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Top story
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West Mids companies storm Sunday Times buyout list
Eight West Midlands companies have made it onto the fifth annual Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100. The highest placed company in the region is Telford-based electrical products supplier Nexus, which enters at number 19. The list ranks the UK’s 100 fastest growing private equity-backed companies over the past two years. Also included is Willenhall-based discount retailer Poundland, which jumped from its 2009 placing of 92 to 46.
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Deals
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329 jobs saved as HPJ Jewellers sold
HPJ Jewellers, based in Stoke-on-Trent, has been bought out of administration. Two newly-formed companies, Gemstone Retail and Gemstone Operations, will take on 52 of the jewellers’ outlets, saving 329 jobs.
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Chamberlin takes on Jebron
Walsall-based engineering group Chamberlin has rescued door closer supplier Jebron from administration. Chamberlin said the acquisition of Wednesbury-based Jebron would be “a highly complementary addition” to its engineering subsidiary Exidor.
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AIM market to pick up in 2011, says PwC
Midlands companies now have a better chance of attracting investor attraction from the AIM market, according to experts at PwC. About 60 of the region’s companies are currently listed on the alternative investment market.
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Wolverhampton College is a cut above with acquisition
The City of Wolverhampton College has acquired a hair and beauty training academy in Worcester. The deal was advised by West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler.
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Property
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Construction workloads plummet
Construction workloads fell in the West Midlands during the last quarter of 2010, according to the latest RICS Construction Market Survey. RICS attributed the drop to government spending cuts and a lack of commercial finance.
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Business
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Universities reveal collaboration plans
The Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham have announced a joint venture framework for collaboration. The partnership will allow the two to work together on research programmes, business engagement and internationalisation.
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Bank split would do damage - CBI chief
The CBI's new director general has warned that breaking up the country's biggest banks could stifle economic growth. John Cridland, who took over the role on Monday (31 January), has today warned the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) that any such move could hold the sector back from providing support.
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Alumet joins BITC
Specialist facade contractor Alumet has become the first small business in the Coventry and Warwickshire region to be enrolled in Business in the Community (BITC).
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