Business News Flood-hit engineers calls for action By Jessica Brookes


An engineering firm based in Sparkhill say they have suffered £500,000 worth of damage to their products and site as a result of widespread flooding. The flood in late-May, caused by


torrential downpours, was three feet deep across the firm’s site on Pentos Drive and damaged raw material stocks, machinery, structures and crucial paint-making equipment. Indestructible Paint also claims


to have lost 10 per cent in sales, has had to dispose of 22 skips of waste and three tonnes of hazardous material. Brian Norton, managing director


of Indestructible Paint, said: “Our staff have worked incredibly hard to try and keep our supply lines open, but loss of essential raw materials is impossible to replace at short notice. We were still clearing up some areas six weeks later, and some machinery has been scrapped and replaced.” The firm supplies specialist


coatings for aircraft and engines to a host of international clients, and is now facing supply chain difficulties. The company is calling on other


affected businesses, residents and organisations to reach out about their experience of the flooding in the area in order to form a community group to take action.


Charity to host bhangra bash


A dinner and dance to raise funds for blood cancer charity DKMS and awareness of stem cell donation takes place in Birmingham on Saturday, 22 September. Harjap Bhangal, the popular


“immigration guru” on Sky and award-winning journalist and presenter Anila Dhami will host the event. The event, organised by a


group of volunteers from the Midlands, will include performances from bhangra stars from the 80s and 90s including Sardara and Shin DCS and Balwinder Safi, as well as PBN.


For tickets (£30) call 07855 551 730/07866 497 039. Donations can be made on the JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/fundraisi ng/dkmsmidlandshub


18 CHAMBERLINK September 2018 New roles (from left): Mick Laverty, Martin Levermore, Fleur Sexton, Dr Abdullah Shehu and Julia Willoughby New deputies support the region


The West Midlands Lieutenancy has appointed five Deputy Lieutenants to support its forward programme of community activity as part of Her Majesty’s representation in the region. The new Deputy Lieutenants are


Mick Laverty, Martin Levermore, Fleur Sexton, Dr Abdullah Shehu and Julia Willoughby. John Crabtree, the Lord-


Lieutenant of the West Midlands, has increased the number of Deputy Lieutenants to 59 to support the growing population of people across the seven local authorities of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.


The former Birmingham


Chamber president said: “The West Midlands Lieutenancy is the second largest Lieutenancy in England and Wales and I am proud of our reputation for bringing communities together. “The new Deputy Lieutenants


will be part of a strong team that is helping at the grass roots of our community to unearth the outstanding individuals, companies and volunteers that deserve recognition.” Mick Laverty was the CEO of


Advantage West Midlands. He is CEO of ExtraCare Charitable Trust, and is a council member of the University of Birmingham.


Martin Levermore is visiting


professor for health education and life science at Birmingham City University and is chair of Trade and Business Group for Birmingham Commonwealth Association. Fleur Sexton is the managing


director and co-founder of PET-Xi Training in Coventry and is a board member of Coventry & Warwickshire Champions. Dr Abdullah Shehu is the co-


founder and chairman of Coventry Muslim Forum, whose support for the organisation was recognised with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Julia Willoughby is director and


founder of WPR Agency and mentors young people and businesses.


Re-plastered: Brian Norton (left) and Stephen Salter, who is the IP quality, health, safety and environment manager, at Indestructible Paint, in part of their HQ that has been re-plastered


‘We were still clearing up some areas six weeks later, and some machinery has been scrapped and replaced’


The business has also been


liaising with Birmingham City Council, local councillors Lou Robson, Nicky Brennan and local MPs Roger Godsiff and Tim Huxtable, with the goal of raising the profile of the flood risk in


Sparkhill, and pull together stakeholders to take action and control on urban flooding. Brian said: “We are committed to


taking action on flooding that blights this area and are keen to engage in meaningful discussions


with the council, Environmental Agency, residents and other local businesses to reduce the impact that a potential future flood may have. “We absolutely cannot and will


not let this happen to us again, and are determined to make active changes and produce meaningful outcomes.” An enquiry into the response to


the flooding and environmental causes is ongoing.


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