The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Bank funding secured by Ryder Imports in Colville brings potential new jobs Ryder Imports, an importer and manufacturer of fishing, golf, driving, travel, outdoor, biking, winter and outdoor products, has invested £1.5m in new premises in Coalville, Leicestershire.  The move will support further expansion, which could create jobs.  Barclays provided financial support for the move.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: McGregor Logistics in Doncaster invests in fleet and new jobs A specialist haulage company McGregor Logistics, based in Doncaster, has moved to a new seven-acre site and expanded its fleet of vehicles, following support from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking.  The company expects to increase its turnover by 20 per cent this year to 6.5m, which will lead to the recruitment of new members of staff in the coming year to join its team of 61.

£2.1m funding secured by Aberdeen-based Deep Casing Tools means potential new jobs Aberdeen-based Deep Casing Tools has received £2.1m for working capital from the Scottish Loan Fund, which it will invest in inventory and people as it from early stage to commercial growth. It plans to capitalise on opportunities provided by the growing shale oil and gas sector and the energy industry.

Automotive Insulations expands into Sweden with potential new jobs for the West Midlands Automotive Insulations, which manufactures sound and thermal insulation components, has opened its first overseas operation in Sweden and expects the business to grow to £1m turnover in 18 months. It is opening a second factory in Rugby, West Midlands, in summer 2013, with new jobs expected. 100 employees.

Bradford yarn company Texere Yarns brings new jobs with new warehouse Bradford yarn company Texere Yarns is to take advantage of Bradford Council's Growth Zone incentives to modernise its operations and create two new jobs.  The company has expanded its online sales to around 75 per cent of turnover and is looking to improve order handling to speed up delivery times. It has also leased a second 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse and is developing a new website.

30 new jobs at Apple Aviation at Newquay Cornwall Airport Cheshire based Apple Aviation is to establish its aerospace maintenance facility headquarters at the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Newquay Cornwall Airport.  They are setting up a new 35,000 sq. ft. hanger and will employ 30 highly skilled employees.

New £4m head office and 15 new jobs at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury Consumer goods distributor Intamarque Ltd has opened its new £4 million head office and distribution centre at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury, creating 15 new jobs.  The 80,000 sq. ft. site will have a state of the art stock management system and will have more than 7000 high bay pallet locations.  Turnover £28.024m and currently employ 14 staff.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: New warehouse for Derwentside-based packaging company, Corespec Derwentside-based packaging company Corespec has invested 300,000 to build a new warehouse and set up an additional production line with the help of a second round of support from UK Steel Enterprise.

450 call centre jobs for Cardiff Following a significant new contract win and expansion of contracts with a number of existing leading UK retail clients, Serco Global Services is to recruit an additional 450 new jobs in Cardiff by September 2013.

10 new jobs at Gateshead based IT solutions expert ITPS Gateshead based IT solutions expert ITPS has won new contracts worth £5m allowing them to increasing their staff by 10. This will make them the biggest independently owned IT solutions firm in the North East.

12 new jobs GT Law Ltd in Cardiff GT Law Ltd is to create 12 new jobs with the opening of its first office in Wales. The company currently has 18 locations across the UK.  Andrew Foster, GT Laws head of private client and wealth management is to head up the Cardiff team.

25 new jobs at Gwynedd bakery The Cake Crew Gwynedd bakery The Cake Crew is creating 25 new jobs to meet demand for its cupcakes and the growth in orders from supermarkets.

Venture Capital: Financial restructuring for hotel group Jury’s Inn Hotel group Jury’s Inn has completed a financial restructuring to cut its debt, with a number of new investors providing funds to the business.  Existing shareholders Oman Investment Fund and Avestus Capital Partners have worked with lenders IBRC, Ulster Bank, AIB and the company's management team to complete the restructuring.  New investment in the region of £120m will now come from Oman Investment Fund, Mount Kellett Capital Management LP, Ulster Bank and Westmont Hospitality Group.

130 new jobs at insurance firm Autonet Insurance firm Autonet has unveiled a £250K expansion plan to set up a training centre and create 130 new jobs.  The company is turning its former call centre HQ into a training academy.

Private Equity / Bank Funding:  Nottinghamshire manufacturer Strata Products invests in new machinery Nottinghamshire manufacturer Strata Products has invested in new machinery after securing a £400,000 asset finance package with Santander Corporate & Commercial.  The company has 75 Employees.

Sports bar re-opened in Stafford Rileighs Sports Bar based in Stafford has reopened under new management, creating jobs for 8 members of staff and several more on a casual basis. Lloyds TSB provided the funding for the 13,000 sq. ft. property.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £1.7m funding secured by South Lanarkshire-based Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global South Lanarkshire-based Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global, which makes customised laser chips, has secured 1.7m of funding for new equipment from the Scottish Loan Fund. The company is bringing more of the production process in-house and expanding its product range.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £1m funding secured by Glasgow software company, VisionWare, VisionWare, a Glasgow software company, has received £1m from the Scottish Loan Fund. It will use the funding, as well as additional support from the Bank of Scotland, to increase sales of its data management software MultiVue in the UK and US.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £5.7m funding secured by Worcestershire company SSE Audio Group Worcestershire company SSE Audio Group has received a £5.7m funding injection from RBS Corporate Transactions to fund expansion plans, including the acquisition of Manchester-based Wigwam Acoustics.   The enlarged SSE group employs 140 full time staff with forecast combined revenues in excess of 20m.  Wigwams Manchester base will be added to SSEs current locations.  www.theukknackgroup.co.uk Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk