Business

Cathelco Winning Customers Worldwide

Cathelco’s desalination division is continuing to win orders worldwide in the commercial and military sectors for their range of space saving watermakers.

One of the latest orders has come from Norwegian based Havyard Ship Technology who are building a Hvyard 832 SOV wind turbine service vessel for the Danish shipping company ESVAGT. It will be used to service the Dudgeon wind farm operated by Statoil off the coast of Norfolk in the UK.
Cathelco are supplying Havyard with a T30 desalinator which has the capacity to produce up to 30 tonnes of fresh water per day for a full range of washing and cleaning requirements. The units provide a high output for their size and are ideal for installation where space is limited, whilst allowing good access for routine maintenance.

Another order has come from Reederei Nord, the Dutch ship managers who have purchased desalinators for two oil/chemical tankers, the Nord Isle (12,810 dwt) built in 2009 and a sister ship Nord Ocean which entered service a year later.

Both vessels will be installed with Cathelco H2016 desalinators which can produce up to 6.5 tonnes of potable water per day. Compactly designed, the units are ideal for retrofitting and have diagnostic systems to continually monitor the quality of the water.

In Australia, defence prime contractors Austal are building a further two Cape Class Patrol vessels. The 58 metre ships under construction for the Australian Commonwealth are each being installed with two Cathelco H2012 desalinators. These will provide 10 tonnes of fresh water daily for up to 18 crew members on the vessels which have a top speed of 26 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles.

For the first time, Cathelco have supplied desalinators to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. These have been installed on the MV Capt David.I.Lyon, a container ship which supports US Air Force missions and the MV LTC John U.D Page which provides ocean transport to sustain U.S. Army operations.

The ships are being equipped with Cathelco T35 desalinators which can produce up to 35 tonnes of freshwater per day for a wide range of domestic uses.

One of the most distinctive vessels in the history of Remontowa Shipbuilding will be installed with two Cathelco desalinators. This is the El-Mellah, a three masted frigate which is being built as a sail training vessel for Algerian Navy cadets. With a length of 110 metres and a main mast 54 metres high the ship can accommodate more than 200 people.

In addition to providing two desalinators, each with the capacity of producing 16 tonnes of freshwater per day, Cathelco is supplying an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system to safeguard the steel hull against corrosion.

“Cathelco offers a portfolio of products to the marine industry and we are delighted to have supplied two types of systems for this very impressive vessel”, said Chris Bell, general manager of the company’s desalination division.

Cathelco desalinators are now exported throughout the world, a growth in sales that has benefitted from the ability to create packages of equipment that can include marine growth prevention systems, ICCP hull corrosion protection and ballast water treatment systems. The division stems from the acquisition of Seafresh Desalinators in 2010 and has flourished as the result of product development.

In 2015, the scope of Cathelco’s activities in the desalinator market were strengthened and extended by the acquisition of HEM, the well known manufacturers of water treatment systems for the luxury yacht market, based in the South of France.

A Cathelco 'Ton' desalinator

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

£2.8m of funding on offer for green projects

£2.8m of funding is to be invested in projects across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire which will preserve and protect the environment and promote more efficient use of resources (water, energy, land).

D2N2 – the private sector led partnership promoting economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – has announced calls for project bids, from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), part of its €250million European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). The deadline for applications is Friday May 27.

The two key activities under this call will be to encourage businesses to use resources more efficiently and improve the means by which land is protected environmentally. This would include measures to protect and restore biodiversity, soil quality and ecosystems, and to promote innovative technologies to improve environmental protection and efficient use of resources.

Organisations bidding for funding will need to provide at least half the costs of their projects, meaning a £2million project would receive £1million from the successful bidder and £1million from the D2N2 funding pot. Organisations’ matched funding must be from a source other than the European Union.

The minimum single bid which can be made to the D2N2 fund is £500,000, meaning projects costing less than a million pounds in total would not be considered. The project funding is designed to last for up to three years.

Free information sessions for potential bidders – which will cover ESIF’s strategic priorities in the D2N2 LEP area and an overview of the kinds of projects it is looking for – will be held in May on:

• Wednesday May 11, from 10am to 2.30pm – At the Enterprise Centre, University of Derby, Bridge Street, Derby

• Thursday May 12, from 10am to 2.30pm – At the Mansfield i-Centre, Oakham Business Park, Hamilton Way, Mansfield,

There will be a maximum of 25 spaces available at each session, with places allocated on a first come, first served basis.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Part of D2N2’s mission is to move its area’s economy towards operating in a more sustainable way, so that future generations can enjoy a strong economy and healthy environment.

“These latest major calls are for projects to tackle climate change’s effects, protect the environment and support business growth. D2N2 is looking for large scale projects which will have a lasting impact.”

Queries about the two funding ‘calls’ should be directed to Richard Kirkland, ESIF Co-ordinator for D2N2, on email: richard.kirkland@d2n2lep.org

More information about the criteria which applicants will need to meet is available by clicking here.

Further information on how D2N2 is investing its European Structural and Investment Funds can be found at www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding.

Growth Sculpture Horns bridge Roundabout

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

More positive job figures announced

The number of people in work in the East Midlands has increased by 13,339 and the number of people out of work has fallen by 9,620 over the past year, according to figures released this morning.

The latest regional employment bulletin from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that between December 2015 and February 2016, there were 2.25 million people in jobs and 106,146 people unemployed across the region.

It means the East Midlands’ employment rate currently stands at 59.9%, while the region’s unemployment rate of 4.5% remains well below the national 5.1% and is the fourth lowest of all UK regions.

In terms of out of work claimants, there was a monthly decrease of 630, to 31,990 across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire between January and February, and there were 6,005 fewer claimants across the three counties than there were in March 2015.

In Chesterfield there were 1,140 out of work claimants in March, a slight increase from the figure reported in February (1,130), however 265 lower than the same month last year (1,405). The current percentage of the population claiming the benefit now stands at 1.7% and is below the national average of 1.9%.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The local labour market has stabilised following the usual seasonal spike in unemployment as temporary contracts came to an end after the Christmas period and these figures are once again positive and further demonstrate just how robust the East Midlands is when it comes to creating jobs and driving the economy.

“However, we need to be mindful of future uncertainties which may affect business confidence and prompt employers to put their investment recruitment plans on hold until stability returns.

“Changes to apprenticeships funding, the introduction of a National Living Wage and the continued rollout of auto-enrolment mean that employers are also facing increasing up-front costs.

“It’s vital that business policy continues to provide the right support and environment to facilitate job creation, particularly in the production sectors, where the East Midlands’ real strength lies.”

Growth Sculpture Horns bridge Roundabout

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Raise the profile of your business with Aviva Women’s Tour

Derbyshire businesses are being offered a unique opportunity to raise their profile by sponsoring the Aviva Women’s Tour − the world’s most prestigious women’s cycling event.

The Aviva Women’s Tour takes place in June, and Stage 3 heads for Derbyshire on Friday 17 June 2016 when the world’s top female cyclists will race from Ashbourne to Chesterfield. This is being billed as the toughest part of the race.

The stage will race through the heart of the Peak District National Park including Buxton, Chatsworth, Youlgreave and Matlock, before the finish in Chesterfield.

There are a variety of sponsorship packages on offer to enable businesses to get their name in front of thousands of people watching the race.

Organisations will be able to have their logo displayed at the start and finish of the event and VIP hospitality. Global TV coverage of the event is planned, and companies will be able to meet some of the competitors. Businesses will also be offered a track session at Derby Velodrome.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Dean Collins, said:

“We’re delighted to be welcoming the Women’s Tour to Derbyshire for the first time, and are keen to hear from any local business who want to make the most of this opportunity.

“Hosting this prestigious sporting event will put Derbyshire on the cycling tourism map, and we hope it will also give local businesses a chance to enhance their profile at the same time.”

More information on sponsorship packages are available from Stephanie Walsh tel: 01629 538464 or email stephanie.walsh@derbyshire.gov.uk

Aviva Womans Tour

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield Retail Awards 2016 Finalists Revealed

Eight retailers are set to defend nine titles at this year’s 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards. They join a total of 36 of the town’s retailers who have been shortlisted across 17 categories in the prestigious awards organised by Destination Chesterfield.

Last year’s winner of the coveted Retailer of the Year title, Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce, has been shortlisted for the second year running in the Market Trader of the Year category, which it also won last year. Fellow double award winner last year, Adorn Jewellers, which is based in The Shambles, is also hoping to retain its titles of Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year and Excellence in Customer Service in 2016.

As well as the eight returning finalists, 18  retailers have been shortlisted for the first time ever in their Retail Awards categories. The Awards return for the third year running and recognise the very best independent and high street retailers and market traders in Chesterfield. Three businesses have been shortlisted in each category but only one can win.

Organised in association with Chesterfield College, the winners will be announced on Wednesday 25 May by the new Peak FM breakfast duo Stu and Cat at a special award ceremony held at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel.

The breakfast duo commented: “It’s a real honour for us to present the awards. We love the fact that all the shortlisted businesses have been nominated by shoppers. We’re both really new to the area and are working and living in Chesterfield so have seen for ourselves what a great retail scene the town has and a supportive community behind it.”

The winners of each category will also fight it out for the prestigious Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber. A further two award winners will also be announced at the ceremony; winners of The Pavements Shopping Centre and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre Retailer of the Year Awards.

Discover the full list of finalists for the Chesterfield Retail Awards 2016

Chesterfield Retail Awards Ceremony

 

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

Celebrating years of service at Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Almost 650 years of service with the NHS has been clocked up by staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The trust held its first celebratory event last month to recognise colleagues who have been employed by the NHS for 20, 30 and 40 years.

Joyce Allen, Senior II Physiotherapist and Stephen Bacon, Mechanical Team Leader both celebrated four decades of service.

Stephen Bacon has the distinction of being the longest-serving person at Chesterfield Royal Hospital; a title he’s likely to hold for some time.

Eleven members of staff celebrated 30 years and eleven celebrated 20 years.

Stephen Bacon explains: “I actually started at this site in Calow in 1982, two years before it opened, to work on what was then a new build. I joined the trust in 1975 as the first of a set of apprentices, the current head of facilities, Chris Tann was in the final batch.

“I was a mechanical craftsman at the old Royal, working my way up to Mechanical Maintenance Manager and when I got offered the job of Energy Manager I couldn’t turn it down.

“People often ask me what’s kept me here but in truth I’ve been trying to leave for 30 years but great opportunities keep coming up that I couldn’t turn down. But seriously it’s the people and staff who work here, there are some real characters within the Estates team and I’ve had a very good 40 years here.”

The occasion also marked Interim Chief Executive, Tony Campbell’s first public event. Commending employees during celebrations, Tony said: “This event is for you; it’s a token of thanks for all of the effort and commitment you have shown this hospital and all of those who use and work in it for such an extraordinary length of time.

“To be in the company of 650 years of experience is incredible and it’s at times such as those within which we find ourselves that we need you to bring that level of experience to bear.”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s first long-service celebration took place on Friday 18th March and was organised by the trust’s Voluntary Services Co-Ordinato,r Helen Kirkwood. The full list of those recognised can be seen below.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital long serviceCelebrating 20 years of service:-

Janice Kirk – Patient Services Assistant
Claire Metcalfe – Assistant General Manager
Deborah Crofts – Newborn Hearing Screener
Suzanne Yates – Patient Records Clerk
Mary Fry – Patient Services Assistant
Deborah Farr – Adult Audiology Manager
Sarah Crockett – Theatre Storekeeper
Tina McCall – Hearing Screener
Catherine Smith – Senior Physiotherapist
Karen Gibbons – Assistant Practitioner
Vicky Glossop – Support Worker

 

Celebrating 30 years of service:-

Kirsten Grafton – Microbiology Assistant
Denise Penney – Sister
Sally Burr – Staff Nurse
Sarah Adams – Nurse Practitioner
Michael Boulton – Pathology Van Driver
Patricia Eland – Senior Midwifery Sister
Yvonne Hawkins – Midwife
Wendy Hill – Management Accountant
Nicky Payne – Senior Staff Nurse
Florence Powell – Sister
Philip Raynor – Consultant Anaesthetist

 

Celebrating 40 years of service:-

Joyce Allen – Senior II Physiotherapist
Stephen Bacon – Mechanical Team Leader

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Hosts for Chesterfield Retail Awards 2016 Announced

Peak FM breakfast show presenters, Stu Haycock and Catherine Kilvington have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

The  pair will host the glittering award ceremony, which will honour the town’s very best jewellers, independent stores, food and drink retailers, and multiple retailers at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel on Wednesday 25th May 2016.

The awards are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with the Chesterfield College Group.

More than 170 businesses have been nominated across 14 award categories, and the shortlist will be announced by the pair on the Peak FM Breakfast Show on Wednesday 20th April 2016.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “We’re delighted Stu and Cat have agreed to host the awards ceremony and I’m sure they will make the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards ceremony a memorable event.”

For more information about the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards or follow on Twitter using the hashtag #retailawards16.

peak fm

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Historic Hotel in Chesterfield Sold

Ringwood Hall Hotel, a 19th century grade 11 listed Georgian Manor House in Brimington, Chesterfield is now under new ownership.

The management team and the day to day operations under Rona Davies, General Manager for 18 years, will remain the same, providing and maintaining outstanding facilities and service to all Ringwood Hall Hotel`s customers.

The property has undergone significant refurbishment over the last 20 years under the stewardship of Lyric Hotels Ltd, and now provides 74 bedrooms, bar facilities, conference and banqueting suites, as well as the onsite Parklands Health & Fitness Club, with indoor pool, sauna, steamroom and well equipped gymnasium.

David Seton, owner of Lyric Hotels, took over Ringwood in 1999 when it was a partly derelict 21 bedroom hotel. Since then some £4.5m has been invested in the venue and the workforce has increased from 16 to 180.

Seton added “ You never actually own a place like Ringwood, you just look after it until the next person comes along. It has been an honour to have been custodian of Ringwood Hall for such a short time in its history, and I`m delighted to be leaving the hotel in a much better state than we found it in.

Rona Davies commented “Following the retirement of the previous owners, the whole team at Ringwood are looking forward to a new era in the hotel`s history, and I am delighted to reassure our customers that its business as usual going forward.”

Ringwood Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

Free workshop for first-time employers

Entrepreneurs in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire who are ready to grow their business are invited to attend a free workshop for advice on first-time employment.

The free workshop – Becoming An Employer For The First Time – is organised by Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project and is being delivered by BRM Solicitors.

The workshop is being held on Thursday 5 May at BRM Solicitors based on Saltergate in Chesterfield. The free workshop is one of a number organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield to provide advice and practical help to businesses.

As well as gaining advice on how to find the best candidates, businesses will also learn what to consider when taking on new employees, hiring and recruitment, basic employment law, writing job adverts, holding job interviews and financial considerations when taking on employees.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager explained: “It can be a big step for a business to start employing people as it represents a step change in processes and procedures. The workshop will help employers to show them that they are the ones in control and have nothing to fear.”

The workshop is open for any businesses in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, however there is a maximum of one delegate per organisation as places are limited.

Book a place on the workshop

Business Support - FWD Motion

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New Development at Markham Vale to Create 400 Jobs

Another major deal bringing up to 400 new jobs at Derbyshire County Council’s flagship regeneration site has been signed with car industry giants Ferdinand Bilstein UK.

Ferdinand Bilstein UK will be moving its current distribution operations in Kent and Pontefract to a new purpose-built distribution centre to benefit from better transport links to the site located just off junction 29A of the M1.

Established in Germany in 1844, the company operates worldwide producing, marketing and distributing car parts for a range of vehicle makes and models including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Land Rover and Ford.

Paul Dodgson, Operations Director at Ferdinand Bilstein UK said: “We made the decision to move to Markham Vale as the development offers excellent transport links to the main motorway network, which was a key requirement of ours.

“We also required a bespoke and high-quality building to fit with the company brand and ethos, and we were confident Henry Boot Developments and Derbyshire County Council could deliver this.

“Our relocation to Markham Vale was mainly due to how close we can be to some of our biggest UK customers. We are excited to become a part of this high-profile development.”

The building of the firm’s new 224,966 square feet distribution centre is set to be completed by December this year creating around 150 jobs initially and a further 250 to follow.

Leader of Derbyshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget Councillor Anne Western said: “This is more fantastic news for Markham especially following the announcement of Great Bear Distribution’s move to the site, which is also set to create up to 400 new jobs.

“We’re committed to building a strong economy in Derbyshire and Ferdinand Bilstein UK’s move to Markham will bring more business into the county.

“Markham is one of the jewels in our crown and we’re proud of its success and how it continues to grow.”

The firm’s new base will be built by the county council’s private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments said: “We are extremely pleased that a deal has been agreed with Ferdinand Bilstein UK. The company has a fantastic track record and is a world leader in the automotive parts industry.

“We will be developing a high specification, bespoke distribution centre to fit with the company’s profile.

“This is the first deal we have agreed on Markham Vale North, which has a further 55 acres of land available for immediate development. We also have remaining plots available on the West and East sites.”

A series of drop-in events have been organised to update residents on the latest developments at Markham Vale – especially on the north site – which is currently being developed and where the new distribution operation for Ferdinand Bilstein UK will be.

Residents will be able to speak to representatives from the firm about the jobs available and staff from the county council and from Henry Boot will also be on hand at the events being held on:

  • Wednesday 13 April, 3pm-7pm at the Albert Inn, Woodthorpe Road, Woodthorpe
  • Wednesday 20 April, 3pm-7pm at Duckmanton Methodist Church, Duckmanton Road, Duckmanton
  • Wednesday 27 April, 1.30pm-5.30pm at Poolsbrook Miners Welfare, Cottage Close, Poolsbrook

Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

New funding to help young people into work

Young people in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being offered a boost to their employability skills and being helped onto a fulfilling career path thanks to new funding.

A total of four projects have received a total of £141,000 after successfully bidding from the Careers and Enterprise Fund, which is administered through the Government–backed Careers and Enterprise Company and works to build closer links between schools and employers.

The projects will help schools and students and work alongside the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – the private-sector led group of businesses, local authorities, skills and training providers, community and social groups, which promotes economic growth across the two counties.

 

The two projects running in Chesterfield include:

 
*IntoUniversity Careers Programmes – This will develop students’ awareness of high quality careers through contact with employers; increasing their knowledge of the career paths and opportunities available to them through contact with employers on Business in FOCUS days, Careers in FOCUS programmes, the Corporate Mentoring scheme, and through internships and work experience. It is aimed at students in the D2N2 area and the Solent, Oxfordshire, Leeds City Region, Coast to Capital, the West of England and London areas.

 

*Founders4Schools – This nationwide scheme aims to provide teacher training workshops to teachers of Year 9 and 10 students in all schools across the LEP’s area; to help increase the number of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) graduates, to close the skills gap. Workshops will provide materials and deliver training to three teachers per school, on how to get local business leaders to visit the teacher’s classroom as role models to help bring subjects to life.

 

Ian Greenaway, Employability champion for D2N2’s Skills and Employment Commission, said: “It’s great news that D2N2 area schools will benefit from Careers and Enterprise Company support around careers, enterprise and employability.

“It means young people across the D2N2 area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire getting help on developing skills, gaining knowledge and becoming ‘work ready’ at the beginning of their careers. D2N2 and its stakeholders will work with the organisations offering employability training to schools, to provide a joined up solution.”

Mike Hughes, Executive Director at Twenty Twenty, added: “Too many 15 to 18-year-olds in the D2N2 area are struggling to thrive in mainstream education, feel stranded without the qualifications for college or the skills and experience employers require, and don’t know what to do next.

“Our motto is that all young people are resources to be developed not problems to be solved. So we’re really looking forward to working closely with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, along with the Enterprise Adviser Network, to target support where it’s needed most and make a measurable difference.

Claudia Harris, Chief Executive of the Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “We were delighted to award funding to Think Forward, TwentyTwenty, Into University Careers, and Founders4Schools, as part of our Careers & Enterprise Investment Fund.”

She added: “We believe these outstanding programmes will use our funding to help ensure every young person across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can transition successfully from education to work.”

The D2N2 LEP is already working with the Careers & Enterprise Company on a £300,000 Enterprise Adviser Network project to match up to 80 schools across its area with a volunteer business advisor in order to champion employability and careers at schools.

For more information about the Careers & Enterprise Company visit www.careersandenterprise.co.uk

To learn more about D2N2’s work on skills see its website at www.d2n2lep.org/skills

Learning in Chesterfield - Parkside School

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield