BUSINESS REPORT


BUSINESS REPORT


A team of award-winning workshop designers has created a new state-of-the-art workshop facility for one of the world’s leading motorsport companies. Prodrive’s requirement for a modern


and efficient motorsport ‘centre of excellence’ resulted in their decision to work with British manufacturer Dura to design and supply their complete system of modular workshop furniture. Dura’s design-led approach


NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER keeps its members up to date with all the latest business news. Whether it’s through the pages of this magazine, via our website or by regular email updates, we will always endeavour to keep you in the picture and informed


LATEST QES RESULTS SHOW UNCERTAINTY


Northamptonshire’s workforce is continuing to grow, according to the results of Northamptonshire Chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES). Nearly a quarter of respondents reported


DURA LENDS EXPERTISE TO MOTORSPORT FACILITY


‘WE ARE


flexibility as well as take into account an element of ‘future-proofing’. The workshop is the hub of the motorsport operation and the open-plan design brings together the car assembly process, including subassembly, livery and final assembly, under one roof. Dura managing director


VERY PROUD TO HAVE


enabled both teams to form a close working relationship, a key benefit during the planning stages for their clients. Dura delivered a fully-integrated solution


WORKED ON THIS PROJECT’


throughout the open-plan workshop that covers 50,000 sq ft. Finished in their client’s corporate colours, the range of furniture and equipment was selected to optimise productivity and


Dominic Wishlade said: “Prodrive’s reputation and authority in the motorsport industry goes before it, we are very proud to have worked with them on this project and


ongoing into the future.” Dura are the original innovators of


the integrated workshop furniture system and have unrivalled experience and


expertise in delivering flexible and design-led solutions tailored to their clients’ businesses.


For further information visit www.dura.co.uk ROYAL GUEST FOR CENTENARY CELEBRATION


SATRA formally recognised its centenary with a visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester and the unveiling of a specially commissioned external sculpture designed to represent 100 years of research and testing. After being welcomed by SATRA’s chairman, Stephen Etheridge, His


Royal Highness marked the occasion with a speech to staff and 100 guests before meeting and discussing the work with the artist, Martyn Steele. The Royal party along with local dignitaries and guests were hosted on a


tour of SATRA’s testing laboratories including demonstrations of the SATRA machines and test methods that play a role in helping manufacturers to make their products safer, better performing and more sustainable. The tour was followed by a lunch where Mr Etheridge welcomed His Royal


Highness and guests and spoke about SATRA's proud history from the original founders and their vision to the scientists, engineers, technologists and support staff that make SATRA the respected name it is today. SATRA’s chief executive, Austin Simmons, said: “Today marks a truly momentous occasion. SATRA was created 100 years ago by forward


thinking visionaries who realised that the footwear industry needed a strong technical resource to enable it to develop new materials and manufacturing techniques. “We have always been immensely proud of the intellectual prowess of


our people, without whom SATRA would not have been able to make the contribution it has to industry over the last 100 years.”


AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 inbusiness 5


To read the full report visit www.northants- chamber.co.uk/representation/quarterly- economic-surveys


an increase in their workforce for Q2 of 2019 and more than a quarter said they expect to recruit in Q3. Nearly half of firms also anticipate their turnover will increase over the next 12 months. However, fewer respondents experienced an increase in domestic sales and overseas sales took a dramatic hit with the net balance of those surveyed recording an increase in sales falling from 15% in Q1 to two per cent in Q2. Northamptonshire Chamber chief


executive Paul Griffiths said: “A large proportion of the businesses surveyed, which together represent 179,000 employees across our county, reported that Brexit remains on their mind and the crippling uncertainty is affecting their operations in the county or their supply chain. The Government needs to recognise that businesses need support and encouragement in these turbulent times.” Northamptonshire Chamber’s QES is part


of the biggest and most representative survey of its kind in the UK. QES data is used by the Bank of England to inform interest rate decisions, by the Treasury to help formulate economic policy and by international finance institutions to assess the UK’s economy.


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