Bradford Investment Opportunities London Event

Invest in Bradford is hosting an event in London on Wednesday, 23 November. The event, titled Investment Opportunities in Bradford: The North's HQ Location of Choice, will highlight the upcoming events and developments that are happening in Bradford. The event will also provide a great networking experience for developers and business community members.

Bradford is currently undergoing major developments such as a new City Park (pictured) which will be located in the heart of Bradford, showcasing beautiful landscape and architectural designs. The new park will include a 'Business Forest' which will bring skilled jobs and investment back to the heart of the city. Numerous other development opportunities are in the planning process, and you can find out more about them here.

Bradford is one of the UK's largest and fastest growing cities, home to 20 plc companies employing over 11,000 people. Many major businesses have already located their headquarters in Bradford such as Morrisons, Yorkshire Building Society, and Provident Financial. The district offers a highly skilled workforce, exciting new commercial property opportunities as well as excellent transport links.

The event, which is from 11:00-13:00, is being opened by Lord Mayor of London elect David Wooton and will include presentations from the Chief Executive of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Tony Reeves, Martyn Jones of Morrisons, Peter Crook of Provident Financial plc, and Westfield Bradford. The presentations will be until 12:20, with an opportunity to network with other developers, business district members, MP's, Councillors and Council Executives over a buffet lunch following.

Please register your interest as soon as possible, as the event is filling quickly. Email your RSVP to jonathan.riley@pinsentmasons.com with the names of the contact from your organisation, who will be attending as well as any other special dietary requirements. You can find the invite on their website here.

For more information please see the Invest in Bradford website.

Meccano Toys Moves Back to Northern France

Meccano, one of the largest European toy manufacturers, has recently moved a segment of its production operations back to France. 

Alain Ingberg, Managing Director, explains that the move was done in stages over two years, and the investment began back in 2005 with the upgrading of facilities in Calais. "Now we are able to put a 'Made in France' logo on all our Calais-produced toys," he said.

According to Ingberg, Meccano decided to move back a portion of their Chinese manufacturing to Calais for two main reasons; "Firstly, we already had facilities there but they were under-used. We wanted them to be working to full capacity. Secondly, production in China was beginning to be problematic. The cost of labour was rising and delays in delivery had doubled and were increasing." Since moving production back to Calais, Meccano are able to offer significantly more flexibility.

Another influence was currency - the company's investment in China was primarily to serve the dollar market. It's more difficult to sell to Americans and Australians in euros than in dollars. Now that the euro is so much stronger than the dollar, Meccano has less interest in these markets.

Regional support in France offered another draw. "We didn't make the decision based on state funding, but we were helped enormously by the regional development agencies (CDCE et de Finorpa) during the difficult transition period," explains Ingberg.

Background:

Meccano is probably the oldest toy manufacturer in the world. Founded in Liverpool in 1898, its first factory was built in the UK. Meccano subsequently and for many years ran one factory in East Germany and one in France. The German factory closed down during the Second World War, and the British one closed around the same time due to low profits. So, only the French factory remained, first in Bobigny and then - from the 1950s - in Calais.

Spot Light on Future of UK Manufacturing at Leeds Event

The future of UK manufacturing will be high on the agenda at a major event taking place in Leeds at the end of November.

Business leaders and industry experts will gather at Leeds Valley Park on November 24^th, to debate the role of manufacturing and what needs to be done if the sector is to play its full part in rebalancing the UK economy.

Panellists include Juergen Maier, MD of Siemens UK Industry Sector, and Steve Pateman, Head of Commercial Banking at Santander. The discussion will be chaired by Peter Marsh, the UK manufacturing editor of the Financial Times.

Leeds City Council Marketing Manager David Baggaley said: “The Leeds City Region is the UK’s largest manufacturing centre outside London, and many of the companies based here are world leaders in their field.

“The Business of Manufacturing event will showcase the strengths of the sector in Leeds and the wider city region.

“The event will also offer practical advice on a range of key issues affecting the sector including skills, supply chain development, succeeding in export markets and opportunities presented by the new enterprise zones.

The free event runs from 8am to 11am and has been sponsored by Goodman, the developer of Leeds Valley Park, the Manufacturing Advisory Service, Leeds Manufacturing, and Leeds, Yorks and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

To register, visit Register Manufacturing Leeds.

Further information is available from David Baggaley at Leeds City Council on 0113 220 6350 or david.baggaley@locateinleeds.co.uk.

$50 Million Investment in Helicopter Manufacturing Venture, UAE

The Dh183m manufacturing facility will be based in Umm Al Quwain, an emirate in the UAE.

Quest Investment is pumping Dh183 million ($50 million) into the new enterprise. A new manufacturing plant will be developed on a 40,000 sq m plot in Umm Al Quwain, according to Yousuf Al Ansari, CEO of the new Quest Helicopters.

The helicopters will retail at $2.95 million each, and are aimed at the growing needs of VIPs, security agencies, police surveillance units, emergency response and humanitarian teams as well as the oil field supplies market in the region.

The prototype helicopters were designed by Ukraine's Volodymyr Udvenko and will feature a new series of engines built in the Ukraine. "The long life airframes have been engineered for robust operations, and feature a raft of cutting-edge technologies. These include an all-new primary fly-by-wire control system, a distinctive ejectable crew and passenger safety capsule cabin and a telemetry downlink maintenance monitoring system," said a Volodymyr Udvenko spokesperson.

Al Ansari stated, "We want to bring in the latest technology available in the market that will help create value to the overall aviation industry in the region and create employment for young Emiratis."

The Quest AVQ series will be the first civil helicopters to be manufactured in the UAE, and is currently in the design and development stage. Al Ansari anticipates that, "The helicopter will enter into the flight testing process from 2013 and we expect it to enter into commercial production by 2014."

The plant in Umm Al Quwain will have the facilities to assemble 50 helicopters a year, and the project is expected to generate new jobs from the end of 2012. It is one of many aviation industry ventures that are establishing UAE as an aviation centre in the Middle East.

According to Ajay Chaukulkar, chief executive of Sharjah-based Aerostar, "The opportunities in the region's aviation industry are numerous and there is no reason why investors should not take advantage of them by investing in aviation companies."

Bombardier Inc Investing in Morocco

Bombardier Inc, manufacturer of a large range of regional and business aircraft, revealed Wednesday 15 November that its aerospace division will be investing $200 million over eight years to set up a manufacturing facility in Morocco.

The region has already attracted France's EADS and Safron in a government attempt at developing the North African country's aerospace industry.

Bombardier has manufacturing plants in the United States, Northern Ireland, and Mexico. Much of the company's commercial and business jet production takes pace in Canada, but high labour costs and a strong Canadian dollar have increased production costs. Setting up a facility in Morocco is 'consistent with their strategy to improve their overall cost of structure,' BMO Capital Markets analyst Fadi Chamoun said.

The production of the plant will begin in 2013. Much of the manufacturing will be on simple plane parts, such as floor sections and panels, and will not be part of a specific plane program, said Bombadier spokeswoman, Haley Dunne.

The announcement coincides with the Dubai Airshow taking place this week, where Bombardier unveiled the flight deck of its new C-series plane and received an initial order for 10 single aisle jets.

Coca-Cola Opens New Premises in Drogheda, Ireland

The two new Coca-Cola operations at Southgate in Drogheda employ over 200 people in skilled positions in areas such as finance, supply chain, IT, legal and human resources, all supporting Coca-Cola’s global operations. The new offices are 58,000 sq. ft and allow room for expansion.

The ultra-modern and energy-efficient building was opened by Fergus O’Dowd, T.D., Minister at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, who was joined by Mr. Harry Anderson, Senior Vice President, Global Business & Technology Services, Mr. Fred Yochum, Vice President, Commercial Products Supply and other senior personnel and employees of The Coca-Cola System. The event was also attended by local elected representatives as well as those from the community, voluntary and business sector.

Minister O’Dowd, officiating at the event said: “I am delighted to officially open Coca-Cola’s Global Business Shared Services Centre in Drogheda today. This centre is a further endorsement of Ireland as a prime location for strategic business services activities.

Coca-Cola in Drogheda adds greatly to the local economy and offers excellent employment opportunities. On behalf of the Irish Government I would like to thank Coca-Cola for its continued investment here and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

Mr. Anderson referred to Drogheda as the "ideal location for international services".

Commenting on the Global Business Shared Services Centre, Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, said “Coca-Cola is a prestige brand name and a strategically important client of IDA’s. Its decision to locate key international business functions in Drogheda is hugely significant and endorses our ability to attract global services activity to Ireland, as outlined in our strategy Horizon 2020.”

Jaguar Land Rover to Produce Highly Efficient Engines in Staffordshire

After an 18-month tendering process, the i54 development site in Staffordshire has won the bid for Jaguar Land Rover’s new £355m advanced technology low emission engine plant.

The plant will be on the 220 acre business park, part of the newly created Enterprise Zones, and will join companies like Moog, Goodrich Actuation Systems, HS Marston Aerospace, and Tinken UK.

The new Jaguar Land Rover site will cover 130,000 sq m and incorporate two linked buildings consisting of a machining hall, assembly hall and ancillary offices. The construction of a new £36.7million Council-funded slip road from the M54 motorway to the site is also part of the deal and ready to commence.

"As part of our long-term strategy for the JLR business, we will design, engineer and manufacture a new family of advanced engines,” said Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer at Jaguar Land Rover. “This is a major commitment for our company and we will produce these advanced, highly-efficient engines for future Jaguar and Land Rover models at a new facility in the UK.”
JLR will invest £1.5 billion annually on new product developments for the next five years, expanding their engine range and further exploiting the global potential of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. “The all-new family of 4 cylinder engines will increase JLR's capability to offer high performance engines with class-leading levels of refinement, whilst ensuring continued significant reductions in vehicle emissions," added Dr Speth.

In addition to the site being a boost to the UK manufacturing industry, it will also create nearly 1,000 jobs. Councillor Ben Adams, cabinet member for economic growth and enterprise, said, “One of the key components of our offer as a destination for Jaguar Land Rover was the graduate workforce from our universities in Staffordshire and the wider region.”

Mike Wright, Executive Director at JLR, added, "I would like to pay tribute to the strong support we have received for this project from our key partners. The constructive and collaborative support we have received from the Government, our trade union colleagues, Local Authorities, local MPs, and of course our employees, has been crucial in enabling us to reach this very significant decision."

Rolls-Royce - 3 New Advanced Manufacturing Plants, Rotherham

Plans for three new Rolls-Royce factories in the Waverley Advanced Manufacturing Plant have been approved. These plans are a major boost for the local area that has a particular strength in advanced manufacturing. The investment is a step towards securing continued growth in manufacturing throughout the United Kingdom, a cornerstone policy in the Government’s plans to stimulate the economy.

The first factory is expected to start production in early 2013 “This is obviously only the first step in Rolls-Royce’s exciting plans, and sets in motion the development of yet another piece of the Advanced Manufacturing Park jigsaw,” said Councilor Gerard Smith.

Rolls-Royce does not seem to have been affected by the economic crisis; the group’s half-yearly report for 2011 showed a 28% increase in underlying profit before tax, with £8.7 bn of new orders creating a record order book for the company of £61.4 bn. The group's long-term strategy aims to double its total revenue in the next decade, through organic growth.

Nuclear

One of the factories on the site will be used to assemble power vessels for the next generation of UK nuclear power stations. Should plans proceed smoothly, it is expected that the first of the new vessels will be delivered in 2015. Detailed proposals regarding the facility, which is part of the company’s ‘Project PoWer’ initiative, are to be received in early 2012. 

As well as providing nuclear power to the UK, Rolls-Royce has operations worldwide, and was awarded a 20 year contract with the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic in February this year.

Aerospace

A second factory has been earmarked for the production of fan blades for the aerospace sector, as a sister factory to one currently in operation in Derby. At the height of the recession in 2009, the aerospace sector achieved growth of 5.4%, and currently employs approximately 100,000 people across the UK. The resilience of this industry is based primarily upon its export market, and if the UK’s current market share can be maintained, the industry would be worth an estimated £352 bn over the next 20 years, should growth targets be reached.

Both the nuclear and aerospace industries have also proven to be resistant to the effects of the recession, at a time when there is talk of a possible ‘double dip’. These two factories alone are expected to create up to 360 jobs. The third plant may also be used by Rolls-Royce or let to another occupier, possibly one of the firm’s suppliers.

Denis MacShane, MP for Rotherham added; "The decision of Rolls Royce to come to Rotherham and invest in the Advanced Manufacturing Park facility is a payback for the investment in creating this unique facility over the last ten years. It opens a new chapter in South Yorkshire's history as one of the world's engineering centres, and is good news for a new generation of workers."

France Launches Drive to Attract 2012 Olympic Visitors

Various districts of Northern France are going head-to-head with the UK in a bid to attract tourists seeking accommodation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With the majority of hotels and other accommodation providers in London and the South East already fully booked for the duration of the Games, authorities in the Cote d’Opale region are looking to take advantage of their close proximity to the UK.

There are 70000 beds available in the Cote d’Opale area, in hotels, campsites and holiday cottages. Some hotels are priced at €62 per night, compared to €110 in London and the South East.

Tourists who decide to stay in the area will be close to Eurostar connections in Calais and Lille, meaning they are a maximum of 90 minutes from the centre of London. The journey from Calais is just 60 minutes.

A network of greeters will be on hand, to meet visitors at local airports, seaports and train stations, and show them the sights of Cote d’Opale.

Notable tourist attractions in the region include the 800-year-old Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Saint Omer; Nausicaa, The French National Sea Experience centre; the Battle of Dunkerque Museum; and more than 100 miles of beaches.

There are also five casinos, six golf courses, and 17 shopping centres, as well as 30 sporting centres with facilities for various sports including gymnastics, horse riding, football and basketball.

Cote d’Opale Developpement was established in 2005 by four economic development agencies, covering the areas of Boulogne sur Mer, Calais, Dunkerque and Saint Omer.

The organisation’s main objective to promote investment opportunities on the Cote d’Opale. It also provides free customized assistance to companies and investors looking to locate or expand their business into the region.

The organisation will be exhibiting at the World Travel Market event at ExCeL London from November 7^th to 10^th. Sharing the stand will be the tourism boards of Boulogne sur mer, Calais, Dunkerque, Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais Tourism and Boulogne and le boulonnais region tourism.

Representatives will be available at Stand EM1300 for more information.

Media enquiries should be directed to Locations4Business on 0207 183 4588 or richard.swancott@locations4business.com.

£13.5M Boost for Jobs in Carmarthenshire

Work on a new business park in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire – which could eventually create over 1000 jobs – can now proceed after the Welsh Government announced a major financial backing.

A package of grants amounting to £13.5m will be used to install infrastructure, including a new access road from the A48, a new internal road, and utilities and landscaping of the site, which is close to Heol Parc Mawr and Gorslas.

Outline planning applications for offices, business incubation units, a hotel, a central business hub, an energy centre and other facilities for the park has already been lodged, and those behind the project claim it could eventually be home to more than 100 businesses.

Regeneration minister Huw Lewis said: "The development of this site will boost the region's economy by creating an accessible and high-quality environment to ensure businesses succeed, attracting further investment and leading to more job opportunities."

The Welsh Government is giving £9 million to the project, including money from the Western Valleys Regeneration Area, the European Regional Development Fund and a transport grant, while scheme manager Carmarthenshire Council is investing £4 million.

Councillor Clive Scourfield, the council's executive board member for regeneration, called it a "significant boost" for the county.

He said: "Our aim is to build on the strategic location of the site and ensure that Carmarthenshire will have employment land of the highest quality to attract investment and provide jobs in future.

"Despite difficult economic times it is vital that we develop the sites to accommodate future business investment and expansion."

Those promoting the new employment park hope it will attract green businesses that find and sell their goods and services locally.

They believe that having enough of these businesses in one place will mean the park will have a lower than average carbon footprint, produce less waste and see more rubbish recycled.