Derbyshire feed - This is Business East Midlands

Norton motorbike roars back into land speed record books

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

A MOTORCYCLE made by Castle Donington manufacturer Norton has set a world land speed record.

The firm's Norton's 961 Commando Special Edition clocked an average top speed of 129.191mph at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.

The bike this week claimed the record for the 1000cc Production Push-rod engine class at the annual BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials.

The Norton eclipsed the previous record of 126.398mph, which was set last year by a Buell bike.

Veteran motorcycle racing journalist Sir Alan Cathcart rode the Norton.

To achieve the record, he had to do two runs from which an average speed was taken.

On his first run, the speed trap clocked him at 129.003mph and on the second he recorded 129.380mph.

Sir Alan said that achieving the record on the Norton 961 Commando SE was special because the machine was no different to a road bike.

Sir Alan said: "It's nice to put Norton back in the record books for the first time in so many years.

"The fact that we did it on a stock bike exactly as delivered to any Norton customer makes it all the sweeter."

A spokesman for Norton said: "We're delighted that the Norton name is in the record books once again, adding to its long, illustrious racing heritage."

A team from Norton has been at Bonneville all this week competing in the trials.

The bike being used, the 961 Commando SE, has proved a hit since going back into full production this year.

As reported by the Derby Telegraph last week, celebrity owners include television presenter Richard Hammond, actor Orlando Bloom and rock legend Bruce Springsteen.

The Norton name was brought back to Britain from the United States in October, 2008.

Stuart Garner, a Derbyshire businessman, bought the 112-year-old firm from American Ollie Curme, who acquired the firm in 1992.

He has since invested millions of pounds in the venture and taken on dozens of people at the Castle Donington factory in the past 18 months.

This year, the bikes started rolling off the production line. The firm, which employs just over 50 people, aims to treble its factory to 30,000 sq ft over the next few years and start exporting bikes.

Mr Garner chose Donington Park for his factory in order to use the track to test his bikes.

Norton may enter MotoGP in 2012, when 1000cc bikes will once again be eligible. Mr Garner is reported to have asked for two slots.

The firm's rich racing pedigree dates back to 1907 when one of its bikes won the first ever Isle of Man TT.

Marc Potter, editor of Motorcycle News, said Norton's exploits in Bonneville and the firm's attempts to get into MotoGP would help boost sales further.

He said: "Norton has made an incredible comeback. When Stuart brought the brand back to the UK he made a lot of bold claims about what he was going to do and some sniggered.

"But so far he has done everything he has promised.

"What they are doing in Bonneville will raise the profile of this iconic brand even further and although MotoGP is incredibly difficult to break into and be competitive, I think it is important for Norton to get back racing because it has such a rich history in motor sport."

UTAH SALT FLATS HAS A HISTORY OF STAGING WORLD RECORD ATTEMPTS

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

THE Bonneville Salt Flats has been the scene of many historic land speed record attempts.

In particular, this densely-packed salt pan in northwestern Utah has become synonymous with British success.

It covers 30,000 acres (or 45 square miles) in an area so flat that from certain perspectives the curvature of the earth can actually be seen.

This makes the location ideal for setting land speed records by both cars and motorbikes.

The first unofficial car land speed record attempt to take place at Bonneville was in 1914 when American Teddy Tezlaff drove his Blitzen Benz to a speed of 141.73mph.

But it was in the 1930s that the location really started to grab international attention.

It was then that Brits George Eyston and John Cobb competed for the title of fastest man on earth – Eyston in his Thunderbolt car and Cobb driving his Railton Special.

In the 1960s, the arrival of jet-powered vehicles saw the 600mph barrier broken at Bonneville by American Gary Goabolich.

Bonneville is still used for record attempts by other types of cars, as well as bikes.

Before Norton's success, it has been the scene of past Derbyshire triumphs.

Four years ago, the JCB Dieselmax car, powered by engines built at JCB Power Systems at Foston, set a world diesel land speed record of 350mph.

Rolls-Royce probe as hole rips through failed engine of passenger jet

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

THIS dramatic picture shows damage caused when a Rolls-Royce engine failed in mid-air.

It reveals a hole torn in the Qantas airlines flight from San Francisco to Sydney, which had 212 passengers and 18 crew members on board.

It had to turn back shortly after take-off when the Rolls-Royce RB211 engine, which was developed in Derby, developed a mechanical fault.

Reports of the incident on Monday said passengers saw flames and sparks flying out of the engine.

The pilots dumped fuel before making an emergency landing at San Francisco.

A Rolls-Royce spokesman said last night it was helping the airline with its investigation.

He said: "It would not be appropriate to go into any further details while an investigation is still being carried out."

Meanwhile, it has also emerged that Rolls-Royce RB211 engines were the subject of a safety warning from the American-based Federal Aviation Administration last month.

An "airworthiness directive" was issued which said that "several low pressure turbine shafts had been found with cracks originating from the rear cooling air holes" in a number of Rolls-Royce RB211 engines.

Due to take effect from September 27, it calls for airlines to inspect blades for cracks during the next scheduled maintenance visit.

It says the cost of replacing parts, if found to be faulty, would be £10,000.

However, it is understood the information in the directive was first issued by another authority more than two years ago.

It is also understood that the type of RB211 engine that developed a fault on the Qantas flight was not affected by the safety bulletin.

David Learmount, safety editor of aviation website Flight Global, said about 100 directives were issued globally every day and were a "preventative" measure.

"It is not a major problem," he said. "Airworthiness directives are put out when a fault is found and it advises anyone else using the same part to carry out an inspection. It's basically saying 'someone else had a problem, why don't you avoid it by checking to see if it is down the line'?

"This is simply a very effective safety system. There might be a directive about a radio set which keeps getting short-circuits and issues electrical heat smells."

JCB chief Sir Anthony sees first day of engineering academy

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

THE next generation of engineers and business leaders have taken part in their first day of studies at a £22 million academy.

Yesterday, the JCB Academy at Rocester, sited at the revamped grade-two listed Tutbury Mill, welcomed its first students.

The school aims to equip youngsters from Derbyshire and East Staffordshire with the knowledge and skills to drive forward the UK economy in future years.

Its curriculum will draw on the engineering expertise of the digger maker, as well as some of the region's other leading manufacturers, including Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota.

Yesterday, 120 year-ten pupils started lessons. They will be joined on Monday by 50 sixth formers.

Eventually, the academy – the first school of its kind in the UK aimed at 14-to-19-year-olds that focuses entirely on engineering – will cater for 540 youngsters.

Among the first pupils is Adam Nawaz, 14, of Rutland Street, Normanton.

The former Landau Forte pupil said: "The academy is fantastic. I had already had a look around before starting.

"I've wanted to be an engineer for a long time and I think this is probably the best place in the world to train for that. The facilities are brilliant."

The academy was the brainchild of JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, who was at the academy to witness its first day.

He said: "I am passionate about engineering and committed to British manufacturing.

"We need the right calibre of young people to ensure that we continue to be a nation that makes things in an innovative way."

Bombardier-Virgin train to promote rail travel as green

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

DERBY train-maker Bombardier has teamed up with rail operator Virgin to promote the environmental benefits of travelling by train.

A Virgin Super Voyager train has been rebranded to include Bombardier's name on the side, along with the slogan: "More train, fewer cars, greener plant."

The branding marks the partnership between Virgin and Bombardier, which built and maintains the Super Voyager fleet.

The train will operate mainly between Scotland and Birmingham and also between north Wales, Chester and London.

Colin Walton, chairman of Bombardier Transportation UK, said: "We are extremely proud of our relationship with Virgin and our Super Voyager product.

"We are demonstrating what everyone knows with this branding: that travelling by rail is better for the planet."

Short list is created for family business awards

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

FIRMS from across Derbyshire have been shortlisted for new awards that recognise the importance of family businesses.

Hodgkinson Builders, of Derby, has been nominated for three awards, while P&D Specialist Services, in Tansley, and Action Coach, from near Ashbourne, are competing for one award each at the first Midlands Family Business Awards.

Hilary Campton, project manager of the Midlands Family Business Awards, said many family members "live and breathe" a family business from a young age and are expected to get on with working within it when they finish school, often with little outside support.

She said: "Because of this, often family businesses can be overlooked or neglected, which is why we wanted to recognise these businesses."

Pat Musgrave set up P&D Specialist Services with his brother, Dave, in 2008.

The company installs and maintains CCTV cameras that monitor traffic movements on motorways and main roads across the UK.

They are down to the final five in the best newly-established family business category.

Pat, 44, said: "It's great news to be told we've been short-listed. It's nice that someone recognises your hard work and what you are trying to achieve."

Neale Lewis runs Action Coach, which helps businesses improve their sales.

It has been put forward in the category of leading advisor to family businesses.

Hodgkinson's Builders will fight it out for three awards: personal excellence; commitment to the community and best development of talent.

All winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 11, at the family-owned Thrumpton Hall, near Nottingham.

Council leaders from Derbys and Notts sign up for LEP bid

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

A PROPOSAL which would see Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire working together to boost the local economy is ready to be sent to the Government for approval.

Yesterday, council leaders from both counties signed the final document which sets out the reasons why Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire should join forces to create a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

At a signing in Nottingham, Derbyshire County Council leader Andrew Lewer and city council leader Harvey Jennings put pen to paper alongside Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City.

Local Enterprise Partnerships are due to replace regional development agencies, including East Midlands Development Agency, at the end of March 2012.

The coalition Government agreed to axe the agencies and replace them with a partnership of local authorities and business leaders.

The Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire LEP would have a chairman from the business sector.

Following the signing by local authority leaders, the proposal will be sent to Business Secretary Vince Cable and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles.

Richard Williams, director of regeneration at Derby City Council, said: "We have had to work to a very tight time scale but the fact that we have been able to get to this point so quickly is testament to the relationship which already exists between the two counties.

"Places like Manchester and Birmingham are quite far advanced with their preparations and Derby is up there with them."

JCB helps rebuild flood-hit Pakistan

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:30:00 GMT

DIGGER manufacturer JCB has donated machines to help with Pakistan's reconstruction programme in the wake of the devastating floods.

Sir Anthony Bamford, chairman of the Rocester-based firm, has donated two backhoe loaders, worth £162,000, to be used to help the millions of people left homeless by the disaster.

He said: "I hope that JCB's donation of machines can assist in some small way."

In 2005, the company donated excavators to Pakistan to help in the clear up operation after its earthquake.

Earlier this year, JCB donated equipment worth almost £100,000 to help the disaster relief effort in Haiti following its earthquake.

Toyota's shares go into reverse after US recall

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

A DECISION by Japanese car-maker Toyota to recall more than 1.1 million vehicles in America and Canada gave its share price a knock.

Before the markets closed on Friday the firm's share price on the London Stock Exchange took a hit – despite the fact that no cars built at Toyota's Burnaston factory are involved in the recall.

The firm's share price fell 3.6 per cent last week, the worst performer of the top 10 local listed companies.

The share price of aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce, which has its civil aerospace division in Derby, also dipped as news emerged on Friday that Boeing was delaying the delivery of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Rolls-Royce supplies Trent 1000 engines for the aircraft.

1. PUNCH TAVERNS: UP from 77.25p to 80p, a rise of 2.75p or 3.6%. (London Stock Exchange FTSE 100. Restaurants, pubs and breweries).

2. UNILEVER: UP from £16.89 to £17.20, a rise of 31p or 1.8%. (London Stock Exchange FTSE 100).

3. RECKITT BENCKISER: UP from £31.42 to £31.92, a rise of 50p or 1.6%. (London Stock Exchange FTSE 100).

4. BOMBARDIER: UP from £2.75 to £2.78, a rise of 3p or 1.1%. (Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as Bombardier Inc).

5. CITIGROUP (parent company to Egg): DOWN from £2.41 to £2.40, a fall of 1p or 0.4%. (Listed on the Dow Jones as Citigroup Inc).

6. MARSTON'S: DOWN from 93.1p to 92.4p, a fall of 0.7p or 0.8%. (London Stock Exchange FTSE 250).

7. ROLLS-ROYCE: DOWN from £5.60.5 to £5.52.5, a fall of 8p or 1.4%. (London Stock Exchange FTSE 100).

8. MOLSON COORS: DOWN from £28.61 to £27.84, a fall of 77p or 2.7%. (Listed on the Dow Jones).

9. THORNTONS: DOWN from 81.25p to 79p, a fall of 2.25p or 2.8%. (London Stock Exchange FTSE Food and Drug Retailers).

10. TOYOTA: DOWN from £30.09 to £29.20, a fall of 89p or 3%. (London Stock Exchange).

Stock market prices taken at 4pm on Friday compared to 9am last Monday.

Alex beats ME to show she's got right stuff for business

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

A WOMAN who set up her own well-being consultancy despite suffering from a debilitating illness herself is up for an award recognising people who have started a business against the odds.

Alexandra Bacon, of Cromford, has had to live with chronic fatigue syndrome for the past decade.

She has learned to manage the condition and last year set up her own counselling and wellbeing consultancy called Lotus Therapeutics.

The business has now been short-listed for the Barclays Trading Places Awards. It is the only one from Derbyshire that has been included in its national top 100.

She could now go on to win a share of more than £50,000 worth of cash and prizes in the competition

The 26-year-old said: "Since I started the business it has been a challenging 18 months in a lot of respects.

"But it's probably the most rewarding period of my life too, as I'm now following my dream.

"The condition is very frustrating. After completing my A-levels I had been due to study psychology at university but I had a serious relapse.

"I used my time to train as a counsellor and become qualified. I eventually felt ready to start my own business.

"It was so unexpected to be short-listed for the Trading Places award.

"It has given me a boost to continue with the business and move it on to the next stage and set up new projects in the local community.

"I still have the condition and cannot work 12-hour days. But I am a lot better than I was."

Chronic fatigue syndrome is often referred to as the "invisible illness".

It is also known as post-viral fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME. The main feature of ME is excessive fatigue but other symptoms are muscle or joint pain, headaches and recurring infections, such as a sore throat.

In her business, set up with help from the Prince's Trust, Alexandra teaches techniques she learned to cope with her illness.

Alexandra, who has practices in Derby and Matlock, delivers therapy, coaching and training sessions to clients in the voluntary, public and private sectors.

She said "Having suffered from ME for 10 years I was healed using these techniques. I have since developed an integrative healing system which I use with my clients

"I work with people who want to make big life changes, such as losing weight, getting a new career or relationship, or quitting smoking, who are struggling to make it happen.

The next stage of the Barclays competition will whittle the 100 businesses down to 25 semi-finalists.

Winners will be named from 10 national finalists at a gala dinner at London's Savoy Hotel on November 30.

Bathroom and floor specialist branches out into kitchen ranges

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

A BATHROOM and flooring business which has been in Derby for almost 60 years is investing in its premises so it can start selling kitchens.

Maurice Parker Group is carrying out the work at its Alfreton Road premises as it looks to branch out into offering kitchen ranges, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Sheraton.

The company, which was founded 57 years ago, has also used the expansion to revamp its core bathroom and flooring business.

Work has started on the refurbishment, which is due to be completed in time for an official launch on Thursday, September 30.

The firm, which has been at its Alfreton Road premises for 20 years, remains a family business.

Managing director Duncan Parker is the son of founder Maurice. He joined the company 36 years ago.

He said: "This significant investment underlines the company's confidence in the improving economic situation.

"With such an exciting development, it seemed an ideal opportunity to give the whole showroom a complete makeover.

"We believe that quality counts, along with good old fashioned personal service.The company is proud of its Derbyshire heritage."

Builder is branching out at Branston site

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

AN IIlkeston housebuilder has opened a sales office at a development near Burton.

Fairgrove Homes is building seven detached homes in Howards Way, off Old Road, Branston, where the first roof is about to go on.

Managing director Steve Midgley said: "It took us a while to find the right site, but this location ticks all the boxes. Completion of the first home is scheduled to take place in September and we've already seen a healthy amount of interest."

Latest chapter of city success story looks like writing itself for publisher

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

BOOK sales plummeted, independent bookshops were going bust, multiples and supermarkets were squeezing prices like never before.

Last year was one of the toughest times for the publishing industry and one of the victims was Derby-based Breedon Books, which had published hundreds of books on sport and local history since 1982.

It found itself overstretched and its owners decided to place it into administration last year.

DB Publishing, a new company under the same ownership, immediately emerged from the financial mire in November 2009.

It was a relatively painless process for the staff with all 14 being retained at the same premises at the Parker Centre.

By the end of its first year trading as DB Publishing, it will have brought out 60 books and, it hopes, marked its place as one of the UK's foremost independent publisher of sport and local history books.

It publishes books about motor sport, cricket, rugby, true crime, biographies, tourist attractions and ghosts but by far and away its biggest successes cover football.

A recent coup came when former Tottenham Hotspur and England footballer Darren Anderton chose the firm to publish his autobiography.

Head of sales Gavin Elliott said: "He had been in contact with bigger publishers but he chose DB Publishing to bring the book out and we expect it to be a big seller when it comes out in October, hopefully selling between 5,000 and 10,000 copies."

Selling around 5,000 copies, Brian and Peter: A Right Pair, Maurice Edwards' book about Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, has been one of this year's major successes.

After the unveiling of the statue of Clough and Taylor at Pride Park last Friday, DB Publishing expects further sales and Gavin ensured that the shelves at the club shop were well stocked.

Football books represent decent business and, of the 30 books for publication between now and Christmas, 25 are about the sport.

The flagship product at DB Publishing, like Breedon Books before it, is The Complete Record series.

These exhaustive volumes contain the complete history, results, scorers, line-up and attendance of every game for football league clubs, ranging from Manchester United to Burton Albion, the Brewers' book being published in October.

On the publishing schedule at the moment are both Birmingham City and Aston Villa, which will result in a cute strategy to boost sales.

Gavin said: "They're such big rivals that we'll have posters printed with the two books on for shops in Birmingham.

"We're not a massive publishing house so we have to do all we can to generate sales."

On hearing the news that Craig Bellamy had signed for Cardiff City, the company made sure that its club shop had plenty of copies of the Complete Record of the Bluebirds to make the most of the higher footfall.

Book signings and reviews in the regional press are all important in getting the message across.

Head of marketing Jo Rush has to create maximum exposure at minimum cost.

She said: "Maurice Edwards, who wrote the A Right Pair book, must have done 30 signings despite him being in his 80s.

"This kind of activity has a really positive impact on sales."

Of course, to generate those sales, you need books that people want to read and the ideas have to come from somewhere.

At DB Publishing, it is Alex Morton's job to commission new books and sort the wheat from the chaff regarding ideas from prospective authors.

Of the many authors who have produced books for DB Publishing and its predecessor, Breedon Books, only a handful do so on a full-time basis.

Alex said: "They tend to be amateur historians writing because they have a passion for what they do and are happy to have their name in print.

"Most of them do only have one book in them but there are a few who make a living out of it and who we go back to regularly.

"For the football books, they are often the club's own historians or the person who writes the programmes," he said.

Depending on the status of the author and book sales, writers can expect to receive between 50p and £2 for each copy sold.

That generally represents about 10 per cent of the wholesale price at which books are sold to retailers.

This wholesale price itself depends largely on the volume of orders, Waterstone's and WH Smith's buying in hundreds of books will naturally pay less per unit than the dwindling band of independent bookshops.

An advance on royalties is usually paid on publication although on occasion, regular authors might merit an advance payment before completion.

One of DB's regular authors is Mark Metcalf, who most recent book is Manchester United's First Championship, due for publication next month.

Because it's one of the world's biggest clubs, books about Manchester United sell particularly well – although Alex and his colleagues have to avoid repetition.

Alex said: "The Ferguson years have been done to death and we can't keep going over old ground.

"The book about the club's first championship is something a bit different."

The publisher has developed close relationships with many football clubs and is always looking to tie in books to significant anniversaries.

Books in the Complete Record series generally take the best part of a couple of years to finish – though getting it from manuscript to shelf may only take a couple of months.

Given the turnaround times involved with each book and the fact that there are 92 football league clubs to go at, subject matter will never be in short supply.

And, after five or ten years or a period of relative success for any given club, it becomes worthwhile producing an update.

In the meantime, fans insatiable for more reading matter about the history of their team have the Who's Who books, detailing everyone who ever played for a club, and the Memorable Matches series.

DB has also teamed up with the Newcastle Chronicle and Yorkshire Post to produce books compiling the back-page stories on Newcastle United and Leeds United from last season when they both won promotion, picking up silverware.

There is an approximate 60-40 split between sporting and history books but, in the run-up to Christmas, it's the books about sport that come to the fore.

It is in spring that the focus shifts to picture-led publications such as the From the Air or City Beautiful series, the company having developed relationships with various cities to produce guide books.

It now supplies over 100 tourist information offices.

Plans for the future include having a commercial photographic department to sell copies of the photographs that appear in its books, and publishing e-books.

It is good for the city that much has been salvaged from the ashes of Breedon Books, originally set up in 1982 by local author and Derby Telegraph columnist Anton Rippon, who sold it in 2003.

Similar independent publishers have gone to the wall in recent years, closing their doors definitively.

Gavin said: "A number of our competitors have gone bust, which has helped us bounce back, but we like to think it's also down to the high-quality books we are bringing out.

"It seems that independent bookshops are still closing daily and there is pressure on prices but sales on the internet through Amazon and our own site are growing and we have exciting plans for the future."

My Week

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

MONDAY

Monday begins at our head office in Derby and, as I live in Tamworth, it means an early start for me.

GCA has five offices around the Midlands and my remit is to oversee the development and management of the structural engineering business in these offices.

Today's agenda includes a meeting with the chairman and company secretary to review workload and prospects and to discuss business development.

The past 18 months have been difficult for the construction industry as a whole and we are devoting a lot of time to renewing and maintaining contact with people we have done business with in the past and trying to identify opportunities. On my way back to Tamworth, I stop and have a cup of tea with my mother.

TUESDAY

I travel to our Leicester office this morning to meet a developer who is contemplating a seven-storey apartment development in the centre of Leicester and, having worked with us before, has asked for our support in moving the project forward.

After the meeting we visit the site and call at a local architect to gauge his interest in becoming involved and discuss some basic architectural criteria. I am back at home a little earlier than usual and the sun is shining, so I head out for a quick round of golf.

WEDNESDAY

An early start as I attend a Forum for the Built Environment breakfast meeting at 7.30am in Birmingham.

The FBE runs a series of meetings around the country. It's an excellent platform for keeping in touch with colleagues in the construction profession and well worth the early start. The meeting is over by 9am and I head over to meet the head of the construction department at a Birmingham law practice before meeting a long-standing architect friend.

Later, I meet a client for whom we are designing some glass balustrades. We discuss an opportunity to design some large glass screens for a high-profile venue in London. Then I battle home through the rush-hour traffic.

THURSDAY

I travel to our Warwick office for a meeting with Birmingham City Council and learn that GCA is to be appointed, for a five-year period, as the sole consultant for the provision of structural checking services. Later, I prepare a fee proposal for a £1 million two-storey office extension.

The potential client has been referred by another of our clients and has asked us for a proposal for managing the project and co-ordinating the input of the other professionals.

In the afternoon, I visit the client to explain our proposal and the challenge of assessing flood risk and obtaining planning permission.

Back at the office I receive an inquiry from a local architect, who wants to meet regarding the structural design of a £250,000 school extension.

FRIDAY

After meeting the architect and receiving the brief on the school extension, I travel to Darlaston to collect some drawings from a housing association. We have been called in to investigate some defects at one of their developments.

From Darlaston, I travel to a site in Walsall to meet another housing association client. He has asked us to inspect a very high brick retaining wall. After the meeting I travel back to Tamworth in time to go out to dinner with my wife.

SATURDAY

The weather stops me from working in our much-neglected garden but, unfortunately, doesn't prevent a morning at the shops.

In the afternoon, I prepare several fee proposals for structural investigation work at premises in Stoke, before spending the evening at a restaurant with friends.

SUNDAY

Sunday dawns bright and sunny so the lawns will finally get some attention.

First I prepare the school extension fee proposal and e-mail the housing association clients regarding their structural issues. I have a keen interest in photography that I haven't been able to pursue much recently due to a busy work schedule. However, with a clear afternoon, I go out and work on some landscapes.

Consultancy's new name and offices

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

A STAFF consultancy in Belper has opened new training facilities and changed its name.

Avrec has marked the opening of new offices and on-site training facilities in King Street by changing the name of the business to Talk Staff.

The firm has also appointed Angela Bell as head of training and development.

She said: "Having spent many years in human resources, it's always been important for me to ensure staff are not only fully trained but they have the knowledge and expertise to drive the business forward, regardless of their role."

Technology award deadline nearing

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

TECHNOLOGY companies in Derbyshire have weeks left to enter a contest to find the best 50 in the country.

Entries for the 2010 Deloitte Fast 50 Technology awards, which recognise and rank technology companies with an exceptional growth in turnover over the last five years, close on Friday, September 17.

Mark Doleman, office senior partner at Deloitte, in Nottingham, said: "Since the awards were established 13 years ago tech companies from the East Midlands have featured in the list.

"Companies have to demonstrate revenue growth over a five-year period – an exercise that underlines sustainability of the businesses as much as the appetite for their technology."

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on November 25.

For details and award entry forms, visit www.fast50.co.uk.

Protect yourself from criminals, companies told

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

A SPECIALIST business crime prevention service has handled nearly 200 reported incidents of suspected criminal activity in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire so far this year.

BusinessWatch, a service facilitated by the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with police and local authority partners in both counties, is now urging firms to make sure they are protected.

It warns that with the minimum wage increase in October and VAT due to rise to 20 per cent in January, both prices and the cost of employing people will rocket and many firms may overlook their security needs.

Recent figures show that the average business loses £5,000 to crime every year.

It is estimated that it costs firms in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire £442 million.

BusinessWatch aims to help firms boost their security and prevent crime by working with them to identify potential risks and problems and provide cost-effective solutions.

The scheme was launched in 1995 and has since helped to improve security for more than 2,500 companies.

The chamber's deputy chief executive, Scott Knowles, said: "It is crucial firms do all they can to protect their premises, equipment, product holdings, staff and customers."

Red Letter Days to boost performance

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

AN office equipment firm in Derby has signed up to an incentives scheme which could see their best performing staff treated to a pampering session or driving a Ferrari.

Document Network Services, of Pride Park, has launched a Red Letter Days points scheme that will allow staff to earn rewards for hitting their targets.

Workers will be able to use their points to choose a treat from the Red Letter Days website.

The firm recently refurbished its Melbourne Court premises and is looking to recruit an extra account manager and telemarketer.

Darren Marsh, managing director of the Xerox office hardware and software specialist, said: "It's an exciting time for the company following our recent expansion and refurbishment."

Surveyors achieve chartered status

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

TWO property professionals in Derbyshire are among a group who are celebrating completing a quantity surveying qualification.

James Bromley, who works for Laing O'Rourke, and James Scholter, of Innes England, have achieved chartered status after completing their Assessment of Competence with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Mr Bromley said: "Becoming chartered is a huge achievement which provides me with a firm foundation to build the rest of my career on."

Mr Scholter said: "The RICS designation really is seen as a kite mark for professionalism within the surveying fraternity. To be a part of that is incredible on a personal level."

How James can help 'quitters' exceed their expectations

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:00 GMT

AT the time of writing, James Elkington has given up smoking.

The managing director of Esker is three-and-a-half months in and has replaced his habit with mountain biking.

He is on the brink of that stage where he no longer thinks about tobacco, a feeling he has not had for 24 years.

But it was during his days as a smoker that he got the idea for a marketing ploy which best describes what his company does.

Esker, which is on the Wyvern Business Park, is involved in "document process automation solutions". Quite a mouthful.

One day he was outside the office smoking a cigarette reading the Government health warning.

"'Quit now by calling the quit hotline', it read," said James, who joined me for lunch in Le Bistrot Pierre, in Friar Gate.

"Basically, our company provides software which helps companies reduce the amount of paper they use in the office by doing it all through computers.

"Our aim is to create 'paperless' offices. So I decided to borrow this and now our mantra is 'quit paper'.

"When you think about it, over the years there has been a number of innovations that have helped companies reduce the amount of paper they use.

"E-mail is a perfect example of this. But with the technology available today there is far more that companies can be doing."

Esker, which employs 14 people at its Derby office, specialises in automating the flow of documents into, within and out of the organisation.

There are some things that businesses may think they cannot do on a computer but James is out to prove them wrong.

He said: "With some things, people like to hold the document in their hand. They may receive something through their computer and the first thing they do is go and print it out.

"What we do is develop systems where they do not need to print anything.

"Esker first started out 25 years ago after it came up with a system that would allow little computers to communicate through one big computer.

"We then developed "delivery ware", software which can deliver documents between computers. We initially started selling it to IT people, but things really took off when we sold it to companies.

"The system was developed so that people could be paid electronically, delivery documents could be signed electronically and online invoices could be sent. There were all sorts of applications.

"Documents such as invoices, statements, remittances, reminders, can be delivered straight from a computer without the need for dealing with paper, printers, envelopes, folding, franking and posting."

James believes that, in these austere times, where businesses are looking at ways to cut costs, his company can come to the fore.

He said: "This is money-saving technology. It's not just about savings on paper, but also man hours. You think about how long it takes to process and send a paper invoice.

"It also helps organisations reduce their carbon footprint."

The challenge for Esker is convincing businesses that a paperless office is possible.

In March the company held a free seminar at Pride Park Stadium to outline their business case.

James said: "I think businesses are starting to embrace this technology more these days.

"But there is no point in having a great product if the customer support is not there. Customer service is something that we work very hard on.

"Again, another moment of clarity happened when I was a smoker. It was when I worked in Australia for Esker.

"I was standing outside the office building having a cigarette and a down-and-out approached me. I was expecting him to ask for some change. Instead he said 'hello' and remarked that it was a nice day.

"Later that day, I was in the car stuck in traffic and there was this guy in a Porsche 911 getting really wound up.

"I thought, 'which one of the two is the happier?' and it was obviously the down-and-out who hadn't got two pennies to rub together.

"Then it struck me it is all about expectations and how high they are. Our aim as a business is to come up with technology and customer service which exceeds people's expectations."