Made in Chesterfield

New Destination Chesterfield Board Member Appointed for Manufacturing Sector

Ivan Fomin, Managing Director of the leading supplier of centrifuges to the water and food industries, MSE Hiller, is the newest addition to the Destination Chesterfield board.

Ivan replaces James Brand of United Cast Bar as the board member responsible for manufacturing and engineering in the Borough. James has stepped down from the board due to increasing work commitments however will continue in his role as the chair of the popular Manufacturing Forum.

Ivan and the company have taken an active role in manufacturing initiatives organised by Destination Chesterfield, including last year’s successful Made in Chesterfield Week where schools were invited to tour the firm’s Markham Vale £3million purpose-built premises.

Ivan brings more than 35 years’ experience to his board member role.  Delighted to join the board, he said: “Destination Chesterfield is a conduit for joining together the many companies and organisations in Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering sector, be they employers, training providers, or young people still at school and looking for direction. It is by joining these groups together successfully that we can help further improve the manufacturing sector in the town.”

He is particularly passionate about apprenticeships within the sector, explaining: “For me manufacturing is the lifeblood of the economy, feeding other sectors such as retail and leisure. It is vitally important that we maintain Chesterfield’s manufacturing tradition and capability, and that will be my broad focus in my role on the Destination Chesterfield Board.

“I have been an employer in Chesterfield for 25 years and I have always made a point of offering apprenticeships. To this day many of my early apprentices are still working with me after two decades.”

MSE Hiller, which has been based in Chesterfield since 2001, supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries throughout the UK. Currently no other company offers the service and products which they do and, as a result, is very much in demand.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ivan to the board although sad that James Brand has left. We thank him for all he has done and will continue to do as both a Chesterfield Champion and a thriving manufacturing business in the town.

“MSE Hiller is a great example of a local company that is establishing the town as an engineering specialist. Ivan brings much personal experience in the sector as both an employee and an employer and is very clear about how he wants it and Chesterfield to develop. We are all very much looking forward to working with him.”

Ivan Fomin joins the existing members of the Board, which include:

Destination Chesterfield is helping to improve the economic prosperity of the town through a campaign to promote Chesterfield.  This approach to promoting the town sees the local business community playing a central role in its success by leading an independent board of Directors for Destination Chesterfield, and businesses pledging their support to become Chesterfield Champions.

MSE Hiller will be taking part in Made in Chesterfield throughout November 2015. Made in Chesterfield is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield and is designed to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s thriving manufacturing sector and its associated industries to students, raising awareness of the employment opportunities within it as well as the number of varied and exciting roles.

To find out more about Destination Chesterfield visit www.chesterfield.co.uk. Or if you are interested in becoming involved in Made in Chesterfield, please contact Dom Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk

Ivan Fomin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Made in Chesterfield

2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards launched – Vote now for your favourite retailer

The town’s popular Retail Awards have returned for the second year running. Shoppers are now being called on to nominate their favourite shops and stores across 14 categories.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, the Awards, which are sponsored by Learning Unlimited – part of Chesterfield College Group, recognise the very best retailers in the town.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “The success of the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards is once again very much in the hands of the general public. They need to nominate in order for retailers to be shortlisted.

“Chesterfield is envied nationally for its retail success. While other town and city centres are struggling, ours is thriving and it’s no wonder seeing the passion, innovation and customer service so many of the town’s retailers are delivering on a daily basis. These awards recognise this.”

This year, retailers can support their call for nominations by submitting a short 20 second video explaining why shoppers should nominate their business. Videos should be emailed to info@chesterfield.co.uk and will appear on Destination Chesterfield’s website, Facebook page and Twitter.

Last year more than 1000 nominations were received from shoppers culminating in 11 businesses being named the very best in the town. Pelican Cycles, based on Old Road in Brampton, scooped awards across four categories, including the coveted Retailer of the Year award.

The cycle shop was opened in 2012 by owner and keen cyclist Neil Armitage. The business achieved a six figure turnover in year one with turnover growing by more than 50% in its second year of trading. On winning the awards Neil said: “We pride ourselves on offering a friendly and personal service. We have created a welcoming informal atmosphere in the shop with the use of touches like an espresso machine and screen showing Tour De France highlights. Because of these touches and our approach to customer service we have developed a loyal repeat customer base.”

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College explained: “Part of the Chesterfield College Group, Learning Unlimited is delighted to be sponsoring the Chesterfield Retail Awards this year. As a rapidly-growing apprenticeships and training provider, at the core of what we do is both providing people with the skills necessary to succeed in industry and helping businesses prosper and grow as a result of their workforce.

“We work with many local retailers already and the apprenticeships that we offer in relation to retail are growing increasingly popular, such as customer service and sales apprenticeships so we were delighted to get involved with such a key retail awards ceremony in Chesterfield. We hope that we continue to work successfully with more and more local retailers in regard to their staffing and training needs as we look to help grow this area’s economy, giving the community a real boost.”

Nominations open on Tuesday 17th March and close at Midnight on the 6th April 2015 and postcards and posters are being distributed around the town to encourage people to vote online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards. 

Everyone that nominates will be entered into a prize draw to win a three-course meal with wine for two at the Old Post Restaurant, winner of Restaurant of the Year at the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards 2014.

Following the nomination process a shortlist of retailers will be selected who will then be mystery shopped and scored to decide the winner in each of the categories.  The winners will be announced at an award ceremony held later this year in June.

The 14 categories open for nominations in the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards include:

  • Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
  • Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year
  • Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Pavements Shopping Centre
  • Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year
  • Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year
  • Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by BHP Accountants
  • Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year
  • Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)
  • Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
  • National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Vicar Lane
  • Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Learning Unlimited
  • Market Hall Business of the Year – Sponsored by Kier
  • Best New Store (Opened 2014/2015) – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors

There is also an additional Retailer of the Year award, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber, which will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Other supporters of the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards include E-business works and the Derbyshire Times.

There are limited sponsorship opportunities still available if you are interested in becoming involved please contact Dom Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Borough Council branding changed for first time in 40 years

New branding is being introduced to help Chesterfield Borough Council improve customer service, generate more income and save on future design costs.

The council’s branding was originally created 40 years ago and so was not designed with modern publishing needs in mind, particularly for websites or social media.

The new visual identity, produced by Chesterfield-based company Crush Design, continues to feature the town’s famous Crooked Spire and is designed to help attract more people to use services that generate income, such as the council’s leisure centres.

To help the council save money in the future templates are also being produced to enable council staff to create posters or leaflets for events they are running without having the cost of designing each one individually.

Implementation of the branding will be phased in so that items are only replaced when they reach the end of their working life to prevent additional costs. Many uses of the branding can be changed without any cost, such as social media or when producing future leaflets or posters.

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “At the moment we provide around 60 services. Different teams in the council tell the public about them in different ways and using different visual styles.

“So while they might know we are responsible for rubbish collection they might not know we run the Pomegranate Theatre and Winding Wheel or the parks. Instead they often mistakenly think we are responsible for roads, schools or social care when those are services run by Derbyshire County Council.

“By simplifying the messages we give out and presenting them in a more modern and consistent way people will be able to easily identify what services are run by Chesterfield Borough Council and how to contact us about them.”

A separate organisation, Destination Chesterfield, which is a partnership between private businesses and the public sector, is responsible for marketing Chesterfield as a place to invest in and visit.

In recent years Destination Chesterfield has created an identity to promote Chesterfield which has been used at key gateways to the town, on tourism promotional materials and to promote economic development and regeneration projects.

The council branding has not been changed for 40 years and only applies to services provided by Chesterfield Borough Council. The new branding will not replace any of the work done by Destination Chesterfield to promote Chesterfield.

The council has approved the use of the new branding from late January.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Local manufacturer breaks another world record

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source:United Cast Bar

Posted in Business, Made in Chesterfield

Young People Hail Inaugural Made in Chesterfield Week a Success

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Source:Destination Chesterfield

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

The town ‘steels’ itself for Made in Chesterfield Week

Chesterfield Champion, Franke Sissons Ltd is kicking off an entire week dedicated to celebrating the town’s manufacturing heritage by unveiling a brand new sculpture which has been designed and made by the firm’s apprentices and students from Parkside School.

The unveiling of the sculpture is the start of a series of Made in Chesterfield events, organised by Destination Chesterfield and taking place from 10 – 14 November. The week will celebrate the town’s manufacturing heritage as well as raise awareness of the wealth of job and career opportunities in the sector amongst young people and their teachers.

The idea of the sculpture was conceived by Franke Sissons Ltd to recognise the town’s manufacturing heritage and also the company’s 230th Anniversary which it will celebrate during Made in Chesterfield Week.

The sculpture will be sighted outside the Coach Station in The Pocket Park, a community collaboration being delivered by Chesterfield and District Civic Society to mark their 50th Anniversary, in association with Franke Sissons Ltd and Chesterfield Borough Council. As well as the sculpture, The Pocket Park will feature a number of Norway Maple Trees supplied by N T Killingley Ltd to enhance Chesterfield’s town centre.

Bryan Thompson, Chairman of the Chesterfield and District Civic Society said: “This is a wonderful example of the private and public sectors, a school, and a community interest group happily working together to make the town a more attractive place for all, which will make a difference both now and for future generations. We would like to see more well-sited Pocket Parks, to help reinvigorate a sense of identity both within neighbourhoods and across the Borough.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “Chesterfield Coach Station is the first view that many visitors have when they arrive into the town and I’m sure this new sculpture will help welcome them to the town. As a mechanical engineer, I’m proud to have played a small part in the construction of this artwork.

“I’m also proud of the fact that the sculpture gave opportunities to Chesterfield apprentices and schoolchildren to put their design and manufacturing skills into practice, they will be in a place where we can all admire them.”

Franke Sissons’ design apprentice worked with pupils from Parkside School to develop the design for the sculpture. It comprises three cube frames within each other, features icons that the students felt were representative of Chesterfield today; Nature, Manufacturing, and Community. It will sit outside Chesterfield Coach Station and will stand 1.3m high and 1.5m wide.

Andy Dukelow, Managing Director of Franke Sissons Ltd said: “Our business is rooted in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas. We’re thrilled to be kicking off Made in Chesterfield Week with this magnificent sculpture. I am very proud of what Franke’s apprentices have accomplished with the students of Parkside School. The statue has been a real team effort and one I cannot wait to see in situ.

“Young people play an important role in Chesterfield’s manufacturing sector and I am keen to see more consider a career within it. Having started my career as an apprentice myself with the company 33 years ago, I know first-hand that the sky really is the limit where career progression is concerned.”

Made in Chesterfield Week is taking place between 10 – 14th November and will feature a series of events.  Coordinated by Destination Chesterfield, in partnership with a steering group from Natwest, United Cast Bars, Chesterfield College, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Positive 4 Young People, Placing Futures , Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council, the festival is designed to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s thriving manufacturing sector and its associated industries to students, raising awareness of the employment opportunities within it as well as the number of varied and exciting roles.

A number of Chesterfield companies have signed up to run activities for schools. Events taking place during Made in Chesterfield Week (10-14 November) involving students and teachers from schools throughout north east Derbyshire, include workshops with StraightCurves Crafts and NLT Training, factory tours at MSE Hiller, Franke Sissons Ltd and United Cast Bar.

Software company Magnifica Technologies Ltd and Kingfield Electronics, are also hosting a competition for schools via the social media network Twitter. Using software built by bespoke technology specialists Magnifica, a Quadcopter (drone) will be controlled using data collected from Twitter at Kingfield Electronics’ new manufacturing facility on Sheepbridge Industrial Estate.

Local camping brand Field Candy will also be challenging students to come up with unique artwork for a new designer tent.

The activities are designed to embrace the modern face of the town’s thriving manufacturing sector as well as looking at the manufacturing practices of a bygone age.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “Chesterfield has such a rich heritage in manufacturing and we have a thriving sector with a number of companies doing business on a global scale. Made in Chesterfield Week is a great celebration of this heritage and the sector. The different events that are happening throughout the week will highlight the career opportunities and open young people’s eyes to a career in manufacturing within the town.”

To find out more information about Made in Chesterfield Week, visit:www.chesterfield.co.uk/made 

Made in Chesterfield Franke Sissons Unveiling

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Engineering showcase on way for Made in Chesterfield Week

A unique travelling showcase for advanced engineering will roll into the Proact Stadium for Made in Chesterfield week on Thursday 13 November.

Aspiring young engineers from north east Derbyshire’s primary and secondary schools will get hands-on experience of real cutting-edge technologies when they visit the customised Mantra (Manufacturing Transporter) trailer throughout the day.

Mantra is a 14m HGV trailer, packed with state of the art engineering technology.

It has been developed by The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, a world-class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

Mantra is visiting the town thanks to the support of Sheffield-based commercial insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher, which has more than 70 branches around the UK dedicated to providing local service and support to businesses, backed up by national industry expertise.

Steve Lunn, Sheffield branch manager for Arthur J. Gallagher, said: “We’re pleased to be supporting the first ever Made in Chesterfield week and giving young people in the town the opportunity to see and experience the very latest manufacturing technology. We are committed to supporting manufacturing and engineering businesses and hope that, through our involvement, we are helping to inspire the next generation of skilled manufacturers.”

Having Mantra in Chesterfield during the festival means young people can experience amazing manufacturing technologies, like a fully operational Mori Seiki mill-turn machine; video screens with customisable content; and a 3-D virtual reality centre where students can dismantle a virtual jet engine, on their doorstep.

Made in Chesterfield Week is taking place between 10 – 14 November and Mantra’s appearance at the Proact is just one of a series of  high profile events designed to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s thriving manufacturing sector and its associated industries to students.

Coordinated by Destination Chesterfield, the festival will raise awareness of the employment opportunities as well as the number of varied and exciting roles within the sector amongst young people.

Dominic Stevens Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “Mantra encapsulates just how exciting the manufacturing sector can be and I’m delighted that we are able to welcome it to Chesterfield during the Made festival. It’s a fantastic resource and real learning experience for young people that they will be able to experience on their doorstep.”

As well as Mantra there are a number of other events and activities taking place throughout Made in Chesterfield designed to embrace the modern face of the town’s thriving manufacturing sector as well as looking at the manufacturing practices of a bygone age.

To view a full programme of events and find out more information about Made in Chesterfield Week, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/made

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Made in Chesterfield

Town’s businesses get set for Made in Chesterfield Week

Eight businesses within the town’s manufacturing and engineering sector are being invited to get involved in Destination Chesterfield’s November Round Table event held in conjunction with the Derbyshire Times.

The monthly Round Table discussion is just one of a number of free business events taking place from 10 – 14 November as part of Made in Chesterfield Week which will celebrate the town’s successful manufacturing and engineering sector.

The first of the events begins with the unveiling of a sculpture, celebrating the town’s manufacturing heritage, at Chesterfield Coach Station. Other free events include an interactive session to celebrate National Export Week, organised by UKTI and the Manufacturing Advisory Service. It will provide advice on exporting and case studies from local businesses that are exporting around the world.  More details are below.

The first ever Made in Chesterfield week has been coordinated by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with Natwest, United Cast Bar, Chesterfield College, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Positive 4 Young People, Placing Futures, Derbyshire County Council, and Chesterfield Borough Council.

 

Date Event & Time
10/11/2014 Sculpture Unveiling

Chesterfield Coach Station

12.30pm
11/11/2014 Networking at Techman Engineering Ltd

Techman Engineering Ltd

8.00am

 
Made in Chesterfield Quiz

Eyre Chapel

7.30pm

 
12/11/2014 Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Manufacturing Forum (Event Sold Out)

United Cast Bar

12.00pm-2.30pm

 
13/11/2014 Chesterfield Manufacturing Conference

Proact Stadium

8.00am – 10.00am

 
Derbyshire Times & Destination Chesterfield Roundtable – Manufacturing Special

MSE Hiller

2.30pm

 
14/11/2014 Made in Chesterfield sold around the world

Dunston Innovation Centre

08.30am – 10.00 am

 

 

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “I am delighted that the wider business community has embraced Made in Chesterfield.  The town has a thriving sector with a number of companies doing business on a global scale. Made in Chesterfield Week is a great celebration of this heritage and the sector. We have a varied programme of free events that brings together businesses, schools and colleges and will highlight the opportunities for them to work together and secure the future of the sector.”

To get involved with the November Round Table, book a place or attend any of the events, please contact Dom Stevens at Destination Chesterfield on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk with the event title in the subject line.

To view a full programme of events and find out more information about Made in Chesterfield Week, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/made

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Made in Chesterfield

Local magazines get national recognition

Staff at Heron Publications are celebrating after being presented with a second successive accolade in the national Magazine Publishers’ Awards.

The company responsible for local titles including ‘Twist’, ‘Dronfield Eye’ and ‘Wings’ finished runner-up in the keenly contested ‘Best Magazine Editorial’ category. Director Mike Firth received the award at a glitzy presentation evening staged at the Heart of The Midlands Conference Centre, Warwickshire.

Hundreds of publications from dozens of companies featured at the annual conference and awards night and the ‘Best Magazine Editorial’ class was the most fiercely contested category. Ten magazines were on the shortlist.

A delighted Mike said: “We were thrilled to receive a similar accolade a year ago for the excellent quality of our front pages, but this particular category saw judges run the rule over the standard of editorial throughout our magazines.

“The number of entries overall had increased by more than 200% this year and the awards night featured many excellent publications belonging to magazine owners throughout Britain.

“There were even entries from magazines in Spain and Australia, so to be presented with the runner-up ‘Highly Commended’ trophy was indeed an achievement.”

Mike added: “Heron Publications – an original Chesterfield Champion – prides itself on offering readers a variety of interesting news and feature articles to enjoy each month, accompanied by the brightest local photographs.

“We are often told by readers and advertisers just how much they appreciate our magazine being around. We know people enjoy reading it, but it is very nice indeed to be honoured at such a prestigious national industry gathering.

“Although this particular award recognises our magazine’s editorial excellence, it is a reflection of the standards of our publications as a whole.”

Heron Publications is now into its 13th year and carefully distributes 51,000 free-of-charge magazines monthly in North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

 

Photograph: Mike Firth receiving the trophy at the Independent Magazine Publishers’ Awards.

Source:Heron Publications

Posted in Business, Made in Chesterfield

Electronics firm moves into 21st-century building thanks to grant funding

An expanding electronics company is enjoying life in a new premises – and has created new jobs – thanks to grant funding of a quarter of a million pounds from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

Kingfield Electronics, based in Chesterfield, has moved from two separate locations into a large new manufacturing facility that provides an increased range of manufacturing capabilities, and significantly improves its competitiveness within the global electronics manufacturing marketplace.

The £2.5m project was supported by a grant of £250,000 from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which has been awarding RGF grants to business across the region.

The grant has enabled Kingfield Electronics to create 30 new jobs and safeguard a further 20 jobs which may otherwise have been under threat.

Kingfield Electronics’ new 45,000sq ft facility at Carrwood Road is in excess of twice the size of the previous premises, and the company says it provides “a far better platform on which to develop and win new customers.”

The project also includes further investment in new equipment, and the implementation of existing equipment that has been in storage due to a previous lack of space.

Kingfield Electronics started up in 1985 and manufactures products for companies operating in a number of high reliability, high technology areas including: aerospace, defence, process instrumentation, and oil/gas production.

It has grown steadily in recent years, though global competition has become tougher due to increased amounts of manufacturing moving out of the UK to countries offering cheaper labour rates.

Nick Taylor, Managing Director of Kingfield Electronics, said: “There is a constant requirement to offer ongoing performance improvements, cost reductions, and ever-quicker turnaround times.

“This latest investment has involved purchasing and refurbishing our new premises, as well as adding new production equipment, including an additional high-speed robotic assembly line.

“We are still a relatively small company, with no group company or external investors. However, we hope that this expansion – made possible with the grant from the RGF – will enable us to grow and compete more strongly in a global marketplace.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration said: “Chesterfield is on the up – each year we see new businesses relocating to the borough and existing businesses like Kingfield Electronics growing. In great part this is due to our own regeneration team providing expert support for Chesterfield businesses.

“It is great to see businesses growing thanks to the funding they have received from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and as a board member I will continue to work with other members in the partnership to get the best deal for businesses and residents in the region.”

The grant funding has come from the LEP’s “Unlocking Business Investment” programme, which has seen £32m in central Government funding allocated to the Sheffield City Region.

Around £29m of that fund has already been allocated, while £3m is still available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that plan to create sustainable, private sector employment in the Sheffield City Region.

Significant expenditure must have taken place by March next year and the balance of investment must be in place by March 2016.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Sheffield City Region has secured a £320m “growth deal” from the Government, which will create more than 28,000 jobs and training for 40,000 people.

This is the fifth-largest sum to be secured of the 39 LEPs within the country.

For more information on Kingfield Electronics visit the website atwww.kingfield-electronics.co.uk

Information regarding Sheffield City Region’s “growth deal” will appear hereover the coming months.

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in Business, Development, Made in Chesterfield

First event announced for Made in Chesterfield Week

Businesses are being invited to attend Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium this November for a free breakfast seminar on the future of manufacturing.

Hosted by Shorts Chartered Accountants, NatWest and Banner Jones Solicitors, the event takes place on Thursday 13th November from 8.00am and will bring together key speakers from the industry, including David Grey MBE, Group Managing Director of the OSL Group, a manufacturing group with branches throughout the UK.

A number of students interested in a career in the sector have also been invited to attend.

Places are free of charge, but space is limited and early booking is recommended. Email bookings@shorts.uk.com now for more information.

This seminar is the first to be promoted as part of Made in Chesterfield week; a series of events taking place between 10 – 14 November.

Coordinated by Destination Chesterfield, the festival is designed to raise the profile of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s thriving manufacturing sector and associated industries, and to make young people aware of the employment opportunities available, as well as the number of varied and exciting roles.

So far 10 Chesterfield companies have signed up to run activities for schools, including hosting factory tours for teachers and students, presenting in schools, and running masterclasses and competitions. Destination Chesterfield is currently working with Derbyshire Education Business Partnership to match up schools from the area with businesses.

The activities are designed to embrace the modern face of the town’s thriving manufacturing sector as well as looking at the manufacturing practices of a bygone age.

Two of the companies that have signed up, Magnifica Technologies Ltd and Kingfield Electronics, are hosting a competition for schools via the social media network Twitter. Using software built by bespoke technology specialists Magnifica, a Quadcopter (drone) will be controlled using data collected from Twitter at Kingfield Electronics’ new manufacturing facility on Sheepbridge Industrial Estate.

From the modern face of the sector to embracing Chesterfield’s manufacturing heritage, StraightCurves Crafts will be working with children to recreate Victorian clay tiles using traditional design methods as well as teaching weaving.

Local camping brand FieldCandy will also be challenging students to come up with unique artwork for a new designer tent.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Chesterfield has a thriving manufacturing sector which has survived for generations and is an important part of the town’s future. Made in Chesterfield Week is designed to showcase this sector and the companies and jobs within it to young people and show them that an exciting and worthwhile career is ready and waiting for them on their doorstep.

“Companies in the sector are telling us they have jobs and apprenticeships ready and waiting to be filled. This is an excellent opportunity for every school involved to make young people aware of a career that they may not have considered and for companies to potentially secure future talent for their organisation.”

There are still opportunities for Chesterfield businesses to get involved in Made in Chesterfield week – either to run a manufacturing seminar or workshop or to work with schools to promote the opportunities that are available in the town and celebrate everything that is made in Chesterfield.

If you’d like to take part please contact dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk for more information.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Made in Chesterfield