A strong performance from its oilfield business couldn’t prevent Runcorn-based chemicals distributor Samuel Banner from reporting lower turnover and profits. The company announced a turnover of £35.6m for the year to 30 April 2009, compared with £45.7m for the 16 months to 30 April 2008. Its pre-tax profit fell from £125,600 to £43,150 for the same reporting periods. The company said that traditional areas of the business have suffered as a result of the recession, but its more export-orientated oilfield division has helped to balance the lower demand in the UK. It added that it has started to manufacture and distribute a green product called Adblue, which it hopes will generate increased income for the business.

CPL Training, a Liverpool company that provides alcohol licence training courses, has introduced a range of foreign-language examinations seeking to improve accessibility to international candidates. Exams in Bengali, Urdu, Mandarin and Polish have been introduced to reflect the diverse nature of restaurant and bar owners within the UK. Dan Davies, chief executive of CPL Training, said: “Introducing the exams in different languages breaks down this barrier to learning and ensures that the final qualification is more accessible.”

A new report by Liverpool John Moores University’s Michael Parkinson has warned that regeneration projects vital to the economic growth could be hindered by a lack of investment from the private and public sector. The Credit Crunch, Recession and Regeneration in the North report calls for further reforms to financing and delivery of projects with the strongest potential to deliver economic gain from new jobs, industries and renewed communities. It also says that a public-sector recession will jeopardise many projects vital to economic growth in the North. Parkinson said: “It is crucial that policy-makers nationally and locally do all they can to sustain the gains that have been made in the North and to limit the potential damage threatened by the worst credit crunch and deepest recession in living memory.”

Nutrition Point, a gluten- and wheat-free food supplier based in Warrington, is to trial its products in ASDA. The products, including ready meals and pizzas, will be trialled in 30 outlets following a run in concept stores. It is the first time ASDA has stocked chilled gluten- and wheat-free products. Nutrition Point managing director Chris Hook said demand for such products is growing in the current marketplace.

Two more businesses have signed up to partner entrepreneurs’ event RAW 2010. Law firm Pannone and Brother UK will sponsor the one-day event which takes place on 20 January at The Lowry, Salford Quays. Imran Hakim, entrepreneur and organiser of RAW2010, said: “Entrepreneurs go to Brother and Pannone because they know they will get a service tailored to their specific needs, based on years spent building experience and expertise in the entrepreneurial market. It’s this commitment that makes them a clear choice for partnership with our initiative.”

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