Author: CrushDesign

Local manufacturer breaks another world record

United Cast Bar has once again taken the lead in the manufacturing industry by increasing its already large portfolio of sizes.

On Wednesday 3rd December the Chesterfield-based firm broke yet another world record by successfully producing a 680mm diameter bar using the continous casting method.  Much of the bar, which weighs more than 150 tonne, has already been preordered.

James Brand, Managing Director of the United Cast Bar (UK) facility said,

“Once again we have continued to push the boundaries of achievement and what is capable within continuous cast iron bar production. The team has worked very hard, making great quality bar with incredible dimensional control and quality. We are very proud of this ground breaking achievement.”

United Cast Bar (UK) is the only company in its global market place to attempt this scale of production. The bar will be used in many industrial applications, particularly hydraulic and fluid power.

A European producer of continuously cast iron bar, the firm has production sites in the UK and Spain, a wholly-owned distribution network across Europe and a site in South Korea.

Source:United Cast Bar

Posted in Business, Manufacturing

Exciting summer of cricket ahead as Derbyshire announces fixtures for 2015

A duo of sell-out local derbies are expected following Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s announcement of fixtures for the coming year.

The NatWest T20 Blast matches against Yorkshire at Chesterfield and Nottinghamshire at Derby have been handed prime dates at the height of summer; an Ashes summer that also includes a three day fixture versus Australia starting on Thursday 23rd July.

Demand is expected to be high for the visit of Yorkshire to Queen’s Park, Chesterfield on Sunday 12th July, a game that will bring down the curtain on the tenth successive year of Chesterfield Festivals.

The visit of Nottinghamshire to The 3aaa County Ground, a fixture that sold out in advance in 2013, will be played on Friday 26th June.

Derbyshire Chief Executive Simon Storey said: “The first fixtures we look for each-and-every year are those local derbies against Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. Once again we’re delighted with the dates that have come our way.

“Nottinghamshire at The 3aaa County Ground was an advanced sell-out in 2013 and we were close to capacity versus Yorkshire at Chesterfield last season too.

“This time around, with no tournament football and Ashes fever no doubt sweeping the nation, 2015 could be the year that we secure our first ever double sell-out.”

Captain Wayne Madsen added: “The fixture announcement is always an exciting time as we continue our preparations for the new campaign. There are a lot of things to look forward to next summer.

“We have ambitions for a successful year in all formats. We showed form and potential during the second half of last season, and we’ll make sure the new season starts well for us. It’s all about being in the mix by the end of the season.

“There’s also been a lot of work behind-the-scenes to make the facilities better, so it will be great when the new season comes around and the Club can show them off.

“We’re also really looking forward to returning to Chesterfield. It’s a great place to play cricket and the crowds are always great.

Tickets for the NatWest T20 Blast matches are available here.

 

(Photograph courtesy of David Griffin)

Source:Derbyshire County Cricket Club

Posted in Visiting

Town’s top firms rewarded at Derbyshire Times Business Awards

Chesterfield’s best firms were in the spotlight at last week’s Derbyshire Times’ Business Awards in association with Destination Chesterfield.

An impressive 15 categories were claimed locally at the glittering black tie event, hosted at the Proact Stadium by BBC Look North presenter, Claire Frisby.

The ultimate Business of the Year accolade went to United Cast Bar, a manufacturer based on Spital Lane, which also received the award for Excellence in Manufacturing.

James Brand, Director at the firm said: “It’s an absolute honour to have won.  I’d like to say a massive thank you to our dedicated team for all of their hard work over the years. Of course I’d like to thank our loyal clients. It’s humbling to be recognised for our achievements locally, and when up against such great businesses the accolade is even more rewarding.”

The New Business of the Year award went to innovative firm, NuWorld Energy, which specialises in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.  Describing the win as a privilege, Director, Mark Pymm said:-

“It just shows that the blood, sweat and tears endured during the first year of a new business is all worth it in the end. If it wasn’t for the support of the local business community, colleagues, friends and family, we would not be in this position and I look forward to building on this achievement with our growing team and being there again next year.”

Also honoured on the night was Casa Hotel which received the Customer Service award and Northern Tea Merchants which claimed Retailer of the Year.

Taking home the Community Contribution award for the second year running was Franke Sissons and both the Lifetime Achievement and Apprentice of the Year awards were won by Central Technology.

Organiser and Derbyshire Times Editor Graeme Huston said:-

“It’s fantastic to have everyone from our proud business community come together to celebrate their achievements in 2014.

“All the many entries were worthy of praise and our judging panel deliberated long and hard to find this year’s winners and we wish them and everyone else the best of luck for 2015.”

 

The full list of winners include:-

  • Business of the year: United Cast Bar
  • Small business of the year: Creativity Sells
  • New business of the year: NuWorld Energy
  • Apprentice of the year: Jamie Ridgeway, Central Technology
  • Young business person of the year: Hayley Gillbard
  • Business personality of the year: Mark Lord, Aztec Oils
  • Entrepreneur of the year: Robert Carlin
  • Team of the year: Auto Windscreens
  • Business idea of the year: In The Works PR
  • Retailer of the year: Northern Tea Merchants
  • Community contribution of the year: Franke Sissons
  • Employer of the year award: Auto Windscreens
  • Lifetime achievement award: Ian Snow, Central Technology
  • Customer service award: Casa Hotel
  • Creative innovation award: VHS Group
  • Environment Award: Carbon Low
  • Excellence in professional services: Barber Harrison and Platt
  • Excellence in Manufacturing: United Cast Bar

Photographs from the event can be seen in this week’s Derbyshire Times.

Source:Derbyshire Times

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Election wish list unveiled by local business leaders

Business leaders from Chesterfield are among those who have this week unveiled their demands of the next UK Government.

The East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, took representatives of more than 50 member businesses to Westminster on 25th November to meet MPs and launch its 2015 General Election business manifesto.

The event, in the Churchill Dining Room, in the Houses of Parliament was sponsored by Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, the Shadow Minister for Small Business and was also attended by a host of regional MPs.

The manifesto was developed in collaboration with businesses from across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. It proposes measures which the Chamber believes will create an economy for long-term success and support a vibrant and prosperous East Midlands.

Chamber Chief Executive George Cowcher said: “Over the course of the current Parliament, businesses in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire have demonstrated a robustness, tenacity and ambition that has placed the East Midlands at the front of the pack in terms of driving economic growth and private sector job creation.

“However, decisions taken over the term of the next Parliament will be instrumental in determining the future direction of this growth. Businesses are committed to ensuring the resource, knowledge and skills which exist in the East Midlands are utilised to full effect to deliver growth.

“In doing so, it is essential that their commitment is demonstrably reciprocated by our politicians and the Chamber and its members were pleased to get the opportunity to go down to Westminster to state the case of local business directly to our elected representatives.”

The Chamber’s business manifesto is made up of 23 individual policy recommendations, which include:

• Placing business at the centre of local growth by offering clear commitments on devolution and the role business can play, guaranteeing a business ratepayers’ vote on local economic strategy, legislating to increase opportunities for SMEs to benefit from public contracts and committing to further rounds of the Regional Growth Fund.

• Delivering on long-term infrastructure needs by developing and implementing a 50-year UK energy security strategy, commissioning an independent body to deliver the National Infrastructure Plan, taking bold decisions to meet housing needs, ensuring every business has access to superfast broadband and working for delivery of the Eastern leg of HS2 as rapidly as possible.

• Fixing the link between education and the world of work by measuring employment outcomes in secondary school assessments, ensuring work experience is embedded into education, championing vocational options in education and ensuring a link between the curriculum and the demands of the labour market.

• Supporting East Midlands businesses to succeed overseas by reforming Air Passenger Duty to support development of new routes, ensuring Government backing for the development of global business-to-business networking, developing UK Export Finance into a ‘best in class’ agency and introducing a ‘fast track’ passport scheme for UK exports.

• Reducing the cost of doing business by undertaking a root and branch review of the broken Business Rates system, delivering regulation to encourage a more flexible and less burdensome trading environment, developing a programme for policy-makers in business-led departments to spend time at Chambers, ensuring the traditional routes to business finance are effective and new route development is supported, acting to simplify and increase transparency in the tax system and promising no unilateral measures that would increase energy costs for UK business.

A full copy of the manifesto can be found at http://bit.ly/1A7yGn9.

Source:East Midlands Chamber

Posted in Business

Funding enables local firm to grow

An expanding Chesterfield-based engineering firm has secured funding for new equipment thanks to support from asset finance broker, Balanced Funding Solutions.

Maxco Engineering in Staveley now boasts a modern CNC Steel Profile Cutting Machine and a number of benefits have already resulted from the investment, including a 20% increase in turnover and the addition of two new members of staff.

Originally struggling to finance the improvements needed to meet an increase in demand, the flame cutting specialist is now very positive about its future.

Owner Paul Smith, said, “John at Balanced Funding Solutions talked through my requirements and was knowledgeable and took time to understand the business.  He has also followed the process through start to finish with us which has impressed both Flamtek and I.

“Gaining this funding has opened my eyes to new market sectors both nationally and locally.  We are now looking at new opportunities such as a plasma head cutting tool and the business also plans to take on another apprentice in 2015.”

Established six years ago, Maxco Engineering provides high quality shape cutting and steel profiling, among other services, from its headquarters on Fan Road in Staveley.

Image: Balanced Funding Solutions Director John Pemberton and Paul Smith of  Maxco Engineering

Source:Balanced Funding Solutions

Visit Chesterfield

Posted in Business

Brampton Brewery Celebrates Another Win

Brampton Brewery has seen success once again at the annual SIBA Midlands Regional Beer Competition, having scooped three awards at the event; held last month at the Nottingham Beer Festival.

Following three rounds of blind tastings by nearly 150 judges, the Chatsworth Road business secured two silver medals in the Milds & Stouts and Strong Bitters categories – for its Brampton Stout and Speciale in cask respectively.  Brampton also took home a bronze in the Premium Strong Ales category for its Winter Bock in cask.

Commenting on the win, Chris Radford, Managing Director and Head Brewer at Brampton Brewery said “I’m absolutely delighted – The Society of Independent Brewers Awards are significant for being completely blind-tasted which immediately removes any pre-conceptions.  Also the pool of judges are drawn from breweries and trades-people the length and breadth of the Country, so with over 1,200 breweries operating in the UK now we shouldn’t underestimate the contribution we are making at Brampton as one of the smaller commercial breweries.”

Source:Brampton Brewery

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield athletes receive financial support

Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games hopefuls across the county are among 128 athletes who have been awarded bursaries totalling £21,575 through Derbyshire Sport’s business network ICON, including 17 individuals from Chesterfield.

Each successful applicant lives in one of Derbyshire’s nine districts or competes for a Derbyshire-based club and must already compete at a high level to qualify.

All are already representing their country or Great Britain, have won a national championship medal, are part of a recognised development squad or a development squad aligned to a professional sports club or have been selected for the Derbyshire Institute of Sport.

They will receive a bursary up to a maximum of £250 to help meet costs such as travel, accommodation, equipment, coaching fees, clothing or competition entry, use of leisure facilities and a boost to their profile through local publicity.

The success of the scheme has been brought into view this summer by Chesterfield’s Liam Pitchford, who won three medals at this summer’s Commonwealth Games having benefited from ICON support.

“ICON really helped me a lot when I was coming through into the national set-up,” said Pitchford, who won two slivers and a bronze in Glasgow.

“It helped me get access to the best practice facilities possible at a time when I didn’t have national governing body funding.”

ICON was set up by Derbyshire Sport as part of the work to create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and encourage more links between business and sport.

Each member contributes an annual membership fee, and this money goes directly to athletes through the bursary scheme.

Full list of Chesterfield athletes given bursaries for the 2015 ICON programme:-

•Ryan Aspley (Ice Hockey) from Chesterfield

•Jake Aspley (Ice Hockey) from Chesterfield

•Isobel Ashley (Table Tennis) from Barrow Hill

•Jade Ashmore (Boxing) from Heath

•Alicia Barrett (Athletics) from Newbold

•Ella Barrett (Athletics) from Newbold

•Jamie Boler (Golf) from Chesterfield

•Bradley Buckland (Tennis) from Brampton

•Jayne Crook (Fencing) from Brimington

•Ashley Davies (Squash) from Chesterfield

•Bron Jenkinson (Diving) from Clowne

•Hannah Lawrence (Fencing) from Manchester and a member of Wingerworth Fencing Club, Chesterfield

•Imogen Morris (Swimming) from Heath

•Liam Pitchford (Table Tennis) from Brimington

•Ameliah Such (Ice Hockey) from Chesterfield

•Morgan Swales (Ice Skating) from Calow

•George Woolgar (Golf) from Tapton

Source:Derbyshire Sport

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield

Young People Hail Inaugural Made in Chesterfield Week a Success

More than 400 students from North East Derbyshire’s schools have hailed Chesterfield’s very first manufacturing festival, Made in Chesterfield, a success.

The week (10 – 14 November), which was coordinated by Destination Chesterfield, featured a programme of manufacturing dedicated events.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield kicked off the festival by unveiling a new sculpture outside Chesterfield Coach Station, which was a collaboration between, Franke Sissons Ltd’s apprentices and students from Parkside School.

Year 10 Parkside School student Bayley Siddall, who worked on the sculpture’s design said, “It’s given me a real insight into what I would like to do in the future.”

The week-long festival was designed to showcase the town’s successful manufacturing and engineering sector and ignite career interest in the sector from young people as well as bring together the business community.

School events included tours of United Cast Bar Ltd, Franke Sissons Ltd, MSE Hiller, Penny Hydraulics, Corregated Case Company and Kingfield Electronics, as well as making a stainless steel die at NLT, and an open evening at Chesterfield College.

There was also a number of competitions held throughout the week including design a tent with FieldCandy and Crush Design, and a Twitter vs Drone competition hosted by Magnifica Technologies Ltd and Kingfield Electronics, which was won by Brookfield School.

Commenting at a business round table event during Made in Chesterfield Week, Andy Dukelow, Managing Director of Franke Sissons said: “You have to overcome a generation that thinks manufacturing is noisy and dirty.  There are young people leaving school now that haven’t had family members working in industry and view manufacturing as the past. This isn’t the case. Chesterfield has a thriving manufacturing and engineering sector and many companies within it are working throughout the world.”

He added: As a former apprentice myself, I am very passionate about working closely with local schools. Working with students at Parkside School gave us the opportunity to give 10 young people and insight into the manufacturing industry, and show them the different careers and routes they could pursue. Many children think that manufacturing is just solely about working in a factory, but there’s so much more to it and that’s what Made in Chesterfield was designed to show them.”

A highlight of the week included the arrival of the travelling engineering showcase, MANTRA, (Manufacturing Transporter), sponsored by commercial insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher, on Thursday 14 November at the Proact Stadium. The 14m HGV trailer, packed with state of the art engineering technology has been developed by The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, a world-class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

Toby Perkins MP for Chesterfield, joined students from Tupton Primary School on Mantra. He said: “Manufacturing is vitally important for Britain’s future and motivating the next generation of Engineers to see the potential opportunities is a great idea.  I hope that some of the children I met here today will be the Engineers of the future.”

A number of sixth form students were also invited to take part in the annual manufacturing breakfast seminar held at The Proact Stadium during the Week. Hosted by Shorts Chartered Accountants, NatWest and Banner Jones Solicitors, the event brought together key speakers from the heart of local business, putting emphasis on the future of manufacturing within the region.

Made in Chesterfield Week also coincided with UK Trade & Investment’s (UKTI) sixth Export Week. It emerged during the festival that many of the town’s companies are supplying their products globally and also contributing to Chesterfield reputation for manufacturing and engineering specialisms.

11% of the country’s gross comes from manufacturing which contributes £6.7 trillion to the global economy and locally this represents around 20% for Sheffield City Region.

Simon Grandidge, International Marketing Manager for UK Trade & Investment East Midlands said: “The week long Made in Chesterfield festival provided a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the products and services that come from the area and we were delighted to support Destination Chesterfield with our own export themed event, offering advice to local businesses on how to boost their profits by winning business overseas.

“The event formed part of the biggest Export Week we have held in the region yet, with over 400 companies attending across the week, but we still think that more firms should be taking advantage of the support that is available to them through UKTI and other business support organisations.

“Our research tells us that only 14%, some 8,000, of East Midlands companies export – so there is a lot more we could achieve by boosting this figure by just a few percent.

“We will continue to work with our regional partners, including Destination Chesterfield, to encourage businesses to look at overseas markets and to help drive the economy forwards.”

Although the coal mining industry in north east Derbyshire has ended, Chesterfield’s reputation as the centre of centrifuging in the UK continues with MSE Hiller, based at Markham Vale. The company supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries throughout the UK. Ivan Fomin, Managing Director of MSE Hiller said: “No one in Britain is doing what we are doing. Our products and services are very much in demand.”

Earlier this year United Cast Bar (UK) brought Chesterfield to the attention of the global iron industry after it successfully produced a record-breaking 665mm diameter bar of iron, casting 220 tonnes of material using the continuous casting method.

James Brand Managing director of United Cast Bar said: “While there are fewer jobs in the sector today, he believes there is a wealth of undiscovered opportunities for young people and I urge schools to encourage young people to consider a career within it.

“If we are to develop our young people and retain their talent in the UK, schools must start bringing the manufacturing and engineering sector to their attention. Made in Chesterfield has made a fantastic start in doing this and I very much hope it continues.”

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager added: “Chesterfield has a rich heritage in the manufacturing and engineering sector and it’s important to celebrate that. We’re really passionate about inspiring young people to pursue a career in manufacturing or engineering but to be able to do that it’s vital to show them that there are hundreds of careers paths they could pursue in the sector.

“We’re thrilled that the first Made in Chesterfield festival went down a storm. Thank you to all of the local businesses that got behind the week by hosting their own events and attending others. We can’t wait to bring it back again next year to more young people.”

 

If you’re interested in getting involved in next year’s Made in Chesterfield Week, please contact dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Manufacturing

Spireites fan wins national award

Chesterfield fan Mick Beddingham has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Fan of the Month for October.

Mick is a super Spireites supporter with a difference. As well as following Chesterfield’s first team, he also travels to all of the youth team fixtures with the staff and players.

For many years Mick has raised funds for the club’s youth section through raffles and other fundraising activities. His commitment has been recognised by youth team staff and he now helps out on match days on a voluntary basis.

Mick said: “I am absolutely over the moon to win the award! I want to thank Sky Bet for selecting me as the winner.

“I decided to get involved with the academy 15 years ago. I have been raising funds ever since and I have been able to raise thousands of pounds.

“I am now attempting to raise enough money to kit out the whole academy with a Chesterfield bag to use on match days so they look professional.”

Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner said: “I am delighted that Mick’s contribution behind the scenes has been acknowledged in this way.

“He fully deserves the accolade after working tirelessly on behalf of the club, raising funds for the academy and helping out at youth-team games.

“Mick’s input is very much appreciated by everyone at the club.”

Source:Chesterfield FC

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield

Mayor illuminates Chesterfield landmark

The town’s recently completed Growth sculpture at Horn’s Bridge roundabout has been officially launched.

Chesterfield’s mayor, Councillor Alexis Diouf, switched on the landmark’s new low-energy lights at a ceremony held on the evening of Wednesday, 12th November.

Led by Chesterfield Borough Council, the project was in response to requests from local businesses to improve the gateways into the town centre.

Growth was designed by Derbyshire-based artist Melanie Jackson and features a wheel, or cog, integrated into the landscape showing the borough’s industrial heritage with an opening bud or flower rising out of the centre.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration said: “After months of hand work from all of the partners included in the project, our latest landmark is now completed and illuminated for all to see.

“It is a true feat of engineering and I’m proud that for people entering the town centre from the M1 and by train, this will be the first thing they will see – a bold statement about the regeneration and growth of the borough.”

Artist, Melanie Jackson, added: “I’m really pleased and proud of what we have achieved, I would like to say particular thanks to Chris Brammall Ltd who manufactured the sculpture and did a stunning job.

“I hope the sculpture will become a well-known positive landmark for the town for many years to come.”

The design was chosen by members of the public and business leaders in consultation events held in summer 2013.

Coordinated by Landscape Architects TEP with NT Killingley Ltd as the principal contractor, the project was made possible by the European Regional Development Fund and by Barratt Homes.  Funding was available specifically for improvements to the town’s gateways and for public artwork and was not eligible to be spent on any other council services.

John Dillon, Managing Director at Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “We are delighted to hear that the new artwork at Horn’s Bridge Island has now been officially launched.

“Community investment is extremely important to us as a company and we are very proud to have been a part of this exciting project, which has had such a significant impact on the landscape of Chesterfield.”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield

Fewer people claiming jobseekers benefits

The number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) in October fell by more than 1,900 according to figures released today.

They show that there were 298 fewer claimants in Derbyshire than there were in September, equating to an annual fall of 3,622 in the county.

In Chesterfield the number of people claiming out of work benefit stood at 1488 in October, which has dropped by 627 in comparison to the figure announced in October 2013.

The number of people in employment across the East Midlands fell by 3,000, to 2,212,000 in the three months to September, with the number of unemployed across the region rising by 5,000 to 132,000.

There were, however, 53,000 more people in work than in the same period in 2013 and 33,000 fewer unemployed, the figures from the Office for National Statistics showed.

Chris Hobson, Head of Information and Representation for the East Midlands Chamber, said: “Once again, the JSA count statistics released today are positive and continue the month-on-month falls we have seen locally since the start of the year. We’d expect this trend to continue into the final few months of the year as the effect of seasonal employment contracts comes into play.

“There is some concern about the fall in employment and increase in unemployment which we need to be mindful of, but it’s important to stress that at this stage, it is a short-term variation rather than part of the long-term year-on-year trend.

“The employment market is constantly evolving and as some industries contract, others grow. This often results in the need for retraining or possibly relocating, but there are jobs available for most people who want them.

“The engineers facing redundancy from Rolls-Royce will be a highly-prized asset to other engineering concerns. This is confirmed by the results of the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey in which members and non-members in the sector have told us they are having difficulty recruiting.

“There may be salary and travel considerations, but the jobs are out there and we would expect to see the majority of those engineers quickly finding new positions.

“Many of our members have said they have capacity in their production capability and the focus now needs to be on driving production through domestic and international sales.

“But there are still other issues to be resolved such as holiday pay legislation and zero-hours contracts. The business community is also waiting with bated breath to find out when interest rates will start to rise and by how much.

“Investment in staff, machinery and premises will be deferred as long as possible while uncertainty about those matters remains. Business hates uncertainty.

“All the above considered, the Chamber would expect unemployment to continue to fall or, at worst, hold steady during the early part of 2015 but would not like to predict what might happen beyond the General Election in May.”

Source:East Midlands Chamber

Posted in About Chesterfield