Member News

Are you a Norfolk manufacturer based outside of Norwich and Great Yarmouth City Centre?

You might be eligible for 50% skills funding!

Labour and skills shortages are widely recognised as a huge concern and financial drain for Norfolk businesses.  In recognition of the need to support Norfolk manufacturer’s productivity and growth, Cassandra Andrews Ltd has developed an ‘Engaging Manufacturing for Growth’ programme to ensure you have a talent and succession plan to support the growth of your manufacturing business.  

The programme is currently being considered for 50% funding from the European Social Fund and in consequence would offer a significant discount and value for money.

Rather than providing line management ‘skills training’ in isolation, the programme will look holistically at your business, identifying your business challenges and focusing on achieving success through your workforce.  The programme will support you with a way forward that is flexible, adaptable and driven by you including:

• An on-site review of current engagement levels in your business, based on the Engage for Success enablers.
• Motivational Maps for the management team to identify what individual managers are motivated by and to what extent their key motivators are being met.
• A simple review of current people management practices.
• An action plan aligned to business priorities with key metrics to monitor success of the programme eg absence/turnover rates, productivity, H&S accidents etc
• A bespoke line managers skills development programme, including three days formal training and three days on-site coaching.  This will be created and delivered from a menu of short courses/sessions such as motivating and engaging your team, performance management, absence management etc

Professional development has proven effective in retaining top talent, maintaining quality levels, and achieving competitive advantage.  In addition, it is widely reported that 75% of employees leave their line manager not the business.  As this is one of the four drivers for engaged employees, it is critical for your bottom line that all line managers understand the key business benefits of an engaged workforce and how to lead, motivate and engage their teams.

Important Information

• You should be a manufacturer based outside Norwich and Great Yarmouth City Centre.  With particular interested in manufacturers based in West and North Norfolk
• You should employ less than 250 people 
• It is expected that the programme would start Autumn/Winter 2018

Places are limited, for more information please email Cassandra on cassandra@cassandraandrews.com or call 07544 386818

Bolting specialist Gee-Force Hydraulics is opening its doors for a customer awareness week to showcase its expanding equipment range of portable products for offshore and manufacturing engineering.

It is inviting its clients and potential clients to its Great Yarmouth headquarters in the week beginning Monday 23 July when expo vans from manufacturers HTL and Climax will be on site.

The company, which marked a record £1m turnover last year and is on course to break that record this year, wants businesses to feed back on what equipment they would like to see on its Beacon Park shelves.

Managing Director Graeme Cook said including the portable range from Climax, which includes pipeline repairs, re-facing flange facers, and pipe preparation, was in response to customer demand.

“We will be the only company having these portable machines here,” he said. “We will be carrying stock on our shelves in Great Yarmouth, which will take out excessive carriage charges for customers. We already have some out on hire now.

“There is much demand for this portable machine – for manufacturing, offshore work, including flange facing and use at the Bacton gas terminal by different companies.”

The equipment has been used by Gee-Force customers working as contractors on the Spirit Energy offshore project at Morecambe Bay and also at Bacton Gas Terminal.

“We’re expanding our shelving to accommodate the pneumatic or hydraulic flange facers, pipe bevellers and clam shell cutters. We would like to hear from the market place about any other equipment our clients and potential customers would like on our shelves for hire and purchase. Gee-Force Hydraulics was acquired by its rental and training partner, the national HTL group, bringing an even larger product base for its increasing customers, while maintaining its Gee-Force Hydraulics identity.

Business, especially deliveries of equipment to the Bacton Gas Terminal, has been brisk.

“We are very happy with business in the first six months this year,” said Mr Cook. “If we can maintain this level of growth, our turnover will be another record for us this year in terms of turnover and profit.”

Another innovation is the i-calibrate software on all its torque wrench equipment – manual, hydraulic and pneumatic. Certification and calibration information about each piece of equipment is revealed by hovering a smart phone over the QR code on each piece of equipment.

To take part in the customer awareness week, contact Gee-Force Hydraulics on 01493 603797.

A local firm of independent financial advisers is settling into life on the outskirts of Norwich after their recent office move. Having taken on six new members of staff since February this year, Face to Face Finance is growing fast and was in desperate need of more space. Managing Director Julie Hunt explains:

“Our city centre office on Rose Lane had served us well for 11 years, but with the team continuing to grow, we were getting a bit crowded – the only space left for my desk was on the landing! So we took the decision to move to our new premises at the Cringleford Business Centre where there’s room for us to grow.”

The firm puts their unprecedented growth down to their focus on customer service. As the name suggest, their ethos is to conduct as much of their business as possible face to face with their clients. Julie continues:

“Some of the areas of work we cover can be complicated or difficult for our clients to discuss. Making them feel comfortable and able to ask any questions they may have is important. It enables us to give them the very best financial advice for their individual circumstances – it’s very personal.”

As the team continues to grow, this emphasis on a personal service remains the same. The firm positively encourages visits to their new office where a warm welcome awaits from Julie and the team:

“Our office is always busy. But we encourage a relaxed environment – you’ll find us in our slippers! Believe it or not, it’s been proven that wearing slippers can make for a more productive workforce, and we stand by that! I’m extremely proud of our hard-working team.”

Breakwater IT have welcomed two new arrivals on their Service Desk – Dave Parlour as a Level 1 Engineer and Thomas Secker as a Trainee Systems Engineer.

Breakwater support apprenticeship and work experience schemes within the business and were fortunate to have Thomas join the team during his studies to discover what it is like to work for an IT service provider.

Thomas now returns as a Trainee Systems Engineer, having just completed his A-Levels, and will be learning more about how Breakwater delivers IT services to organisations within East Anglia and beyond.

Another former apprentice within Breakwater, Toby Kalkman, has now progressed to the position of Level 1 Engineer and achieved his CompTIA A+ certification.

Dave Parlour joins the company with valuable experience of supporting users in technological environments. He will work along-side our growing Service Desk team to resolve enquiries, helping many varied organisations use technology to enhance the way they operate.

CSSCloud celebrated a year since the newly-formed company completed a merger to create the region’s new I.T. Support powerhouse with an Open Day. The event was in part a celebration, but also a chance to show off their newly refurbished premises, which has been a significant investment in their Great Yarmouth base. The company also raised funds to install a life-saving defibrillator on-site.

The Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Cllr. Mary Coleman opened the building and launched the festivities on the 6th of July.

The team were joined by customers and local businesses to enjoy food, drink and games in an open-air “street party” – featuring retro arcade games and raffle prizes. Being a technology company, the top prize was a new iPad, which was taken home by lucky Ronnie Blyth from ABC Diesels Ltd.

Besides the festive atmosphere, the event struck a serious note by fundraising for a public defibrillator to be installed at CSSCloud, for the use of everyone on Gapton Hall Industrial Estate.

This equipment is provided in partnership with Heart2Heart Norfolk, set up by Jayne Biggs following her 7 year old daughter’s sudden cardiac arrest. Thankfully, a defibrillator saved her life and Jane now campaigns to ensure this life-saving equipment is freely available around Norfolk.

Capitalising on people enjoying the food, drink and party atmosphere, the team at CSSCloud were able to raise enough money to cover the defibrillator plus a further donation to Heart2Heart’s funds.

Suffolk County Council and New Anglia Growth Hub have also awarded grants totalling almost £40,000 towards the cost of the building refurbishment. Converting the building into CSSCloud’s new premises, appropriately named Nimbus House, has given a prominent building on the estate a new lease of life and created a hub for the region’s tech talent.

Peter Green of CSSCloud was overjoyed with the turnout:

“Thanks to everyone who visited and made this day possible. A massive thank-you goes out to Jayne and Heart2Heart Norfolk for making a difference in our community and to Suffolk County Council and New Anglia Growth Hub for the grants.

Hopefully, we won’t have to use the defibrillator, but it definitely makes us feel more at ease. The CSSCloud Open Day is one we are never going to forget!”.

For more information contact Alexis Brackpool, FurtherMore Marketing lexi@furthermoremarketing.co.uk or call 01603 273131

The 23rd Lord Mayor’s 5K City Centre Classic Road Race took place in Norwich this weekend, with a record-breaking number of participants. Sponsored for the first time by chartered accountants, Larking Gowen, the race was set up in 1996, and has a reputation as one of the toughest on the UK race circuit, attracting top athletes from the county, and around the UK. “Larking Gowen has an eleven year association as sponsor of the City of Norwich Half Marathon,” says Larking Gowen Managing Partner, Jon Woolston, who presented race winners with prize money at a ceremony in Tombland on Saturday evening, “so we’re delighted to support the Lord Mayor’s 5K road race this year. This high-profile event is challenging, and exciting to watch.” Jon adds, “It’s great to be a part of that, especially as the half-way cut off in front of the Larking Gowen offices, will add some early drama.” “The Lord Mayor’s 5K Classic is an elite race,” says City of Norwich Athletic Club road race coordinator, Richard Polley, who set up the 5K race along with race director, Granville Courtnell. “The city centre roads are closed for the Lord Mayor’s Procession, which is what makes this race possible,” Richard explains, “but we only have a 20-minute window before the procession starts. If a runner doesn’t make the 10-minute halfway point in time, they are automatically disqualified. That adds to the excitement for the 50,000 spectators.” Race director, Granville Courtnell, says, “We are delighted that Larking Gowen is headline sponsor of the Lord Mayor’s 5K. We have a long and beneficial relationship with the firm through their support of the city’s half marathon, which includes providing volunteer marshals, so to have them involved with the 5K is special to us.”

East Anglian Engineering company Pruce Newman are delighted to announce that for the next 12 months they will be supporting The Benjamin Foundation as their Charity of the Year, through a range of fundraising events and promotional activities between now and June 2019. Keith Dixon (Compliance Manager, left) and Alan Pruce (Operations Director, right) recently met with Chris Elliott of the Benjamin Foundation (centre) to launch the partnership and to plan activities for the coming 12 months.

The Benjamin Foundation was set up by Richard and Vanessa Draper in 1994 following the death of their son Benjamin in a motorcycle accident. Starting by providing rural youth services in North Norfolk, the charity has since grown to help around 2,000 people across Norfolk and Suffolk each year, providing them with hope, opportunity, stability and independence.

The charity offers a wide range of services, including:

• Accommodation centres for homeless young people. These provide support and a safe place to live for vulnerable 16-25 year olds with no home, helping them get their lives back on track. They can also accommodate young people who may benefit more from living in a family home.
• Support to strengthen family relationships by working with parents and children. The Benjamin Foundation works in more than 80 schools where they support children with their emotional wellbeing, and parents who need some extra help.
• Help with every day issues such as finding affordable childcare, with their nurseries and pre- and after school clubs in North Walsham and Ditchingham. These help parents continue with their jobs, knowing their children are in safe hands.
• Five retail stores, the profits from which go back into the charity. The Benjamin Foundation has furniture store branches in Holt, Dereham and Norwich, which sell donated furniture and white goods. Their Re-use shop in Ipswich sells a wide range of second-hand items, and Kidstore, in North Walsham, sells nearly new kids clothing, baby equipment and toys.

Pruce Newman, which fabricates and installs specialist industrial pipework and steelwork across the South and East of England, has a strong commitment to delivering positive change in the communities in which it works, and chose the Benjamin Foundation as its 2018-19 Charity of the Year from a wide range of potential charity partners suggested by its staff. Speaking about the selection, Alan Pruce commented:

“After completing a successful 12 months of fundraising for EACH, we have accepted the challenge of helping The Benjamin Foundation, and we are confident that we will be able to provide a similar level of fundraising and support for this worthwhile cause during the next year. The Benjamin Foundation provides much-needed services, operating in a similar geographical area to Pruce Newman, and we’re delighted that we can play our part by raising money and raising awareness for this local charity which is going from strength to strength.

“We’re already planning a packed calendar of events, to keep fundraising momentum high throughout the year, and our staff have already suggested some great ways in which they would like to support The Benjamin Foundation over the next 12 months. As well as participating in their Sleep Out, we’ll be announcing our own challenges – encouraging our staff, customers and suppliers to join in and raise as much as possible for the charity.”

Chris Elliott, Marketing & Fundraising Manager at The Benjamin Foundation, said:

“We are delighted to have the support of Pruce Newman for the coming year. Their support will allow us to continue to provide hope, opportunity, stability and independence to over 2,000 local people who need us each year.”

The Norwich Sleep Out, which builds awareness of the issue of homelessness in the region, is the Benjamin Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event. This year, the event takes place at Carrow Road, on the 15th November. Pruce Newman will be entering a team in the event, and will be publicising details of this, and other fundraising opportunities in the near future. If you’d like to donate, the Pruce Newman team have set up a Virgin Money Giving page – click here to visit the site.

More information about The Benjamin Foundation, and the support that they provide, can be found at benjaminfoundation.co.uk

UK leading refrigeration expert Foster Refrigerator is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is calling on customers to get involved by sharing stories of their experiences with Foster product over the last half century. The King’s Lynn-based company wants to hear from its many loyal customers and is on the hunt for the UK’s longest-standing Foster product in a commercial kitchen. Foster Refrigerator products are designed to be high quality, reliable pieces of equipment that can stand the test of time in any high pressure commercial kitchen, and have been doing so since the company started in 1968. The customer who has the longest-serving Foster product in their kitchen will be able to join in the celebrations with a brand new EcoPro G2 EP700H worth a list price of £2,500 or an equivalent product of the same value. Nick Bamber, European Head of Marketing at Foster Refrigerator says: “We say that our fridges last a lifetime with regular care and maintenance and so to mark 50 years of manufacturing we decided to put this to the test. “We’re regularly with customers in their kitchens, and it never ceases to amaze us how many Foster fridges are still fully operational and going strong after many years – we know there is a fridge out there that’s 26-years-old and going strong! Our products have a reputation for being reliable, so we know there will be products that are older still.” Dealers who are aware of longstanding Foster products can encourage owners to enter the competition. If the winning owner includes the dealer name in their entry, the dealer will receive £250 off their next order. The competition closes on 1st October 2018. To learn more about the competition and to enter visit www.fosterrefrigerator.com/competition

There’s surely no better way to mark World Chocolate Day (Saturday 7th July) than launching two new exciting, premium chocolate bars? So that’s exactly what the clever people at artisan chocolate producer Gnaw Chocolate have done to celebrate any chocolate lovers’ favourite day of the year.

The new range of 72% cocoa dark chocolate bars are available now in two delicious flavours – Gnaw Toasted Coconut; a tropically inspired 72% dark bar with coconutty nibbles and Gnaw Raspberry Crisp; smooth-talking raspberry and chocolatey deliciousness. The premium bars retail at £2.99 RRP and will be a permanent addition to the company’s fun and quirky range.

Lovingly crafted by the Norfolk chocolate manufacturer, these indulgent bars not only taste incredible they are also suitable for an increasing number of consumers who have food intolerances or are making lifestyle choices around the type of food they eat.  The new bars are both suitable for vegetarians and are also dairy-free. The Toasted Coconut bar is also great news for those who have gluten-sensitivity or have coeliac disease as it is gluten-free.

Matt Legon, Gnaw’s Founder says: “By keeping a close eye on the market, we developed the high cocoa, 72% range in response to a clear demand. We are pleased to be able to respond with two exciting new luxurious chocolate bars which not only taste incredible but are suitable for the growing numbers of people living with food intolerances. Our amazing new product development team couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate World Chocolate Day this Saturday than launching our latest creations for chocolate fans to enjoy, both here in the U.K. and around the world”.

Every single one of Gnaw’s artisan chocolates is carefully handcrafted in their Norwich kitchens with locally-sourced ingredients, natural flavours, and no added nasties; the very best of ingredients are all hand-mixed together with a big warm hug of Gnaw playful fun!

The team at Gnaw are a dedicated bunch, intently focussed on their next distinctive flavour-combination, breaking from conventional thinking to bring big smiles to the faces of their customers; their aim? To spread chocolatey joy to everyone.

To get your hands on the new 72% dark chocolate range, please visit www.gnawchocolate.co.uk

Keep up to date with all Gnaw’s chocolatey news by following them on social media: Facebook – Gnaw Chocolate Twitter – @gnawchocolate Instagram – @gnawchocolate  

Attleborough-based heat pump installer Finn Geotherm, has been highly commended in the national BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2018.

Europe’s most prestigious and high profile green business awards, BusinessGreen Leaders brings together the best and brightest from across the green community to celebrate the projects, individuals, teams and organisations that are redefining what it means to be a successful business. The awards recognise the immense progress the UK’s green business community has made in recent years, as sustainable business models and clean technologies have continued to force their way into the mainstream.

At the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards event in London, Finn Geotherm was highly commended within the Energy Efficiency Project of the Year category for the landmark district heating installation it has completed for housing association Flagship Group at 30 flats in South Norfolk.

The first domestic heating scheme for communal use in the East of England, it will cut Flagship customers’ heating bills by two thirds, creating annual savings of hundreds of pounds. In addition, it enables Flagship to dramatically reduce its maintenance costs and CO2 emissions. The project is expected to be the first of many for the housing association, with Flagship hoping to roll out other ground source heat pump systems to other customers as part of its plan to create more affordable and environmentally friendly homes.

Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been highly commended in these awards which recognise the country’s most significant green projects. This is both a testament to the forward-thinking strategic approach of Flagship and the hard work and skill of the team at Finn Geotherm in delivering the best possible solution for the organisation and its tenants.”

For more details on the Flagship installation, see https://finn-geotherm.co.uk/case_study/first-district-heating-scheme-flagship/. For information on ground and air source heat pumps and Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

The borough council is working to bring back into use the Grade II*-listed landmark, which has dominated the famous Golden Mile since 1904 and is of national significance as the UK’s last surviving Victorian seaside cast iron and glass winter gardens.

The council submitted a bid to the HLF’s major batch grant pool in December and has continued discussions with the body, which has indicated that the project does qualify for support but would first need to see a commercial investor-operator on board before any new bid could be made.

The council is now actively seeking to identify and discuss the possibilities with organisations which might be interested in helping to bring the iconic seafront building back into use as a temperate plant house or other suitable use.

The political group leaders, Cllr Graham Plant and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, said: “The council is liaising closely with the HLF, which in addition to praising our positive leadership and commitment, has recognised the Winter Gardens as an iconic building at risk and indicated that funds for repair would be available with a suitable future operator on board.

“This is really welcome news, and reflects confidence in the proactive and valuable work undertaken by this council towards achieving our ambition – and the wider community’s ambition – of bringing this national heritage gem back into use as a viable and unique year-round tourist attraction that supports our economy and cultural status.

“The Winter Gardens represents an exciting and rare opportunity to get involved in breathing new life into a rare-surviving historic icon of the British seaside, and we would love to hear from representatives of any organisations interested in visiting and investing in the building and discussing the possibilities.”

Organisations interested in visiting are asked to contact Stacy Cosham on 01493 846153 or email Stacy Cosham

The farmland market in England is getting tougher, despite average values rising over the first half of 2018, according to land and property specialists Strutt & Parker. “Average prices have been relatively stable over the past couple of years, but it’s important to acknowledge they only reflect the land which has sold and you also need to be looking at what isn’t selling, to give a true reflection of the market,” says Michael Fiddes, head of estate and farm agency. “Our figures show that over a third of the farms marketed in 2017 either remain available or have been withdrawn and these farms are obviously not factored into average prices. “There are still farms selling incredibly well, but overall it is getting tougher. The market remains incredibly polarised with location and farm type, rather than quality, remaining the key drivers of the price achieved. “Land is still achieving excellent prices in areas where there are tight supplies and where buyers are funding a purchase with money from outside of farming. However, in areas where farmer buyers dominate, prices can be lower.” The price paid for arable land in England over the past six months ranges from £6,800 to £15,000/acre. The proportion of farms being bought by buyers using capital made outside of farming is rising. These investors fall into three main categories: lifestyle buyers, individuals with rollover funds from the sale of development land or those looking for an asset with long-term capital growth. To most of these investors, location is key. Demand appears to be strongest for cereal farms, but over 40% of the dairy, mixed, residential farms and estates marketed last year remain available. Farm size also has an effect – only 15% of the larger farms (over 1,000 acres) marketed during 2017 are still available or have been withdrawn, compared with over 40% of 500-1,000 acre farms. Mr Fiddes says: “That we are in this position is not unexpected, and it is one that is likely to continue until there is greater certainty about the impact of policy changes on the agricultural sector. Until then, we will be dealing with a market which is much like the weather – full of extremes.” The Strutt & Parker Farmland Database shows supplies of land coming to the market remain tight, which will be helping to support prices.  Less land was publicly marketed during the first half of 2018 than the equivalent period in 2016 and 2017. However, the trend for farms to be sold off market or privately continues. Strutt & Parker estimates that private sales currently account for 20-25% of the market. Regional outlook: “An interesting phenomenon in the East Anglian region is that large farms and estates are outperforming the rest of the market. It is the sale of the larger blocks of land and estates where we are seeing the fastest sales and at higher £/acre than smaller parcels. This is due to a combination of a limited supply and strong demand from both commercial farmers and buyers with rollover funds from development land sales or profits from company sales to invest. The price of smaller parcels of commercial farmland can be lower as they are attracting buyers solely focused on the levels of return achievable from farming that land.” Giles Allen, East of England region “The market for farms in the North of England has never been so polarised. Arable land is currently ranging from around £6,250/acre to £12,000/acre, with grassland farms selling for £4,000-8,000/acre. The very best properties are making record prices, but farms that require investment, or with no potential to generate additional income streams, are not. There continues to be a stock of properties on the market from 2017 which are yet to go under offer. However, we are starting to notice stronger interest from new non-farming investors and lifestyle buyers, who might be planning to diversify their property portfolios and include land and farms within them.” Will Parry, North region “We are seeing strong demand for land in north Warwickshire and west Leicestershire where there is significant interest from buyers who have funds as a result of the sale of development land and progressive farmers looking to expand their operations. Arable land is typically ranging from around £6,750/acre to £10,000/acre, although areas with an historic lack of supply can achieve premiums above that level.” Sam Holt, East Midlands region “We anticipate quite a bit of land coming to the market in the next few weeks, which is welcome as there is a real lack of supply in the south east. There are still good buyers out there, and ‘best in class’ farms are selling well. However, sales seem to be taking a long time to exchange. Whilst there are a variety of reasons for this, one common theme that we are seeing is onerous overage and clawback provisions being inserted into contracts which can slow progress.” Matthew Gibson, South East region                                        “The sunshine appears to helping the market with both buyers and sellers becoming more active again. In the West Midlands, the market is being driven by farmers and landowners with significant windfalls from selling development land and as a result prices have generally picked up again in the past few months. Although there has been no significant change on the supply of land coming forward, we are starting to be invited to see people who are thinking of selling in the next year or two.” Matthew Sudlow, Central region “Buyers continue to be very discerning, so the best farms and estates are finding strong demand and achieving prices of £12,000/acre or possibly more. There is a shortage of large commercial arable farms available  – only two have been marketed in the region so far this year – and good demand for small sporting estates. The farms that are more difficult to sell include smaller livestock units – and there are a lot available – many of them privately.” Charlie Evans, South West region Read the full Q2 Strutt & Market English estates and farmland review