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Dragons await your TV pitch
Last year’s BBC TV series Dragons’ Denattracted more viewers than ever before. New dragon Hilary Devey firmly established her place amongst the revered business leaders. Now, the Den is ready to open once again.
new deal that already guarantees half the turnover they achieved last year. Previous success stories in the Den include single mum, Kirsty Henshaw. In 2010 she convinced Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones to invest £65,000 in her healthy desserts. She told the BBC that since her dragons came onboard, her produce is now stocked in 665 stores nationwide, and she has achieved nearly £700,000 worth of sales. 2012 will see her new product range hit the shelves, and she is in talks to launch in America.
Series 9 saw 16 entrepreneurs accept an offer of investment from the business-savvy multi-millionaires. Hilary Devey spotted the opportunity in Liz and Alan Colleran’s memory foam sleeping bag. Impressed with their invention, she invested the £80,000 they needed to improve manufacture. Now they say their influential dragon has helped them to pursue new markets, including arranging a meeting with Richard Branson to pitch their product to his airline. They’ve also secured a major
The rules are simple: Entrepreneurs ask for a cash investment in return for equity in their business. They must get at least the amount they ask for or they will walk away with nothing. The dragons are prepared to be pitched any kind of business, but they must be convinced that it requires investment and will make money. Businesses and products that have previously gained financial backing in the den have demonstrated one or more of the following: unique selling point, scalability, clear route to market and a planned exit strategy.
If you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention, the BBC would like to hear from you. The BBC will be auditioning throughout the coming months. To obtain an application form, please send an e-mail to
dragonsden@bbc.co.uk or visit
www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden
Stobart property plans are backed
Stobart Group shareholders have given overwhelming backing to a controversial £101m property portfolio buy-out. The 18 properties in the portfolio of WA Developments and subsidiary WADI Developments are to be acquired for £12.35m plus £88.85m in debt. The deal had attracted controversy because the portfolio was owned by Stobart chief executive Andrew Tinkler and chief operating officer William Stobart.
The buy-back of the so-called “Moneypenny” portfolio is intended to strengthen and diversify the logistics’ giants property portfolio.
Last month it emerged that Eddie Stobart had bought a 10-year-old, 145,000 sq ft distribution facility at Appleton, Warrington in a deal rumoured to be worth close to £3m.
www.fork-truck.org.uk
12 ShD March 2012
www.PressOnShD.com
FLTA rewards excellence
Double winner Combilift led the way as the Fork Lift Truck Association presented recently its 18th annual Awards for Excellence.
In front of a sell-out audience, the Irish manufacturer collected the 'Victor Ludorum' award, a unique, gold-plated 'Archie' statuette created to mark the Association’s 40th year.
The hallmarked trophy, presented for the pioneering 2008 Combi-CB multidirectional truck, marked Combilift’s second success of the night at the Olympic-themed ceremony, co- presented by athletics legend Sally Gunnell, OBE. Earlier, its Combi-RT has scooped the Award for Innovation. Other big winners on the night included Linde’s 394 displacement pump (Environment), Ravas' M-Forks (Safety) and JCB’s Changezee teletruk carriage (Ergonomics), each receiving a solid bronze statuette following an open vote through the FLTA website.
Meanwhile, individual awards were presented to Daniel McKinnon of Global
Materials Handling Ltd (Apprentice of the Year), Clive Mansfield of EnerSys (Employee of the Year), and Jim Cameron of FB Chain (Services to Industry) – designer of the FB chain wear gauge. McCain Foods was named Safe Site for its extensive use of Virtual Risk Manager to assess operators and focus training, and WB Powersource was crowned Supplier of the Year.
“Awards 2012 has been another resounding success,” said FLTA chairman Martyn Fletcher. “This event continues to celebrate all that is good in the materials handling industry and, for more than 18 years, we have encouraged and acknowledged the progress that has been made.
“While Combilift grabbed the headlines this evening, each of our ‘Pick of the Year’ champions and finalists represents a significant advance in ensuring materials are moved more safely, more efficiently and with less impact on the environment.”
www.fork-truck.org.uk
Jungheinrich’s new director
Jungheinrich UK Ltd has announced that Steve Richmond has been promoted to the position of director of the company’s Systems and Projects Division. The Systems & Projects Division of Jungheinrich UK is a highly specialised operation offering all aspects of design, feasibility studies and implementation of total materials handling solutions, from manual, through semi-automated to fully automated integrated solutions. A significant proportion of the group’s turnover is generated from multi-product projects and systems integration. “We find that our clients are increasingly looking for a ‘single source’ supplier of materials handling equipment and, with our extensive product range, Jungheinrich is able to the broadest range of handling solutions, whether they be manual, semi automated or fully automated systems.” says Steve Richmond.
www.jungheinrich.co.uk
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