The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

Leicestershire-based CMS Cepcor opens £3m technical centre creating 10 jobs Leicestershire-based CMS Cepcor, which makes parts used in mining, has opened a £3m, 30,000 sq. ft. technical centre to help fulfil strong overseas demand, creating 10 jobs. The centre will increase capacity and facilitate product development. The firm, which has 66 staff, is taking on apprentices from Stephenson College. Turnover of £24m is expected in 2013.

Centrick Property opening second Birmingham office with potential new jobs Centrick Property, a lettings, estate agency and property management company, is to open its second office in Birmingham. The agency will invest £70,000 in fitting out the 1,100 sq. ft. premises, which are expected to open on 1 May 2013, potentially creating new jobs. 50 employees.

Venture Capital: £1.5m funding secured by Manchester manufacturer Greater Manchester manufacturer MHA Lighting is hoping to double turnover by the end of 2013 after securing £1.5m in new capital from the North West Fund and Harwell Capital.  The company recorded turnover of £1.5m in 2012 and is on target to reach £3m by the end of this year.

Iliad secures major Warrington contract with 5,000 potential new jobs Iliad has been selected by Warrington Borough Council as joint venture partner for a £190m development in Warrington.  The 10-year project will connect the bus interchange with the Warrington Wolves Halliwell Jones Stadium and provide educational, business and leisure facilities and residential property. 1,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs are expected.

£4.6m finance package secured by Specialist Heat Exchangers Lincolnshire-based Specialist Heat Exchangers has secured a £4.6m finance package to support its expansion into the US, Middle East, South America and China.  The funding from HSBC's Leicestershire Commercial team will also enable the company to develop new products, widening the markets it can serve.  The company employs 120 staff ad will be adding a further seven as a result of its planned growth.

National Express secures £80m contracts with potential for new jobs National Express has secured two contracts worth £80m over seven-years, which could create US and UK jobs. It has signed an agreement to run a coach service between London Luton Airport and London Victoria Coach Station from 1 May 2013. It is also to provide operations and maintenance for Solano County Transit in Vallejo, California.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Newcastle University secures £7m government funding for Centre for Subsea and Offshore Engineering Newcastle University has been handed £7m of government funding to establish the Neptune Centre for subsea and offshore engineering. The move is part of an oil and gas strategy designed to secure billions of pounds of future investment.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Griffin Freight Services secures finance package for new vehicles and 15 new jobs Nottinghamshire transport and haulage company Griffin Freight Services, is preparing for further growth after investing £500K in new vehicles and creating 15 jobs with support from Yorkshire Bank.

Nagra Media UK creates 25 new jobs in Cwmbran Office premises. Bank funding. Nagra Media UK is to expand its operations in Cwmbran and create 25 skilled jobs.  The expansion is supported with business finance from the Welsh Government.

20 New Jobs in online fashion retailer ASOS Online fashion retailer ASOS is to create 20 jobs in Birmingham to assist its global growth plans.  The company is recruiting 20 senior positions to focus on creating new company websites.  The number of roles in Birmingham could rise to about 50 over the next 12 months.

£20m factory development in Wednesbury, West Midlands with potential new jobs Opus Land and property investor St Francis Group, are undertaking a £20m factory development in Wednesbury, West Midlands, which could create jobs. A £4m project to clear the site has begun and should be completed by the end of 2013. The firms will then look for firms to move onto the site.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Seneca investment in T&E Display Seneca has made its first investment in the Midlands in Birmingham-based T&E Display Group.  The investment supports the management's development of the business, which is also set to benefit from operational and market synergies in other Seneca portfolio investments Seneca in the sector.  Seneca invest in businesses across most sectors with turnover of between £5m and £100m.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £250K investment means new jobs in SocialRel8 Software company SocialRel8, that helps call centres to provide better customer service by improving the way staff handle inquiries, has secured £250,000 of investment.  £100,000 from the Finance for Business North East Proof of Concept Fund with a further £150,000 coming from a number of angel investors.  This new funding will create jobs and help to develop complementary products.

Grimsby wind farm brings 50 new jobs THE contract to construct the £3-million E.on operations and maintenance base on Grimsby's North Quay has been awarded to ISG Plc, an international services company that delivers fit out and build.  The contract will lead to 50 permanent jobs in the town.

Venture Capital: £14m funding expected for Electronic Patient Record System   The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust expects to receive nearly £14m in government funding for taking CSC's Lorenzo electronic patient record system.  An interim deal between the Department of Health and CSC gives the first ten trusts who commit to taking the system before April a signing-on bonus of 1m, as well as up to 4m in implementation expenses.  The trust will receive centrally provided funding of nearly 5m in deployment charges and 4.7m in service charges for the full EPR over five years.

£70m Outsourcing Partnership: £600K Contract Win - Job Gains UNIFY has won a contract to supply telecommunications to international service company Serco as part of its £170m outsourcing partnership with Aegon UK.  The contract is valued at £600K and is to be delivered over a five-year period resulting in the creation of 5 permanent IT roles.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: First investment made by Warwickshire-based Mercia Fund Management Warwickshire-based Mercia Fund Management has made its first investments from its latest fund to Warwick Audio Technologies and Keele-based NanoTherics.  Mercia Growth Fund 1 was launched in 2012 and reached about 2m in size. The second growth fund is expected to close by June 2013.

Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Hastings call centre jobs may arise to boost the economy Hundreds of new jobs are on the cards for Hastings, if a business case study shows it is feasible to set up call and contact centres in the district. The other region being looked at is Nelson.

Alverton Insurance Brokers moves premises with potential new jobs North Yorkshire-based Alverton Insurance Brokers has moved to new premises following a rise in demand for services. The firm is extending its range of products and may create new jobs.

Leeds law firm recruiting specialist property team Law firm Ward Hadaway has expanded the property department at its Leeds office with the recruitment of a specialist social housing team, including partner John Murray and assistant solicitor Simon Thirtle.  The firm has a growing number of clients in the social housing sector.

Bristow Group secures £1.6bn contract bringing 30 new jobs to Newquay Bristow Group has secured a 10-year contract with the Department for Transport, to run UK helicopter search and rescue operations. Under the £1.6bn contract, 22 helicopters will operate from 10 bases, including Newquay Cornwall Airport, where 30 jobs will be created. Turnover £655m, 2,400 employees.

International contracts secured by Wild Life World with new jobs created Wild Life World, a Gloucestershire company which designs and produces products to encourage wildlife, is creating five jobs after securing 107 business contracts and orders after attending a toy and educational fair in Nuremberg, Germany. Wildlife World has 15 members of staff and a turnover of £2m.

Major contract secured for Manchester commercial development with potential for new jobs Galliford Try has been appointed by Muse Developments to undertake the sixth phase of development on the Smithfield regeneration scheme in Manchester. It will include the construction of 77 apartments and 6,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. The contract could create employment opportunities. Turnover £1.5bn, 3,870 employees.

New bar at Newcastle United FC creates 30 jobs Sodexo Prestige is converting the former ticket office at St James Park stadium in Newcastle, into a new bar, in a £300,000 investment.  The 700-capacity Terrace Bar will create 30 new jobs and will open in April 2013. Sodexo will employ 700 catering and events staff at the ground, following the latest recruitment.

Major contract secured by Anglesey-based Peninsula Home Improvements creating new jobs Anglesey-based Peninsula Home Improvements has secured a contract with German manufacturer Solarlux.  Peninsula will act as a dealer for Solarlux products, which include aluminium and timber conservatories, folding sliding glass doors and balcony glazing.  Peninsula is creating new jobs as a result of the contract.

8 companies move to Harlech airfield with 30 jobs created Llanbedr Airfield Estates has attracted 8 companies to Llanbedr Airfield near Harlech, Wales, with 30 jobs created.  The company is actively promoting the site and is in discussions with further businesses interested in moving there.

150 temporary jobs lost but 300 engineering jobs expected at Airbus, Broughton, Wales Airbus is not renewing temporary contracts of some staff working at its wing factory in Broughton, Wales. It is believed that 150 contract workers with recruitment firm Blue Arrow are affected.  Approximately 400 Blue Arrow temporary contractors work at the site. Airbus could recruit up to 300 engineers at Broughton in the coming year.

Tesco opening Barking and Dagenham distribution depot bringing 450 jobs Tesco is to open a new cold storage distribution depot in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.  The retailer is recruiting 300 warehouse team members and 150 drivers for the new depot. Job Centre Plus is delivering the recruitment campaign.

LeaseWeb opens London office and plans to appoint sales team LeaseWeb, an Infrastructure as a Service provider, is opening a UK sales office in London. LeaseWeb has appointed Dale Weedman as part of its business development team with further recruitment expected.  The company hopes to capitalise on opportunities in the growing UK e-commerce, online gaming and mobile computing market.

EasyJet creating 200 jobs for pilots Airline EasyJet is to create 200 jobs for pilots in 2014, as it continues with its expansion plans.  The posts will be open to those currently flying for the military. The new posts will be offered across all 11 of EasyJet’s UK bases and its European sites.  Turnover £3.8bn, 8,200 employees.

Management Moves: Private equity investment and management changes in Validus-IVC Private equity firm LDC is acquiring a significant stake in Norwich-based motor claims consultancy Validus-IVC.  The investment will support future growth at Validus. Chairman Philip Easter, chief technology officer James Duez, and business development director Gary Steward, have stepped down. Paul Hewitt will replace Easter as chairman.  Paul Hewitt will replace Easter as chairman.

Venture Capital: Tanfield Group raising £2.1m working capital through conditional placing Aerial work platform maker Tanfield Group is raising £2.1m through a conditional placing. The new funds raised from the move will be used for working capital for the Tyne & Wear-based company. Law firm Ward Hadaway advised Tanfield on the transaction.

Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £1.6m funding secured by Liverpool crane company A Liverpool crane company has secured £1.6m funding to expand its fleet to service North West contracts.  This latest funding was provided by Allied Irish Bank and brings the company's total investment over the past six months to £4m.

£100m Investment in Humber Ports brings 100 new construction Jobs Associated British Ports has signed a 15-year contract with Drax Power which will lead to terminal investments of up to £100m to handle wood pellet shipments at its Humber Ports of Immingham, Hull and Goole.  The project will generate approximately 100 jobs at ABP's Humber Ports during the construction phase and more than 100 permanent positions will be supported once the facilities become fully operational over the next few years.

1,000 new jobs in Whiteley shopping centre opening British Land is opening Whiteley Shopping Centre in Hampshire in May 2013, creating 1,000 jobs. The £84m centre was developed by British Land in partnership with USS. Recruitment is underway to fill vacancies at 50 new shops, restaurants and cafes, including Clintons, JD Sports, Starbucks, Topshop and Next.

Contemporary Oak Furniture relocates to larger warehouse with potential new jobs Contemporary Oak Furniture is relocating to a 40,953 sq. ft. warehouse building at Nova Centre in Avonmouth, as part of its expansion strategy. It is relocating from a 16,000 sq. ft. warehouse to the larger unit.  The expansion could create employment opportunities.

£1m factory expansion in Wishaw, Lanarkshire brings 50 new jobs ENE Group is creating 50 jobs at its factory in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, following its acquisition of modular construction firm Powerwall out of administration in August 2012.  The company has separated Powerwall into Enemetric, focused on modular buildings, and Enewall, which makes pre-mixed renders, and is investing £1m to expand the Wishaw factory.

Loungers Ltd opening Dorchester branch with 30 new jobs Loungers Ltd is opening a new cafe-bar in Dorchester, Dorset, in May 2013, as part of its on-going expansion.  Thirty jobs will be created at the new outlet. The national chain offers informal, neighbourhood food and drinks. Turnover 15m, 420 employees.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £3m funding package awarded to Elite Transport Services in the North West North West haulage business Elite Transport has secured a new £3m funding package from Bibby Financial Services.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: 14 new jobs - creating 2 managerial posts - 10m contract secured Northern Ireland-based SAM Mouldings has secured a 10m contract to supply mouldings, skirting boards and architraves to UK DIY retailer Wickes for distribution to 200 outlets.  It is creating 14 new jobs as a result of the contract is recruiting two managers with the help of 21,600 of funding from Invest NI. Turnover 12.5m, 80 employees.

£18m investment in Blackwood brings 70 New Jobs Packaging manufacturer Seda UK is to make a multimillion-pound investment at its Blackwood facility and create 70 new jobs.  Seda UK, part of Italian business Seda International Packaging Group, is to invest £18m at the site in Caerphilly supported with £5.4m business finance from the Welsh Government.  The investment will also safeguard more than 170 jobs.

Rossendale care village development creates 94 jobs Park Lane & Co Developers is planning to build a care village in Rossendale, Lancashire, which could create 94 jobs for managers, care assistants and support staff. The village would comprise apartments and a specialist care unit for people with acquired brain injuries and those with similar needs.

Private equity funding secured by postal operator Secured Mail for service expansion and new jobs Postal operator Secured Mail has secured further funding from private equity firm Next Wave Partners to support expansion of its home shopping packet service, including investment into machinery and new jobs at its Northamptonshire sorting office. Turnover in 2013 is expected to grow to £80m, up from £48m in 2011.

Sheffield-based Fluent Communication secures funding secured to create 40 jobs Sheffield-based Fluent Communication, an IT lead generation company, is relocating to new premises and tripling its workforce after securing an investment of 210,000 from the Finance Yorkshire Equity Linked Fund.  The company also plans to upgrade its IT infrastructure. Paul Edgeley has been appointed as a director and chairman.

Management Moves: Managing Director appointed by Rockford IT Shropshire-based Managed IT Solutions Company, Rockford IT has appointed Darren Kirby as Managing Director.  Tom Sykes, Rockford ITs founder, who has held the Managing Director position until now, has moved to the role of Technical Director and will be the Chairman of the Board of Directors

100 New Jobs as Midcounties Co-operative opens Walsall   The Midcounties Co-operative is to invest in Walsall and see the creation of 100 customer service jobs to support its domestic energy supply business and the re-opening of offices.

80 new jobs as TT Assembly Systems expands into Merseyside TT Assembly Systems, a Japanese automotive supplier specialising in wheel and tyre assembly, is opening a new facility on Knowsley Industrial Park in Liverpool, creating more than 80 jobs. The site is expected to open by June 2013. Turnover £5.4m.

Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group

www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

New TK Maxx Bath store brings 30 new jobs Discount clothing chain TK Maxx is creating 30 jobs in Bath with the opening a new store.  The company has 240 UK Stores.

50 new jobs for Clydebank in £1.6m Project Clydebank Re-built, an urban regeneration company has launched a £1.6m project, which will result in seven new workshop units and six sites being prepared for small factories and create up to 50 new jobs in Clydebank.

Sales up to £20m at Barrier Sales have doubled to more than £20m at Barrier, the Wallsend-based industrial coatings specialist, and pre-tax profit rose from £13,878 to £91,962.

Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk