News September 2014 SHD BUSINESS NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH CLOSE BROTHERS
Manufacturing businesses back zero-hour contracts
Almost a third (32%) of UK manufacturing firms are in favour of zero-hours contracts despite the widespread controversy surrounding them, a survey has revealed. Of this figure, 32% believe that these contracts would allow them to respond quickly to fluctuating demand for their services, while almost a fifth (19%) believe that it would grant their employees greater flexibility in the workplace.
The figures are taken from
the Close Brothers Business Barometer, a quarterly poll of SME owners and senior management that gauges sentiment on a number of issues that affect their business. Commenting on the findings,
Jeremy Spooner national sales manager of the Materials Handling Division at Close Brothers Asset Finance said: “Zero-hours contracts have been the subject of some debate between employers, employees and the government in recent months and it shows no sign of abating. “According to the Office of National Statistics*, approximately 1.4 million people in the UK are currently employed on contracts with no fixed hours, representing a significant part of the national workforce who are in employment but have no guarantee of a stable income.
“While zero-hours contracts can provide flexibility, they can also make things like budgeting and financial
planning difficult as it’s almost impossible to know how many hours they’ll be working from one month to the next. Employees are often obliged to work the shifts they are offered and some are unable to accept additional work elsewhere without breaking the terms of their contract.” The study also found that almost a fifth of manufacturing businesses currently have staff employed on zero-hours contracts, while a further 15% are planning to implement them in the near future.
Mr Spooner added: “In this evolving economic climate firms are understandably taking steps to adapt and strive for growth and zero-hours contracts provide an opportunity to increase their workforce to meet demand while keeping overheads to a minimum.
“Research from our Business Barometer also found that almost half of businesses plan to recruit new staff in the next 12 months and yet over half still cite cash flow as a major concern for their business, which may explain why many have already implemented these contracts as a way to safeguard their future.” n
www.closeassetfinance.co.uk EXPANSION
AYS delivers international services
UK logistics and road freight specialist, AYS Logistics, has expanded its services in line with customer demand and is now providing international services across the globe. AYS Logistics has launched a new
international shipping service to facilitate the import and export of goods for customers all over the world. The company is now able to manage air, sea and road travel, providing an international network to 220 countries, tailored to suit the speed of transit required and the products involved. The company, which is headquarted in
the West Midlands with its own extensive warehousing facilities, is able to offer international deliveries on a time-critical or standard delivery basis. AYS Logistics is also offering free shipment tracking and informing customers when their package arrives at its destination through text, phone and online notifications. The expansion of services comes as a response to increasing customer demand for international freight services. The company had previously provided international services upon request but commercial director, Duncan Foyle, said it was a logical choice to make this a dedicated service. n
www.ays-logistics.com
10 September 2014
www.shdlogistics.com
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