Sector Focus
Deal boosts food manufacturer
An expert in the food and drink manufacturing supply chain is going into the New Year on a stronger footing following its latest acquisition. Derbyshire-based Integrated
Food Projects, which provides independent advice to food and drink businesses including Samworth Brothers and Kerry Foods, has signed a deal to buy engineering consultancy Structural Design Associates. The move is set to play a major
role in growing the business by 40 per cent in 2018 by enabling it to offer a more complete service to food manufacturers. CEO Philip Chatfield said: “We’ve
worked with Structural Design Associates to deliver projects in the past, so we know their level of expertise and standard of work, is high. This is part of our strategy to enable IFP to become self- sufficient in delivering complete facility design.” Keith Williamson, owner of
Structural Design Associates, added: “Everyone at Structural Design Associates is looking forward to working with Integrated Food Projects. “We are confident that we will
be able to further develop the practice to offer existing and new clients a broader scope of quality services.”
JLR powers to world record
Jaguar Land Rover recorded a record year in 2017 – with global sales rising by 6.5 per cent to 621,109. This was despite sales in the UK dipping by 15.8 per cent. Worldwide retail sales for the month of December
were 55,697, up 0.6 per cent, and for the quarter were 154,447 vehicles, up 3.5 per cent.
‘We have once again delivered year-on-year sales increases thanks to a world-class product range’
December retail sales were up in overseas markets
(19 per cent) and in China (12.6 per cent) but down in the UK (15.8 per cent), US (9.2 per cent) and Europe (4.6 per cent), reflecting weaker market conditions in the UK and to a lesser extent the US.
Andy Goss, Jaguar Land Rover group sales
operations director, said: “We have once again delivered year-on-year sales increases thanks to a world-class product range and new models such as the E-Pace and Velar, as well as China-specific models such as the XFL. “But we are facing tough times in key markets such
as the UK where consumer confidence and diesel taxes will hit us.” Jaguar retail sales were 15,079 vehicles in December,
down 7.8 per cent compared to December 2016 as solid sales of the long wheel base Jaguar XFL in China and the introduction of the E-Pace were offset by softer sales of XE and XJ. Land Rover retailed 40,618 vehicles in December
2017, up 4.1 per cent compared to December 2016, led by the introduction of the Range Rover Velar and the sales ramp up of the all new Discovery.
Trakm8 moves to new home Barclays funds
Listed telematics company Trakm8 Holdings plc has announced the relocation of its head office to Coleshill in the West Midlands. Trakm8, which was previously headquartered in
Shaftesbury, Dorset, supplies telematics, vehicle camera and optimisation solutions to the fleet, insurance and automotive sectors. The company’s new head office in Coleshill is also
Trakm8’s manufacturing facility where the group designs and develops its telematics devices, often referred to as ‘black boxes’. The relocation was disclosed in the company’s
interim results statement, whereby the company also announced a 29 per cent increase in its solutions revenues, 17 per cent growth in recurring revenues following a number of new contract wins and extensions including Calor Gas, Iceland Foods, Shell, and Direct Line Group. Trakm8 has cited a number of reasons for the
move including the centralisation its finance function alongside its operational functions, the ease of recruiting staff and the office’s accessibility from the wider country and overseas. Approximately two- thirds of Trakm8’s 232 UK staff are located at the new head office. The company also has offices in Leeds, Livingston, Manchester, Bodmin and Prague. John Watkins, executive chairman at Trakm8, said:
“We believe the strategic decision to relocate our head office to the Midlands will assist us in further accelerating growth.
60 CHAMBERLINK February 2018 On track: John Watkins “The move will streamline many of our operational
processes as our sales and marketing, manufacturing and finance departments will now all operate from one central location. “The Coleshill office’s proximity to Birmingham
Airport and major motorway networks are also majorly beneficial for Trakm8’s business opportunities and its employees with many staff now co-located. “Over the last two years, we have invested hugely
in staff across our sales, marketing and engineering departments and in our experience, the recruitment of the high-calibre staff we seek is much easier in a major conurbation like Birmingham. “We expect that as we grow any expansion of the space requirements will be easier in the Midlands.”
Manufacturing Jaguar E-Pace: Helping sales in China
premises move
A West Midlands manufacturer has purchased new premises following funding from Barclays. Whitehouse Engineering, who
are based on Summer Lane in Birmingham, have purchased the 372 square metre site next door to their current premises. The business, which was
established in 1978, specialises in the cutting and manufacturing of metal based aluminium products and employs 11 people. Malcolm Whitehouse, director at
Whitehouse Engineering, said: “This new site will enable us to bring in new machinery allowing us to expand our current offering to our clients. When the opportunity arose to purchase the neighbouring site, it provided a perfect location and one that would allow us to expand our business more easily.” Inderjeet Seera, business
manager at Barclays, said: “Malcolm and his team have continued to grow the business and I am delighted that we have been able to support them with the purchase of this new commercial site.”
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