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Top story
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Time for a new revolution
Like the development of Silicon Valley following the depression of the 1930s and the birth of Microsoft out of the 1980s recession, this downturn is the opportunity for a new revolution. This is what futurologist and former BBC journalist James Bellini will tell businesses at this year’s Venturefest Yorkshire, which is taking place today at York Racecourse. The historian of the future, who is the keynote speaker at the event for early stage science and technology companies, says that by 2020 companies will be decentralised and work through a network of specialists. “We have a serious downturn but it’s not a time to batten down the hatches,” he told Insider. “Move the business on and make it ready for the upturn.”
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Deals
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RBS steps up for Inman
Electrical wholesaler and distributor Inman & Co (Electrical), based in Sheffield, has secured a funding line from The Royal Bank of Scotland to aid its growth. The undisclosed sum will be used to support Inman’s aim to become the principal distribution partner for Philips Consumer Lifestyle in the UK, which has so far boosted turnover by 47 per cent to £26m. Inman and Co (Electrical) is a family-owned business that serves a wide variety of clients from independent retailers to multi-site wholesalers, the leisure industry and public bodies including NHS hospitals and education authorities.
Local boost for rail business
Industrial manufacturer International Products (UK), based in Sheffield, has acquired the Bryar Group’s rail equipment business out of administration, saving 20 jobs. The new business, which will trade as Tracman, designs and supplies rail tools and track maintenance equipment to clients including London Underground and Network Rail. International Products' managing director Ian Palmer said: “I was keen to acquire the rail equipment business because its products complement our existing range. Combining the two businesses safeguards the jobs of a dedicated workforce – a great result in the current climate.”
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Business
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Clyde boosts order book
Clyde Process Solutions has secured a £1m order from the world’s leading producer of platinum through its South African business Clyde Materials Handling Africa. The company will supply, install and commission six pneumatic conveying systems to the customer to help it double capacity at one of its South African platinum smelters. Two of the systems will transport platinum concentrate within the customer’s facility and four will handle potentially harmful dusts generated during the smelting process.
The contract win follows a £9.3m order secured from a provider of sugar products in the US, announced last week.
Huthwaite joins masses in Dubai
Huthwaite International has extended an agreement with its existing Egyptian licensee, Logic Consulting, to the United Arab Emirates. Logic Consulting, which has delivered Huthwaite’s research-based sales training for three years in Egypt, has become the company’s fastest-growing licensee. Darren Gill, international business manager for the Wentworth-based company, said: “Having had success in a Middle Eastern territory, we felt it was a natural expansion to select Logic, which could build on this success to help Huthwaite break into the lucrative UAE market.”
Digital grants awarded
Games developer Tuna Technologies and mobile phone technology company Blink have become the first two Yorkshire companies to obtain £5,000 grants from 4iP for public service technology projects. At the launch of Channel 4’s innovation fund, 4iP, the companies took part in a pitching competition with fellow contestants Rattle and Youpigs. Tuna Technology, based in Sheffield, received funding for its idea to develop maps displaying CCTV information and Huddersfield's Blink proposed developing public service SMS messaging to enable communities to interact with their environment. 4iP is also supporting the region’s digital talent at Insider’s Yorkshire Digital Awards at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on 7 May 2009. Click here before 13 February 2009 to enter.
Wilton steps in as money man
White Young Green has appointed David Wilton, group finance director of Adler & Allan Holdings, as finance director. Wilton was a former director in the investment banking division of Rothschild. Current finance director Bob Hartley becomes services director in the restructuring of its executive team after the departure of chief executive Lawrie Haynes and commercial director Denis Connery, and Paul Hamer's promotion to group managing director, earlier this year.
Moves at United
Sheffield United has promoted commercial manager Andy Daykin to corporate director and appointed former star striker Tony Agana as sales manager. The pair will work for the club’s executive director Mike Farnan as it develops further commercial opportunities and partnerships in the UK and internationally.
Neilson moves up a gear with investment
Neilson Hydraulics has developed its capacity to design its own hydraulic systems. The company, based in Sheffield, worked with Sheffield Hallam University on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme and has invested in a Solidworks 3D computer-aided design system as well as finite element analysis software. The company has also invested in the latest Sauer Danfoss Plus+1 electro-hydraulic technology.
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Property
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Deal signed on Meadowhall
Property investor London & Stamford has formed a joint venture with The British Land Company to run the freehold interest of Meadowhall Shopping Centre. The company will acquire a 50 per cent stake in the development for £587.7m, which values the development at £1.18bn, with the continuation of an £835m debt. British Land will be appointed property manager to Meadowhall and act jointly with London & Stamford as adviser for the joint-venture company, which will also own and administer properties nearby including a Premier Inn Hotel, TGI restaurant and the Meadowhall distribution centre.
Extra space for Premier
Office fit-out company Premier Storage and Office Solutions has leased 1,034 sq ft in Doncaster after further expansion. The company has taken space at Network Space’s West Moor Park Networkcentre on a three-year lease, taking the site to 74 per cent capacity.
Timber business buys Sheffield shed
McClure Timber Supplies has paid £890,000 for a warehouse unit at Walesbar in Sheffield. The 19,306 sq ft single-storey unit was previously owned by the Department for Children, Schools & Families (DCSF), which used it for document storage. It is located on Mansfield Road, two miles south west of junction 31 of the M1. DTZ advised the DCSF on the disposal.
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