Business

Growth of Chesterfield’s Superior Spas leads to new 400,000 sq ft factory

Superior Spas, the Chesterfield-based UK Spa ‘Supplier of the Year’ has broken ground on a brand new, 400,000 sq ft factory in China as it pushes ahead with plans to up its own brand manufacturing and expand its presence internationally beyond the UK and Europe.

The huge new space will be the largest hot tub manufacturing facility in the world and will give Superior Spas the capacity to further expand into manufacturing for other hot tub firms. Coupled with a new distribution centre being constructed in Chesterfield, it will see the company become one of the largest spa and hot tub firms in the world at a time when many businesses are struggling to shake off post-Brexit fears.

Robert Carlin, Superior Spas MD said: “This is a very exciting time for Superior Spas and we are striding forwards with confidence as we realise our very ambitious growth plans. Having our own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is a game changer for the Superior Spas brand and one that will elevate us to an international presence outside of Europe for the first time. This will also mean we create more jobs, bring more to the local economy at home and generate more export and import business.”

The firm expects to create 20 new UK jobs initially and hundreds of new roles in China. Production at the factory will start in March with Superior Spas products being moved from the current manufacturer to the firm’s own factory over the course of the next 12 months. The firm’s full range of Platinum and Swim Spas will be taken in-house.

Sales Director Gareth Ward said: “When the brand new Superior Spas factory comes online fully in March of this year, we’ll be able to stock 900 hot tubs in the UK at any one time as well as keep over 2000 units in stock in China. What’s more, this means we can explore new business partnerships with the option to extend manufacturing services to other hot tub brands looking for a specialist manufacturer for their own product lines. Our clients will have the option to build their own brand of spas in our factory, give us more opportunity to grow our product range and customer base.”

Rob White, Superior Spa’s Head of Marketing adds: “Having our own manufacturing facility is massive – it means we can control every aspect of quality and production schedules, reduce costs, create jobs, open up big new markets and give us the opportunity to sell to a worldwide audience from one of the most prosperous regions in the world.”

To find out more, visit: www.superiorspas.co.uk

Superior Spas chesterfield new factory

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Brookfield Community School put careers in the town’s manufacturing sector under the spotlight for students

The importance of introducing young people to careers in the town’s manufacturing sector has been highlighted by Brookfield Community School.

Eight year 12 students from the school visited Chesterfield-based United Cast Bar as part of the Made in Chesterfield campaign.

The campaign, which is co-ordinated by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and sponsored by University of Derby, is designed to bring together businesses, schools and training providers to showcase the sector to future school leavers.

As part of the visit, Students were taken into the foundry to see first-hand the manufacturing processes involved in producing continuous cast iron bar.

Tim Fagan, Head of Technology and Enterprise at Brookfield Community School, who accompanied the students on the visit, said: “The visit to United Cast Bar was so useful for our students, as it allowed them to see proper industrial practice.”

To mark its fifth year, Made in Chesterfield has now been aligned with the National Curriculum and will run throughout the year.

Mr Fagan added: “The students who took part in the visit love doing technology at school and enjoy making things, but sometimes it’s hard for them to link that up to the opportunities out there in the world of work. I think the visits to companies within the manufacturing and engineering sector helps open their eyes as to where the skills they learn in education can lead.”

Since the campaign was established, more than 2,500 young people from schools have spent time in the area’s manufacturing and engineering businesses. The visits to businesses operating within the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sector are being organised by Derbyshire Education Business Partnership.

United Cast Bar is one of a number of companies from Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering sector which are opening their doors to students from across the borough in an effort to raise awareness of job opportunities.

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar, commented on the importance of developing the workforce of the future: “With an eye on future workforce needs, regularly inviting schoolchildren to the foundry through the Made in Chesterfield initiative plays an important part in our recruitment.

“If we are to develop our young people and retain their talent in the UK, schools must start bringing manufacturing and engineering careers to their attention. To look forward we must look back; getting young people interested in the sector is a great first step.”

Alongside the educational activity there is a programme of business events including a manufacturing conference, manufacturing and engineering forum, business masterclasses and networking events taking place throughout the year.

In addition to Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and University of Derby, Made in Chesterfield is supported by MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, Natwest and Placing Futures.

To find out more about Made in Chesterfield or to arrange a school visit, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/

Made in Chesterfield - Brookfield Visit UCB Ltd

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Senseye hires Chesterfield’s Roaring Mouse for corporate and trade PR support

Roaring Mouse, the UK-based PR and content marketing agency, has announced that it has been hired to run a proactive corporate and trade PR campaign for Senseye, a VC-backed startup that provides data analytics to industrial organisations.

Chesterfield Champion Roaring Mouse has been retained by Senseye following a six-month trade PR trial that focused on building awareness of the company and its capabilities with large-scale manufacturers around the world. The brief has been expanded to include corporate PR support.

The Roaring Mouse account team is led by the agency’s MD, James Taylor, and reports to Jonathan Wootten, Senseye’s Marketing Manager.

Based in Southampton, Senseye is a leading provider of cloud-based software for predictive maintenance. Its advanced algorithms help organisations avoid downtime and save money by automatically forecasting machine failure without the need for expert manual analysis. The company raised £3.5 million in 2017 in a Series A funding round led by MMC Ventures, a venture capital fund investing in early stage, high growth companies.

James Taylor, Managing Director at Roaring Mouse, comments: “Senseye is operating at the cutting-edge of AI, machine learning and data science, and has proven its potential to transform how manufacturers and other industrial companies monitor and maintain their machinery. We are delighted that Senseye has chosen Roaring Mouse to tell that story and help build its business around the world.”

Jonathan Wootten, Marketing Manager at Senseye, comments: “We wanted to work with an agency that understood our sector and could lead a multi-channel communications campaign incorporating a range of traditional, online and social media. Roaring Mouse’s flexible approach and experience working with tech scaleups like ourselves made it the perfect choice for Senseye.”

Roaring Mouse PR Senseye

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

DBCP’s systems certified as world class

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) has been awarded the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification, marking an impressive start to its second year in business.

The world’s most popular and commonly used standard for quality management systems recognises DBCP’s consistent provision of products and services that meet customer, expectations as well as statutory and regulatory requirements.

The company, which has offices in Derby and Chesterfield, was established at the end of 2017 to deliver building control services to six Derbyshire councils.

Neil Johnson (right), Managing Director of Derbyshire Building Control Partnership, explained: “We’re proud to have achieved the world’s most widely adopted Quality Management System (QMS), so early in the business’ development. Although we are a regional business, we have national ambitions and this quality standard demonstrates to prospective clients that we not only have the resources but the world class systems in place to enable us to deliver a world class service.”

“ISO 9001:2015 is not only a certification to be proud of but also an important business development tool as we continue to grow.”

Last year, the company was also shortlisted for the New Business of the Year title at the 2018 Derbyshire Times Business Awards following 18 successful months in business.

Established in 2017, DBCP amalgamated the experience and knowledge of six established Local Authority Building Control Services from Derby City Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council and Amber Valley Borough Council.

The amalgamation of six Building Control teams into one company, retained the skills and experience of some of Derbyshire’s most respected building surveyors who, together, have been key in delivering some of the counties most iconic buildings, including Derby iHub and Dunston Innovation Centre and, more recently, the new Saltergate multi-storey car park in Chesterfield and Wirksworth Heritage Centre.

To find out more about Derbyshire Building Control Partnership click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield Royal rating result demonstrates staff dedication

On behalf of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals has rated Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as GOOD overall – maintaining high standards in the regulator’s five domains, which ask if services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

There was more good news for the Trust in the CQC’s inspection report – published today (Friday, January 25 2019) – which specifically singled out End of Life Care and Children’s Mental Health Services. Both of these were recognised as OUTSTANDING for the care they provide.

Commenting on the rating, Lynn Andrews, Director of Nursing and Patient Care at the Royal says: “I’m so proud of our staff and how hard they work to provide the best possible care and services to our patients. Our GOOD rating recognises their dedication and to have two elements of care singled out for being OUTSTANDING is a delight. I hope every member of staff feels just as proud of our achievement and that they appreciate how each of them has contributed to our success.”

The CQC’s inspection report provides detailed commentary about inspector’s findings. It explains why the OUTSTANDING and GOOD ratings have been awarded in each of the domains, including:

  • End of life care was described as provided with compassion, kindness and support; with multidisciplinary working and partnerships with other agencies and volunteers demonstrating outstanding practice to support patients, relatives and carers;
  • The child and adolescent mental health service was highlighted for outstanding engagement with the young people in its care – protecting and safeguarding them within a team that have the skills and experience to provide the right care and treatment;
  • Good safe services – including enough staff with the right qualifications, skills and experience to keep patients safe from avoidable harm, assessing patient risks and responding appropriately;
  • Good effective services – for example improving patients’ health with food and drinks, managing patients’ pain effectively and staff working together as a team for the benefit of their patients;
  • Good caring services – with compassionate staff supporting patients and their family members, involving them in decisions about care and treatment and providing emotional support to reduce distress. The report also notes that carers and relatives praised treatment provided with dignity and respect;
  • Good responsive services – including accessibility, better than national referral to treatment times in some specialties, patients’ needs considered and adjustments made for children and young people with autism or a learning disability. The Trust was also deemed to take complaints seriously to make sure they were investigated and that results supported learning;
  • Good well-led services – the Trust was described as having a clear vision for what it wants to achieve, with skilled leaders promoting a positive culture that values and supports staff. The CQC also highlighted the organisation’s approach to continually improving quality, safeguarding high standards of care and identifying and addressing risks; and
  • All teams were praised for their commitment to learning from the things they do well – and the occasions when care and treatment goes wrong. This included an issue with protecting patients from infection, which was found by inspectors during their Autumn 2018 visit. The CQC report highlights the immediate action taken to rectify concerns.

With a host of positive comments like these and a much improved rating chart, the Trust’s ambition to reach an OUTSTANDING award for all of its services shows real progress. Two years ago it was also rated GOOD, although with 12 elements that ‘required improvement’. These have reduced to three this timearound and the Trust has pledged to address them quickly, using the Chief Inspector of Hospitals’ points of improvement as a starting point.

The report sets out just two areas the Trust must-do – tightening up processes for assessing patients’ capacity to make decisions – and making sure staff training in the Mental Capacity Act (which supports that assessment process) is robust.

There are also around 20 actions the CQC recommend the Trust takes to make services even better. They range from monitoring staff training compliance and improving storage for medical records, through to keeping corridors free from clutter and reducing waiting times for some young peoples’ assessments – in autism spectrum, attention hyperactivity disorder and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Ms Andrews comments: “CQC inspections give us an opportunity to see our services through a fresh pair of eyes. We must celebrate all the positives staff have achieved here, nevertheless it’s equally important to focus on ‘what’s next?’ in relation to improvement. We are all committed to improving the care and services we provide and this report gives us even more of an incentive, along with some tips and ideas about how to get there. As we continue on our journey to achieve an OUTSTANDING rating for all our hospital services, I would like to thank all of our staff for their continued determination and support.”

Now that the CQC has published its report the Trust is expected to display its rating in the hospital and on its website. You can find it on the front page at www.chesterfieldroyal.nhs.uk – with a link that takes you through to the rating charts and the inspector’s full report.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New development of bungalows for Chesterfield

Bungalows set within an exclusive gated development are now available to purchase in Chesterfield.

The development has been designed and built by luxury property developer Woodall Homes and will be marketed by award-winning Chesterfield estate agent, Redbrik.

St. Mary’s Walk is a brand-new gated development of 10 luxury bungalows in the sought-after suburb of Newbold, a short distance from Chesterfield town centre.

The development is a mix of two, three and four-bedroom detached properties, all of which are completed to a very high specification.

Woodall Homes Managing Director David Wood said: “Each property in this new development has been thoughtfully designed with the purchaser in mind and we are delighted to be bringing these to market.”

“We’re pleased to be working with Redbrik to market these bungalows. We believe in creating homes that buyers can be proud of and we are certain Redbrik will help buyers find their ideal new home at St. Mary’s Walk.”

The Barlborough-based Woodall Homes team have been delivering sought after homes since 2011 and pride themselves on providing a high specification and finish to all their homes.

Mark Ross, Director at Redbrik, added: “The team at Woodall Homes have created a bespoke development of luxury bungalows, ideal for those looking to downsize and relocate to the lovely area of Newbold.”

“Our New Homes marketing department continues to go from strength to strength, and with a combination of our expertise and Woodall Homes’ high-quality properties, we believe together we can help even more people find their perfect home.”

For more information, visit www.redbrik.co.uk.

Redbrik new bungalows chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Award for Careline service

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Careline service has been accredited by a leading industry body.

Following an audit by the Technology enabled care Services Association (TSA), the service has achieved full accreditation to the TSA’s quality standards framework which covers the monitoring and installation of Careline alarms, and the falls recovery service.

TSA commended Chesterfield on the delivery of its Careline, response, and support services, a number of areas of good practice, and helping over 4,500 customers to achieve positive outcomes.

Councillor Helen Bagley, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Customers said: “The accreditation demonstrates the council’s commitment to follow best practice within the industry, and highlights our strengths and commitment to continually improving our services by putting customers first.”

The team was presented with the certificate by Mayor, Councillor Stuart Brittain, and Mayoress, Anne Brittain.

Councillor Bagley added: “Our services are aimed at helping and supporting people to maintain independent living in their own homes, and TSA has recognised how we tailor our services to individual needs, how we work effectively with key statutory and voluntary organisations, and how we continue to develop and enhance our services to meet changing needs and technology.”

For more information about the Careline and support service visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/careline or call Careline on 0300 323 0076.

Council careline accreditation

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Banner Jones’ Executive Director appointed as Vice President of The Notaries Society

Executive Director at Banner Jones Solicitors, Stephen Gordon, has been appointed as Vice President of The Notaries Society, the representative society for the 775 Notaries practising in England and Wales.

Founded in 1882, The Notaries Society plays a major part in the lives of Notaries offering training, continuing professional development as well as international representation.

Stephen, who specialises in Commercial Property at Banner Jones Solicitors, has been a qualified as a Notary Public for over 25 years, dealing with international matters for both private and commercial clients. Stephen is now the only remaining Notary Public in Chesterfield.

Having been appointed as Vice President and retaining his role as Treasurer, Stephen will continue to work alongside the wider Council – including the current President, Andrew Johnson – to run the society and continue its work on the development of professional standards.

Commenting on his appointment Stephen said: “I’m extremely proud to have been appointed as Vice President of the Society and am delighted to further my involvement in supporting the work of fellow Notary Publics across England and Wales.”

“Notaries represent the oldest and smallest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales and so the work of the Society is crucial in ensuring their interests are best represented.”

Among its many functions, The Notaries Society maintains contact with the other Notaries in the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland through membership of the United Kingdom and Ireland Notarial Forum, and through direct contact with other notarial associations throughout the rest of the world.

stephen Gordon Banner Jones

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

More money to support Derbyshire businesses

Derbyshire County Council are earmarking more than £120,000 to extend and enhance support for businesses across the county as part of a £12.1m project.

Cabinet Members have agreed to help fund the D2N2 (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) Growth Hub project for a further three years.The D2N2 Growth Hub offers expert, impartial advice and support to local small and medium-sized businesses with ambition to grow and be more productive, providing a one-stop shop for all business needs.

Over the next three years it will provide:

  • An enhanced and ‘first port of call’ service where businesses can contact dedicated advisors for support and information about issues they may be facing
  • A referral service where advisors assess the individual needs of the business to identify the most appropriate source of support and funding to help increase the resilience of the business, boost productivity and help the business to grow
  • An intensive support programme of one-to-one support sessions, workshops and small seminars as well as access to grant schemes.
  • Targeted support to help businesses improve their use of digital technology and apply for a grant of up to £20,000 to help them achieve this
  • Access to a wider network of business support outside Derbyshire

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration said: “Small and medium-sized businesses are a vital part of Derbyshire’s economy and we’re committed to helping them start-up, thrive and survive.

“By working together with partner organisations across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond, we can help to make sure that local businesses have access to high-quality business support programmes to help drive economic growth and create more job opportunities for local people.”

Funding for the project is also being provided by other councils in the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, the European Regional Development Fund and the Government’s Department for Business, energy and Industrial Strategy.

Two additional staff will be employed to help run the project including a dedicated business advisor working through the services provided by the Derbyshire Economic Partnership.

D2N2 funding derbyshire business support

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

University joins forces with local charity to raise aspirations and improve health in Chesterfield

The University of Derby and a Chesterfield-based charity are joining forces for a National Lottery-funded project to support voluntary and community work in the town.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) has been awarded almost £487,000 over the next three years to fund COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD, which aims to raise aspirations in the area, as well as to help local people live healthier lives.

The charity will work with the University’s College of Health and Social Care, based at the St Helena campus in Chesterfield, and the town’s voluntary sector to explore how those aims can be achieved. The funding will also enable the creation of a community innovation centre and four new jobs.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action chief executive Jacqui Willis said: “We’re thrilled to have won this exciting opportunity to bring new support and resources to Chesterfield’s community sector.

“In the current climate of funding cuts and uncertainty, it’s vital that we build new partnerships and find different ways of working. We hope the COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD programme will strengthen our sector through opportunities for volunteering, training, work placements and research projects.”

Michelle Brown, Head of Adult Nursing at the University of Derby, said: “As the county’s only university we are committed to having a positive impact here in Chesterfield. The majority of our students are local and will stay here to become the health and social care workforce of the future.

“Our partnership with Derbyshire Voluntary Action will provide great new opportunities for our students and staff – and for many of the exciting things that we’re working on here in Chesterfield to be integrated into the community.”

The COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD Centre will open in April.

For more information contact Derbyshire Voluntary Action at info@dva.org.uk. For more information about the University of Derby’s College of Health and Social care, visit www.derby.ac.uk.

COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD uni DVA

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Businesses to benefit from funded internship scheme

Sheffield Hallam University are offering funded internships in 2019 to businesses, charities, social enterprises and NGOs.

The Hallam Internship Scheme is a funded scheme to support Sheffield Hallam University graduates wanting to gain quality work experience to support their employability after graduation.

This scheme is exclusively supporting Graduates who completed their studies in 2018 and Sheffield Hallam University are able to fund approximately 200 hours of work. Last year, the scheme placed 351 graduates, 79% are now in highly skilled employment.

It also provides businesses and organisations with talented graduates who are keen to gain experience in their sectors. Employers will have the opportunity to provide match funding to extend the internship period.

Companies seeking interns can advertise internships through the scheme and the University will provide Candidate Matching to help find the best graduates for the role. Employers must be able to support a minimum of 25 hours a week.

The Hallam Internship Scheme runs until September 2019, so organisations that don’t need an intern now can specify an ideal date for the internship to take place.

Businesses can apply here.

For more information contact the Sheffield Hallam Internship Team on 0114 2253433 or email employment.service@shu.ac.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

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