby by martial arts expert Mark Wingfield. Mark, whose MAX Teambuilding - based at the iD Centre in Derby - has run courses across the UK and abroad, has introduced a new weapon in his fight against thugs, bullies and other aggressors who can strike fear into or even attack innocent people going about their daily lives.With current serious concern about street crime - particularly knife attacks - and the fear of street crime, Mark’s courses on conflict management, self defence and self protection are essential for people who may be threatened in their professional and business lives.A martial arts enthusiast for more than 20 years and a black belt in Wado Ryu Karate, Mark, from Melbourne, has improved on his considerable knowledge and technique with the latest specialist training on courses in Germany. This includes course attendees facing up to intimidation from the ultimate aggressive character known as The MADMAXMAN and learning how to competently deal with that in a safe and controlled manner. Mark is believed to be the first person in the East Midlands to unleash this character in training sessions for the corporate sector to help people who may be threatened as they go about their work. Before trainees face The MADMAXMAN they are confronted on two separate occasions by a menacing character in dark glasses who will intimidate them. If the trainees assert themselves, he goes away; if not, he continues. Scenarios specific to trainees are played out – for instance, health staff dealing with drunken or aggressive patients, solicitors with awkward clients, teachers with rowdy pupils, or just an ordinary member of the public caught up in road rage or threatened simply for having looked at someone too long. Then The MADMAXMAN appears, approaching trainees from different angles threatening and taunting them. The trainees, with a rush of adrenaline, are able to fight to survive.

The experience is unusual as The MADMAXMAN, who dishes out a verbal but not physical lashing to the ‘victims’, appears like an American footballer. This is because of his heavily padded kit, including anti-whiplash helmet to disseminate pain, which protects him from any beating. The whole approach is designed to be as realistic as possible. “This is as near as you can get into a real fight without getting hurt,” said Mark. “It boosts people’s self-confidence as well as giving them solutions on how to escape from and survive awkward situations.” MAX Teambuilding is also offering training over the summer to students settling in to strange surroundings. There is also specialist assertiveness training for youngsters aged 6-12. Mark and The MADMAXMAN will be introducing the teambuilding courses, including conflict management and self defence to the city’s business community at a session in conjunction with Marketing Derby at Pride Park Stadium on June 26 starting at 5.30pm. As part of Derby City Partnership Week Mark will be holding taster sessions in conflict management and self defence at the West Room, rtc business park, London Road, Derby, on June 24 from 4-5pm, and in beating stress to help people perform at their peak at the  iD Centre, rtc business park on June 26 from 7.30-8.30 am. 

For further information or to discuss the training sessions contact Mark on 0844 8700 629.

 

Rotary Citation ‘first’ for Derbyshire businessman

 
Derbyshire businessman Ian Hodgkinson has become the first recipient of a new Rotary honour that recognises outstanding service to the community.
 
The managing director of Partnership Member Hodgkinson Builders in Pride Park, Derby, has been awarded a Rotary Club of Hope Valley Citation for Meritorious Service for his role in a campaign to highlight the nightmare lives of blind and partially-sighted victims of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, a medical condition that causes them to ‘see’ phantom visions.
It also recognises his support for local groups working to improve the lives of sick youngsters and young people with sporting interests.  
Ian was presented with his Citation at the Rotary club’s Charter celebration at Hassop Hall in the Derbyshire Peak by president Alisma Clark who thanked him for his generosity in funding the publicity materials for the Charles Bonnet awareness-raising campaign. It was proving to be a particularly successful initiative, the first of its kind in the world, and was already attracting international interest. She said that the new citation had been introduced to reward those unsung heroes within the community, like Ian, who worked to better the lives of other people in many ways - without any thought of reward. Valley Past President Ron Eyley, who nominated Ian for the Citation, described him as ‘a true philanthropist’.
 Ian, who was accompanied by his wife, Allison, told Rotarians and guests that he felt honoured to be the first recipient of a Citation.  “My company makes a living from the community and has always believed that it should put something back into the community,” he said. Ian is pictured, centre, with Allison (left) and Alisma (right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Print and design firm continues expansion into new premises

 

May 7, 2008

A print and design firm that started in a spare room of a house can look forward to celebrating its 20th birthday in a smart new home.

Mercia Image started life 19 years ago producing plastic information cards for building societies in the Willington home of Amanda Strong and her then husband. Now it has an annual turnover of £1.4m and employs 20 people at its new base in Duffield Road industrial estate, Little Eaton. Three years after business started the company took on its first employee, David Roberts, who later invested in the firm to become 50 per cent shareholder and co-director. That same year Mercia moved to the Perkins industrial estate in Mansfield Road, Derby. As the business expanded it moved twice to larger premises on the estate, eventually becoming the leaseholder with the largest square footage on the site. But a combination of the business outgrowing the premises and ever-changing technology offering better products led Amanda and David to spend up to a year looking for a new site. They have invested £800,000 in the former HR Plastics building at Little Eaton, and transformed it by redesigning the interior to include new offices and a large printing area.

As well as printing, Mercia finishes all work in house and can offer a full design service. The move took place over two months and included delivery and set up of a new £500,000 Mitsubishi five colour litho printer as well as moving in a £120,000 digital press bought last year. “We wanted to combine installing and commissioning the new printing press with the move to the new premises so that we would not lose any production time, miss deadlines or let down clients,” said Amanda. “The new premises provide a better quality environment for our staff and customers when they come to discuss their needs” The company prints everything from stationery to full-colour, multi-page publications with print runs often exceeding 500,000 and can deal with up to 200 customers at any one time. It prints patient menu selections for 30 NHS hospital trusts and data collection forms for universities, hospitals and Government agencies. Its main client is a company which manages sports and leisure centres. Others include Derby City Council, and many local firms. David, a printer by trade, looks after the production side of the business, while Amanda tends to finance, administration and personnel matters. And Amanda is quick to praise the employees, saying they have played a vital part in the growth of the company which is heading for £1.7m turnover. “We have a very hard-working and loyal staff, many of whom have worked with us for a number of years,” she said. “Without them we would not be where we are today. “We are very much geared up for the future and looking forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary next year.”

For further information contact Amanda Strong on 01332 830552

 

High-tech firm delighted at carrying coveted preferred supplier status

March 25, 2008 

COMPONENTS manufacturer Atlas Composites has received its biggest accolade yet in its short history as it goes from strength to strength. The company has been awarded coveted preferred supplier status from Lockheed Martin UK INSYS, a leader in systems integration for major programmes in the aerospace, defence and civil sectors, which is part of the giant Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Atlas Composites began in 1997 specialising in the manufacture of carbon fibre composite components for the motor racing industry, earning accreditations and new customers by evolving into the aerospace, defence, communications and engineering industries. Having previously achieved approved supplier status for Lockheed Martin UK INSYS and two other leading defence companies, Atlas Composites has now stepped up a rung on the ladder of recognition by being presented with the bronze award as a preferred supplier. Based at modern premises in Merlin Way, Quarry Hill Industrial Estate, Ilkeston, Atlas Composites is the only carbon fibre composite manufacturer to have won this status from Lockheed Martin UK INSYS and is therefore the first port of call when it needs specialist composite products. Atlas Composites has been supplying parts for defence equipment to Lockheed Martin UK INSYS for almost two years. As part of a selected group of key suppliers, which involved going through a rigorous appraisal, Atlas Composites is recognised as consistently providing materials and services on time to specific quality requirements. The award gives added kudos to the company’s reputation and can open doors for Atlas Composites when seeking business worldwide to add to its order books. Managing director Shaun Moloney said: “I’m delighted at this latest recognition from such a prestigious company as Lockheed Martin for our performance in developing carbon fibre composites for use in the defence industry. “It’s a reflection on all the expertise and hard work put in by our employees”. “As a company, our staff, under engineering manager David Gregory, come up with and develop innovative solutions for Lockheed Martins various processes at the cutting edge of technology.”  Mr Moloney said the company hoped to go even better by advancing higher in the preferred supplier programme. He said Atlas Composites had been given the chance to develop further with the support of Lockheed Martin’s lean manufacturing system which scans processes to make sure that everything is ultra efficient. As part of this award, Lockheed Martin will be supporting the development of key individuals from the Ilkeston Company, putting them through their own development programme and training courses to help the implementation of lean manufacturing processes.  

Next month Mr Moloney will be attending the JEC exhibition and various conferences in Paris for composite manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. Later in the year he and his team will be attending the prestigious Farnborough Air Show, a showcase for the aerospace industry, where meetings have already been arranged with existing and potential clients. Last year the company’s turnover was a record £2.2m and this year it is aiming to increase this to £2.5m. The company’s workforce has increased to 49 and Mr Moloney hopes to boost this to 60 by the end of the year by recruiting time-served craft workers in various trades.

Pictured at a presentation event held at Bletchley Park are Left to right: Stephen Ball – Managing Director Lockheed Martin UK INSYS; Paul Bird – Supply Chain Director Lockheed Martin UK INSYS;  Shaun Moloney – Managing Director Atlas Composites Limited & Dave Gregory – Engineering Manager Atlas Composites Limited

 

Years of hard work helps load handling consultancy lift top training award

January 15, 2008 

A specialist training consultancy has won a national award at its first attempt, capping 10 years of success and hard work.Handling Movement and Ergonomics, based at Cotmanhay Road, Ilkeston, won a National Training Award for its work with Derby City Council. The Awards, sponsored by City and Guilds, are given for outstanding success. The company runs courses and gives advice on manual handling of people to health and social care professionals. This is to make sure that people needing care are moved around and helped in as painless way as possible with sensitivity and to preserve their dignity. Training is also given to make sure that those people who assist others to move do not hurt themselves in the process as injury could put them off work and disrupt vital services.

 The company worked closely with the city council in developing, testing and implementing a programme of training and support for the 1,200 care employees who move or handle equipment to assist older and disabled people. HME, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary operates, from its own premises which have specialist training rooms. Ten specialists run courses there, at other venues and in-house training. This includes load handling training in all work environments plus postural assessments for people working with computers or close-up work in laboratories and other workers who may risk repetitive strain injuries Staff have also given presentations on subjects and held workshops at conferences across Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia. The company has vast experience – directors Rosemary Rodgers and Martin Hutchinson first started developing training programmes together in Nottinghamshire two decades ago. Some of their staff have been with them since the company started. They work in a field where it is difficult to change human behaviour and practice, but to win the National Training Award the company had to provide evidence that such change had taken place in the way that council staff worked. 

Rosemary said the award was the icing on the cake for the 10th birthday celebrations.“We are particularly delighted for our highly qualified, experienced and skilled staff who work so hard in presenting the courses and giving advice that can make such a difference to people’s lives,” she said. Rosemary said that the programme with the council had transformed employees’ skills and service delivery in Derby, and that other local authorities -  Nottinghamshire, Wrexham and Anglesey – has started similar packages. Councillor Dave Roberts, Derby City Council cabinet member whose responsibilities include personnel matters, said he was delighted that the company had been recognised at national level for its partnership with the authority. In addition to local authorities, the company helps train staff at NHS trusts, the ambulance service, private homes, schools, universities, nurseries, and community transport schemes.

 

# Rosemary is pictured left with Darren Allsobrook, Derby City Council health and safety adviser, who received the award from former tennis star and BBC television presenter Sue Barker at a ceremony at the Lancaster Gate Hotel in London.

 For further information contact Rosemary Rodgers at HME on 0115 944 7010

 

Expanding media company rebrands itself as it enters new phase 

December 4, 2007  

COMMUNICATIONS company Robinson Media has rebranded itself as it consolidates its business and launches into a new era of growth. Directors Ian Hawkins and Laurie Smith decided on a fresh look for the image to mark a new era for the company which deals in print, design, web, mailing, and marketing.  

The company can trace its roots back to 1989 when it started as Print iT(Nottm) which traded in the graphics reproductions market. Over the years opportunities and activities grew and in 2003 three separate businesses were brought together under the one name of Robinson Media, and moved from Long Eaton to premises at Ashbourne Court on the Manners Industrial Estate in Ilkeston. 

In March 2005 the company set up a studio called fresh:i in the premises as a stand alone provider for web and IT solutions as well as serving other needs for Robinson Media and its clients. Using high-tech equipment the company can print anything from business cards to full colour brochures and promotional literature. In the last year the company invested £200,000 in a new digital press. It provides direct mailing and marketing services, much of it personalised to individual householders.The company also designs and hosts websites for 250 customers across the country. Altogether, Robinsons can boast more than 900 clients, with the numbers increasing. The company has just won a two-year contract for the supply of print to a blue chip company worth more than £250,000 a year. It has planning permission to extend the 5,876 sq ft building by another 3,000 sq ft for a distribution warehouse to serve its clients and work is expected to start next year.

The re-branding includes new signs on the premises, corporate literature, website and e-mail headers. The company now employs 21 people and is planning to recruit more as business expands. It is hoping to run a 24-hour printing operation which itself would create up to another five jobs. Expansion plans do not just include the existing business. “We are looking to grow further business by acquiring other companies within the East Midlands,” said Ian.

The company has joined Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber and has just become a member of award winning enterprise agency Erewash Partnership which promotes economic regeneration. It is hosting an open day at the premises on December 12 when customers and potential clients can go along and have a look at their facilities along with Partnership members.

For further information contact Sally Arden at Robinson Media on 0115 944 2063

 

Cars from sponsor help kidney patient to top four places in rally for charity

 September 21, 2007

CARS provided by an Ilkeston company that services prestige models took two of the top four places in a rally that raised money for charity.Sports Tech, based at Griffon Road on Quarry Hill Industrial Park, provided cars which came third and fourth in the Scally Rally – a 1,500 mile journey from Calais to Rimini over four days that had more than 120 entries.

 The two teams were led by Chris Curtis, commercial manager for Lloyds TSB Banking in Nottingham, who last year underwent a life-saving operation to receive a kidney from his father, David, after suffering renal failure. Sports Tech, which sells and services Audi, BMW and Mercedes models, helped Chris because he was its business banking manager when the company set up last year. Teams had to use bangers which cost less than £100, and Sports Tech helped by finding and supplying the cars and spending 30 hours of maintenance work to get them up to scratch. With some cars braking down and some failing to finish, Chris was quick to acknowledge the part that Sports Tech played in the success of his two teams. “There were no problems with our cars,” he said. “They were trouble-fee despite some tough driving conditions, particularly with the challenges of the roads in the Dolomite mountains in Italy.” Ben Williamson, co-director of Sports Tech, the main sponsor of the two teams, said: “I am and my colleagues are delighted with the results, and particularly the work that we put in on the cars which obviously paid off.”

For finishing third Chris and colleagues won a trophy, a free entry into next year’s rally and £400 which will go towards his nominated charity, Leicester Kidney Patients Association, which helped him through his treatment at Leicester General Hospital. Chris said that the rally, which included various tasks in addition to challenging driving through spectacular terrain, was fantastic. “Everybody who went on it thought it was the most awesome thing they have done,” he said.

So far, Chris and colleagues have raised £7,000 towards their target of £8,000 as a thank-you for the help he received during a traumatic time. Anybody who wants to donate should go to the website www.kidneyboys.co.uk 

For further information call Ben Williamson at Sports Tech on 0115 930 9594 or Chris Curtis on 07725 426518

 

Accountant ticks the boxes on quality check

June 19,2007 

Long Eaton accountancy firm LJ Hanbury is celebrating being awarded a prestigious quality mark by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the professional body that regulates and monitors accountants worldwide.

Photograph Courtesy of DWA Photography

The firm, based on Tamworth Road, had to demonstrate best practice in all aspects of its business during a recent rigorous inspection by an officer of the association to achieve the accreditation. 

It was set up by Linda Hanbury, a former tax and accountancy lecturer at Derby College who decided to swap the classroom for her own practice which employs four staff. She started from scratch doing a tax return for one individual and now has 250 clients, most of whom have been referred. Because of Long Eaton’s location, clients are mainly from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, though there are two in Australia and one in New Zealand who emigrated there and retained Linda’s services. “Our emphasis is on customer care – providing a friendly, personal, jargon-free, efficient service,” she said.“I’m delighted that the firm has won this prestigious award,” said Linda. “What is particularly pleasing is that we did no special preparation for the check. The inspector had a free run of the office. We did not choose any exemplorary files for her to look at.“It’s the firm’s ninth birthday on June 30 so this award is a nice little present.”

Only 322 accountancy firms out of thousands in the UK have the ACCA Quality Checked award. Peter Large, ACCA’s executive director of professional standards, said: “This award is one way of assuring businesses and the public that they can have confidence in the services offered by accountancy firms. “The standards we set are high and it is a major achievement to secure this award, which reflects well on the calibre of staff and the services it offers to its clients.” 

For further information contact Linda Hanbury on 0115 849 4242 linda@ljhanbury.co.uk or visit www.ljhanbury.co.uk

 

Local Marketing Company Blooms at the NEC

Derbyshire-based marketing agency, JB Marketing & Consultancy (JBMC), has successfully completed another winning exhibition stand for Hewlett Packard at Sign UK and Digital Expo, held at the NEC in May.

From humble beginnings working out of her back bedroom in February 2005, principal Berni Dack has grown JBMC into a successful small business servicing manufacturers and resellers within the IT and Print supply industries. And she’s done this without a bank loan or major government grant - some feat indeed in this age of handouts and guaranteed incomes!  But for Berni, no-one puts it better than the Dalai Lama when he says “great love and great achievements involve great risks”. 

“The stand was a great success and we’re delighted to have secured business with such a prestigious company as HP,” says Berni, “Our background is rooted in channel marketing for the IT supply chain and we have worked with manufacturers on various projects including product pocket-books, reseller events and trade exhibitions. JBMC have over 30 years combined experience in marketing and design and can execute dynamic marketing campaigns efficiently, without any of the trappings or the costs of a central London agency.

It seems her belief in this and her determination to succeed has paid off - now based at new offices in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, Berni states that the success of the business is down to a clearly identifiable need for her services. “We spent time early on identifying customer types, analysing their needs and matching them to our skills. From this we were able to put a strategy in place that allowed us to offer clients a menu of marketing communications services that they could pick ‘n’ mix to suit their particular need. Whether they have an in-house marketing department that we work along side or they out-source their marketing communications entirely to us, we only ask that our clients view us as an extension to their own sales and marketing teams in order to get the best out of their marketing budget.”

Berni also believes that involvement with local business support teams at the Erewash Partnership and their Business Focus workshops in the early stages of the company’s development had a great impact on the direction of the business.

JBMC currently offer expert services in PR & Media Relations, Exhibitions and Event Management, Graphic and Web Design and Telemarketing with a specialisation in marketing communications for IT manufacturers, distributors and resellers. For more information on JBMC, visit www.jbmc.co.uk or call Berni on 0115 9447744. 


HP Stand At Sign UK – Photo 1 – Large Format Printing Solutions