June 17, 2022

Wykeland secures £80m world-class Smith+Nephew facility for Melton West business park

Leading Yorkshire commercial property developer Wykeland Group has secured an £80m-plus investment by global medical technology business Smith+Nephew. Subject to planning approval, Smith+Nephew has announced it will build a new research and development and manufacturing facility for its Advanced Wound Management franchise at Wykeland’s Melton West business park in East

Read More »

McAvoy announces multi-million-pound investment programme to create one of the newest modular fleets in the UK and Ireland

McAvoy, which was acquired by certain funds managed by Blantyre Capital in February 2020, has announced a substantial investment to expand its modular fleet with a new ‘SmartSpace’ product range. The investment will more than double the capacity of McAvoy’s semi-permanent modular fleet and create approximately 50 new jobs. CEO,

Read More »

Architecture, engineering and building sector wholesale businesses hitting a brick wall thanks to Covid, Brexit, and manual processes impacting profitability

Unprecedented economic and social changes threaten profitability A new survey commissioned by OGL Group reveals that Covid, Brexit and the continued reliance on manual processes are the greatest factors affecting profitability for architecture, engineering and building sector wholesale businesses in 2022. The research focused on those companies that stock products

Read More »

5 Simple Tips for New Landlords in 2022

One of the most fulfilling jobs in the world is being a landlord. However, that isn’t to say that the job is a walk in the park, quite the contrary. If you are a new landlord then you probably have more questions than answers, and you probably need a little

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

June 17, 2022

Wykeland secures £80m world-class Smith+Nephew facility for Melton West business park

Leading Yorkshire commercial property developer Wykeland Group has secured an £80m-plus investment by global medical technology business Smith+Nephew. Subject to planning approval, Smith+Nephew has announced it will build a new research and development and manufacturing facility for its Advanced Wound Management franchise at Wykeland’s Melton West business park in East Yorkshire. The location is just eight miles from Smith+Nephew’s current site in Hull, where the business has been located for more than 100 years. The new facility is expected to open in 2024. The investment will create a world-class R&D, manufacturing and flexible office environment, which is expected to support more than £8bn of sales in its first 10 years of operation. Melton West business park has been selected for the investment because of its proximity to the existing Hull facility. It also offers a site with the size and established infrastructure to accommodate the new facility and is allocated under the East Riding of Yorkshire Local Plan for developments of this kind. Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Hull-based Wykeland, owner and developer of Melton West, said: “We are delighted the strategic, long-term investments we have made in the infrastructure at Melton West business park have enabled Smith+Nephew to stay within the region and make such a huge investment in a state-of-the-art new facility. “Smith+Nephew is one of the region’s leading employers, with a proud local history and heritage. This investment will open an exciting new chapter in that story.” Simon Fraser, President of Advanced Wound Management for Smith+Nephew, said: “This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the UK and to building our leadership in Advanced Wound Management. “Smith+Nephew was founded in Hull in 1856 and we are proud to make this major investment in the region for future generations.” The 200-acre Melton West business park is one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s premier locations for investment and job creation. It enjoys a prime location west of Hull, off the A63 and connecting to the national motorway network within minutes via the M62. The Smith+Nephew facility will be the latest major development at the growing site, which features more than one millionsq ft of completed warehouse, distribution, manufacturing and office space. In December last year Wykeland secured planning permission from East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a £170m retail logistics fulfilment centre at Melton West. This centre will have a footprint of 558,000 sq ft and create 1,300-1,500 permanent jobs, additional seasonal and indirect employment, and further jobs during the construction phase. Last year Amazon opened a 125,000 sq ft last mile delivery centre on an adjacent site at Melton West and a new command and control facility for Humberside Police has recently been handed over and is due to be operational later this year. Other leading businesses at Melton West include Heron Foods, which has its national Distribution Centre and Store Support Centre on site; generator manufacturer Allam Marine; shower maker Kohler Mira; and Needlers, the UK’s leading supplier of safety and hygiene products to the food manufacturing industry.

Read More »

McAvoy announces multi-million-pound investment programme to create one of the newest modular fleets in the UK and Ireland

McAvoy, which was acquired by certain funds managed by Blantyre Capital in February 2020, has announced a substantial investment to expand its modular fleet with a new ‘SmartSpace’ product range. The investment will more than double the capacity of McAvoy’s semi-permanent modular fleet and create approximately 50 new jobs. CEO, Ron Clarke said the decision had been made in response to strong market demand, particularly within the health, education and commercial sectors in the UK. He added McAvoy had already secured orders for the new modular SmartSpace range with upcoming projects across the UK and Ireland. He said: “The investment will be made over a period of two years and will include ongoing Research and Development, Manufacturing, and the implementation of additional infrastructure in terms of people, factory equipment and technology. We envisage the creation of this additional capacity will help drive the planned growth of our business in the UK over the next 2-3 years where we see significant opportunities to increase market share. Our market research, coupled with enquiry levels, has indicated for some time the demand for high quality semi-permanent accommodation across health, education and commercial but also within the pharma, manufacturing, and technology sectors so this decision is all about helping our customers meet those needs. Designed and built to enhanced energy and fire protection standards, this new product provides our customers sustainable and adaptable space solutions. “Thanks to the support of our investor, Blantyre Capital, SmartSpace will be one of the newest modular fleets in the UK and Ireland, so this investment will be a significant component of our overall sustainable growth plans.” Ron Clarke said there would be additional ongoing investment across the business over the next three years, particularly in relation to ESG, Digital Technology, Recruitment and People Development. Glen Busby, Director of Modular Rental and Sales at McAvoy, said the first of the new modular units would be deployed as part of a major health project in England. He said: “This investment has the potential to be a real gamechanger for McAvoy within the Modular Rental and Sales sector. Our ambition is to significantly increase our market share and to be known as a UK and Irish market leader in the supply of high-quality permanent and semi-permanent accommodation for rental or sale. We believe our SmartSpace proposition to be amongst the very best available and with almost 50 years’ experience we have a track record and understanding of the modular offsite industry that is second to none.” McAvoy recently reported positive financial results for the six months to 30th April 2021, with a 30% year-on-year increase in revenue. The business will deliver revenues ahead of budget for 2022, with significant progress made in securing forecast revenues for 2023. McAvoy is currently delivering a series of new Department for Education projects, including one of the UK’s first low carbon school buildings as well as a new innovation centre at Porton Science Park.

Read More »

Architecture, engineering and building sector wholesale businesses hitting a brick wall thanks to Covid, Brexit, and manual processes impacting profitability

Unprecedented economic and social changes threaten profitability A new survey commissioned by OGL Group reveals that Covid, Brexit and the continued reliance on manual processes are the greatest factors affecting profitability for architecture, engineering and building sector wholesale businesses in 2022. The research focused on those companies that stock products that support these sectors, from handheld laser distance meters, architect scales, power tools, ladders to trolleys, and provide equipment including welding machines, workwear and safety equipment, to providers and commercial businesses. The market size of the architectural industry is £6.5 billion in revenue in 2022, with the UK construction sector contributing more than £110 billion per annum and nearly 7% of GDP. The engineering and building sector is one of the UK’s broadest with 5.5 million people working in those industries, accounting for 18% of all UK employment. With the rapid increase in the need for housing, there is continued demand for architecture, engineering and building services, made more prominent by the return to work after 2020’s extended lockdown period. Both the Covid pandemic and Brexit have hit supply chains hard. Exacerbated by stock management pressures, architectural, engineering and business wholesale firms are citing top technology priorities for the next 12 – 24 months as business performance reporting 50%, linking ERP with eCommerce 33%, website creation/update 33% and order management software 33%. Insecurity around Brexit is affecting profitability at 58%, but this is now being overshadowed by Covid as the top factor at 67%. The pandemic has led to supply chain shortages with some architecture, engineering and building sector businesses stockpiling products and parts to ensure delivery to clients. Manual processes are still plaguing businesses, leaving them behind the curve with regards to digital transformation, since 75% cited them as a problem that can lead to potential loss of revenue, and inability to correctly assess performance and sales. Entering another potentially uncertain economic period with continuing supply-chain issues, the Ukraine-Russia war, cost of living and fuel price rises, wholesalers’ efforts to increase profitability are critical. Technology is at the heart of this. 92% of respondents agreed that automating business processes helps their companies stay competitive, up from 70% of engineering companies pre-pandemic. A key finding of the research was the wide spread of technologies used and the disparate nature of systems that are not necessarily “talking to each other” to provide a full view of operations. Wholesale businesses use a range of software systems to function: more than 95% of respondents use one or more software systems to run their business. Finbarr Creeney confirmed that his firm, Express Cutting & Welding Services, replaced accounting software, manual processes, inventory/stock control, and sales order/enquiry management with an integrated ERP system. 67% of respondents saw benefits from integrating disparate systems. 58% listing the main reason to use a single system as removing duplication of work across different departments, followed by 58% citing reduced administration time. 50% stated a single system helped achieve growth plans and future proofed their business, while 33% cited enhanced customer service and efficiencies by improved accuracy of information. Single systems are beneficial for online stores, where stock checks and reporting ensure that customers have a good understanding of delivery timescales and product availability. Survey respondents confirmed that eCommerce has grown exponentially, with 83% stating that being able to sell products online easily is really important to them. As the pandemic accelerated digital transformation, cloud computing continues to be a driver for change, with 83% of industry respondents agreeing that hosting applications and data in the cloud have improved efficiencies and productivity (or would improve them if cloud were implemented). Despite the benefits of cloud, concerns about security remain, though have reduced marginally from 55% in 2019 to 50% in 2022. This reflects the growing acceptance of moving core applications and data to the cloud. Critically ERP systems are a key technology with 92% agreeing that ERP systems give greater visibility and control of stock. ERP refers to a suite of integrated software that businesses use to manage day-to-day business activities, such as sales order management, stock control, warehouse management, CRM and more. One survey respondent comments on implementing a single ERP system: “Since installing an ERP system, the integration has led to far better customer service and efficiency. We can now store customer details and contacts centrally; raise orders based on sales and re-stock to min, max or optimum. This has transformed our stock and also improves customer service by cutting down lead times. Something that became apparent during the pandemic was that during times of reduced staff levels, we were still able to cope in an efficient manner because of the automation built into our ERP system.” The main barriers to deploying an integrated software solution were cost, with 58% citing it as a factor, followed by 50% with data security and 33% finding a solution that’s right for their business via a reputable provider. Cost is often associated with the misconception that ERP systems are only for larger businesses, and the lack of information about affordable subscription-based models. Charlie Grant, Head of Operational Product Development, OGL Software commented: “The business model for architecture, engineering and building firms has evolved quickly, with our 2022 survey identifying several changes, including the pandemic and stock availability, that impact profitability; the drop in concerns about security of cloud computing, and the growing realisation that ERP systems are not solely for large enterprises. Digital transformation has no doubt saved many businesses that have pivoted to online sales and it’s heartening to reveal that 92% agreed that ERP systems provide greater visibility and control of stock, especially as part of a multichannel sales strategy.” NB: survey conducted in March 2022 and any comparison is to the same questions in September 2019. Respondents were given a number of options for each question.

Read More »

Part L changes likely to prompt surge in UKCA testing demand for door and window fabricators

Incoming changes to Part L of the Building Regulations are likely to intensify testing demand in the run up to the December 31 deadline for UKCA certification. The warning, from Element Materials Technology – one of the UK’s leading testing and certification service providers to the construction industry – comes in advance of scheduled changes to Part L, which take effect from 15 June. As part of a shift towards lowering domestic CO2 production through the Future Building Standard, all new doors and windows entering the market from that date must meet new mandated U-values.  However, any existing products currently on the market which meet the new mandated U-values must still achieve UKCA marking in order to be sold in the UK from 1 January 2023. The requirement is likely to affect hundreds of products manufactured outside of the UK, even if they have achieved CE marking in the country of manufacture. UKCA marking can only be issued by an approved body listed on the UK government’s database. As there are only a small number of approved bodies, manufacturers who have not yet started or completed the process could find themselves under pressure to secure laboratory space with just six months left until the UKCA marking requirements come into force. Chris Bryan, Senior Test Engineer at Element Materials Technology – Wednesbury, comments: “On the surface, the changes to minimum U-values set out in the updates to Part L are straightforward. Indeed, a sizeable majority of products currently in circulation are already compliant. “The real issue is that any product that has been CE-marked in another country – even if it meets the U-value requirements set out in the changes to Part L – will need to be re-tested in the UK to achieve UKCA marking to continue being sold here from the start of next year.” Chris continues: “The realisation is really starting to take effect amongst the international fabrication community. We have already seen a surge in demand in recent weeks and only expect that to increase as we get closer to the UKCA deadline. I would strongly urge any fabricators who either manufacture overseas or are looking to meet the new requirements to book UKCA testing now to ensure a smooth transition.” To find out more about UKCA testing, please visit: https://www.element.com/product-qualification-testing-services/ukca-mark-guidance.

Read More »

5 Simple Tips for New Landlords in 2022

One of the most fulfilling jobs in the world is being a landlord. However, that isn’t to say that the job is a walk in the park, quite the contrary. If you are a new landlord then you probably have more questions than answers, and you probably need a little help getting your bearings. Whether you are thinking of becoming a landlord shortly, or you have just become a new landlord, then there are a few things you should be aware of, such as the vetting process, hiring the help of a property management company, or even what to consider when setting the rental price. Below you can find a few tips for new landlords in 2022. Try a Property Management Company If you are completely new to being a landlord, then one of the best things that you can do is to consider hiring a property management company. Many people become landlords because they think that it is an easy way to make money without really taking it considering how much work it is. As a result, as a new landlord, it can be very easy to become overwhelmed. Of the biggest benefits of hiring a property management company is the fact that you won’t need to deal with the tenants on a day-to-day basis, or deal with any problems that come with renting out a property. More than this, you can rest assured that your rent will be collected on time, every time. Properly Vet Tenants One of the most important things that you have to do as a new landlord is to properly vet tenants. In the beginning, you might find that you are either too relaxed about the tenants that you allow to rent your property, or too strict. One of the most important considerations when vetting a tenant would be their credit rating since this will be an indication of how reliably they’ll be paying rent. Another important consideration when vetting tenants would be their criminal history, and it would be best if they don’t have one. While being very strict with your vetting process isn’t inherently bad, it could reduce the number of tenants that you find for your properties and make the experience a lot more stressful. Set the Best Price Another incredibly important consideration that you have to make as a new landlord would be the price that you are setting for your properties. After all, the money you receive from renting your properties is most likely the main source of your income, so you need to ensure that you can find tenants that can afford to pay the rent. One way to determine the rent price for your properties would be to take a look at the price of the rent of other properties in the area and charge something similar to a property that is like yours. Remember, if the rent price is too low then just about anyone will try to move in, and if it is too high you will struggle to find tenants. Do a Rigorous Inspection If you are a new landlord, then you probably haven’t had to deal with tenant complaints before. One of the biggest complaints that many landlords face is when something is broken on the property and the tenants claim that it was always broken. The best way to avoid this from happening would be to do a rigorous inspection with the tenants before renting out the property. This means going through the entire property with the tenants to ensure that everything isn’t working and nothing is broken. An even better idea than this would be to take photographic evidence, so you have tangible proof that you held up your end of the bargain. List Your Property Online Finally, the last thing that you should do as a new landlord would be to try and list your property online. Times have changed quite drastically and put your property in the newspaper is one of the least effective ways to get tenants. One of the biggest benefits of listing your property online would be the fact that potential tenants will be able to see photos of each room. Bold at this you’ll be able to list all of the features of the property as well as the requirements for living there, such as having no pets or no smoking.

Read More »