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Top story
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Aga Rangemaster boss gears up for growth
The chief executive of kitchenware manufacturer Aga Rangemaster has told Insider that one of the main aspects of its success is the ability to “do history better than most”. William McGrath, head of the Leamington Spa-based company, also said the brand was fully committed to its West Midlands headquarters, but was “naturally expanding” across the continent.
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Deals
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Observatory transfers to Marketing Birmingham
Marketing Birmingham has taken over the West Midlands Regional Observatory. Following an open bidding process, the public/private partnership has now completed the transfer of the data and information point and its assets.
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Businesses learn to live without credit
Demand among entrepreneurs for external finance for their businesses fell during the recession, with more than 80 per cent not needing finance or choosing to self-finance instead. That's according to new research from Delta Economics.
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Property
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Coventry and Warwickshire LEP sets up at JLR
The Coventry and Warwickshire LEP has set up its base at the Gaydon plant of Jaguar land Rover (JLR). Manufacturing giant JLR is offering the organisation the unit free-of-charge which it said is “part of its support for the initiative”.
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Stroke Association to move into Bromsgrove
The Birmingham office of property agent DTZ has acquired an 11,700 sq ft office building in Bromsgrove. The building was purchased on behalf of The Stroke Association which is establishing the UK’s first 'Life After Stroke Centre' on the site.
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Templine signs up to Birmingham Business Park
Templine Recruitment has secured a unit at Birmingham Business Park. The company said the 3,500 sq ft office would become its national headquarters.
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Business
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Profits boosted at GKN
Redditch-based GKN has recorded a pre-tax profit of £107m for the first quarter of 2011, representing an increase of more than 50 per cent on its comparable 2010 result. However, despite a positive revenue boost, the engineering company said that the natural disasters which occurred in Japan last month have had “some impact” on the automotive sector.
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Boparan becomes Northern Foods chairman
Birmingham poultry tycoon Ranjit Boparan has become the non-executive chairman of Northern Foods following his £342m takeover of the food manufacturer. It is one of several changes made to the board, which was announced to the Stock Exchange.
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Wow! Stuff wins national HSBC award
Wow! Stuff, the Wolverhampton-based toy developer and manufacturer, has been presented with a cheque for £202,300 from HSBC. The company was named overall national winner of HSBC’s 2010 Business Thinking scheme.
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Insider Membership – Communicate with Midlands Top Companies
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Community
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Digby Jones - Fixing Britain reviewed
Digby Jones is a proud tub thumper for Britain. Michael Taylor wonders if his new book is a voice in the wilderness, or a wake up call that will be heeded.
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Dealmakers wrap: Producing results
 In our latest Dealmakers Wrap - contributed by winners of our Dealmakers Awards 2010 - LDC’s Chris Hurley suggests that there are positive signals for the manufacturing and engineering sectors.
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In Focus: Design issues
Andy Coyne reflects on an environment in which SMEs are still reluctant, or unable, to spend money.
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