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Firms reach out with bright ideas to beat the recession ; Plymouth means business. The city is a hive of activity on many and diverse fronts.Here... [Herald, The (Plymouth, England)](Herald, The (Plymouth, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Firms reach out with bright ideas to beat the recession ; Plymouth means business. The city is a hive of activity on many and diverse fronts.Here Herald Business Editor WILLIAM TELFORD looks at more Business Awards contenders INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD DIVERSIFICATION is the lifeblood of business and particularly in the sort of high-tech firms nominated for The Herald's Innovator of the Year award. Whether it is new products or new markets, the firms selected this year are each worthy of succeeding last year's Plymouth Business of the Year, and category sponsor txtNation. Royal William Yard-based design firm Mutant Labs says it is at the "cutting edge" of games, mobile apps and "interactive experiences" with clients across the UK and Europe. Founded by five Plymouth University graduates in 2009, the team has added another two members. "We try to ensure innovation, quality and a fresh approach, from a handheld vegetable/fruit spinner for Riverford, to using a motion and sound detector to get crowds playing games on a giant screen for the Gadget Show," said director Alex Ryley. "We've worked for clients from kids' gaming giant Moshi Monsters, with 65 million users worldwide, to building a loyalty card system for tech start-up Stamp.it." This year the firm released the Half- Inch Heist iPhone game, which has had 150,000 downloads. "We run a research and development program called Free Range Fridays where we explore new technology, concepts and ideas," said Mr Ryley. "We have been working on developing game prototypes for the Leap Motion. It allows users to control their PCs and laptops through gestural control in the air." National Marine Aquarium managing director Dr David Gibson said to make the aquarium financially sustainable it has been developing income streams independent of day visitors. "We aim to raise at least Pounds 1 million per annum from these initiatives by 2016," he said. "In two years we have grown our corporate events business from Pounds 100,000 per annum to Pounds 220,000. "We've also grown our sleep-over business so it contributes over Pounds 20,000 each year, and improved our retail and catering operations so they contribute 30 per cent more profit." He said the Coxside-based NMA has also developed a consultancy arm which secured a contract for the UK's largest privately-owned aquarium. It is also in the final stages of negotiating a contract for a new aquarium in Egypt. "These projects will contribute over Pounds 500,000 per annum to our finances," Dr Gibson said. In partnership with travel company Zambezi Safaris, the NMA will launch eco-holidays for tourists to research whale sharks and turtles in Africa. This year it will also launch the restaurant Rockfish, with famous chef Mitch Tonks. Plessey Semiconductors Ltd makes electronic components at its Roborough plant and this year learned it is to share a Pounds 4.1 million Government grant which could create more than 100 jobs in Plymouth. Plessey was re-launched in January 2010 after a management buy- out with funding through family-owned private equity. "We have long history of innovation, and manufacture our own semi-conductor products," said finance director Chris Bailey. "We are generating about Pounds 10 million of sales per annum, but the future is all about growth from two new areas of innovation, and we expect to be above Pounds 100 million in three years' time." It has been working on an awardwinning sensor since 2011 which can be used in consumer electronics, cars, watches and home health monitoring. But this year it will also be launching smart lighting components and products using high-brightness light emitting diodes (LEDs). MEDIUMSIZED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR MANUFACTURERS dominate the shortlist for medium-sized Business of the Year - but are split between food production and engineering. Crisp maker Burts Chips has seen turnover hit Pounds 13 million during the past year. The firm was founded in 1997 and moved from Kingsbridge to Belliver in 2006 to take advantage of a larger factory. It has seen a 16 per cent increase in turnover and doubled capacity since 2011. It is in the process of installing two new lines, planning to almost double capacity again during the next four to five years. The company has also increased its workforce, employing nearly 90 people now. Burts Chips is also re-branding its packets in a bid to make them stand out even more on supermarket shelves and is planning to launch new flavours - even working with flavorologists at Guinness. A Burts Chips spokesman said: "The company strives to be an active presence within the region, helping to drive employment and the economy in the Plymouth area and encouraging staff to take part in events and charity initiatives." Langage Farm LLP is the only selfsufficient UK dairy with a working farm, production facility and anaerobic digester plant all on the same site. The Pounds 4 million digester processed 12,000 tonnes of food waste in its first year - producing enough electricity to power 175 million light bulbs. The family-run business, based at Smithaleigh, started producing Devonshire clotted cream in 1980 and has grown to employ 55 people. During the past five years it has doubled turnover and increased the workforce by 50 per cent. "We always look to employ people from the local community," a spokesman said. "And we still use traditional handcrafted methods to produce our luxurious products, such as cottage cheese, clotted cream, yoghurts and ice cream." Pipex px had its best year of business in 2012 - turning over a recession-busting Pounds 15 million. Now the award-winning Roborough-based company, which made a profit of Pounds 1.325 million last year, has plans for a further five years of expansion, with turnover predicted to hit Pounds 25 million, including more jobs in the pipeline. The firm is investing and pushing into new markets and products. Pipex px was formed in 1975 and came to Plymouth in a Pounds 2 million phased move from 2006. It now employs 140 people. It is involved in designing, manufacturing, supplying and installing composite and thermoplastic products, including pipes, for industries including oil and gas, nuclear, renewables, pharmaceuticals, construction and more, with up to 20 per cent exported including a Pounds 1 million project in Korea. Last year Pipex px invested Pounds 150,000 in a lathe, Pounds 300,000 in a new IT system and set up a new factory in a unit bought from a company that relocated, where it produces patented handrails. Last year Princess Anne opened its Pounds 300,000 Innovation Centre, designed and built to develop staff training ethics and innovation skills. It came a year after it bought Scottish competitor SCS. A Pipex Px spokesman said: "We are proud to be recognised as a company of integrity, reliability and honesty, wherever feasible Pipex px strives to utilise local supplier resource." Underhill Engineering Ltd was formed 1974 and is still family run, with Richard Underhill last year taking over as managing director from father Keith. Uncle Mike Underhill remains as chairman of the Estover-based firm, and Keith chairs the Underhill Group's other business, Honitonbased Underhill Building Services. Today Underhill Engineering is a multi-skilled company specialising in the design, fabrication and installation of complex, high-tolerance structures and industrial pipe work across a myriad of sectors. In 2010 the firm moved from a workshop in Plympton to an eight- acre site with a factory capacity of 90,000 sq ft. It has seen a 28 per cent increase in turnover in the past three years and increased staff by 23 per cent. The firm has also invested in new machinery and in its building. It has also been involved with the creation of the naval training facility at HMS Raleigh. "Thanks to a loyal customer base we have been able to expand through the recession," a spokesman said. MORE SHORTLISTED FIRMS WILL APPEAR IN NEXT WEDNESDAY'S BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD FOUR businesses which aim to reinvest in their work are jostling to be named Social Enterprise of the year. Plymouth University is sponsoring a category that looks beyond the normal cashgenerating aims of the corporate world. Education through Expeditions (ETE) delivers school outreach activities and connects university field research and expeditions with schools through an interactive elearning platform. It aims to inspire young people to learn about the world and pioneer changes to the way environmental education is delivered. Since its establishment in 2010, ETE, based at Plymouth University's Sherwell Centre, has delivered talks and Polar Fun Days in 450 schools, engaging with 15,000 children taking part. It has also grown from a team of four to seven. "We plan to expand our work with Plymouth schools through a new partnership with Plymouth University, and agreements are emerging to work with at least a further three universities across the UK," a spokesman said. "Our five-year target is to be working with 100 fieldwork projects at over 10 universities, and over 500 schools across the UK, ultimately seeing us help to enhance the educational experience of thousands of school children and university students." Barbican-based Fotonow CIC began trading in 2009 and directors Matthew Pontin and Jonathan Blyth aim to develop photographic arts projects that stimulate social change. The company has doubled its turnover annually, with income of Pounds 74,000 in 2011/12. "A large percentage is returned to local artists and media professionals though commissioned work and creative opportunities," Mr Pontin said. The company runs Camper Obscura as a contemporary mobile arts project, and mentors and oversees a commercial arm through Foto+ Collective, which enables graduates to work with professionals. "The company has five regular practitioners working on projects, from film to webdesign, which range from youth education work for Plymouth City Council to projects with the BBC," Mr Pontin said. "The company is looking to grow towards a physical centre for photography and media in the city, enhancing ambitions for City of Culture 2017. Rhythm City Dance Studio isn't just down with the kids, it's down with the grown-ups too. The city's home of breaking and popping and other forms of street dance opened four years ago, and while it teaches children from the age of four, it finds adults want to take part in its classes too. "Parents enjoy going along as well," a spokesman said. "Kids from all backgrounds, races and ages attend. It's a place to meet new friends, learn to dance and keep fit. "It's also like a youth club. The teachers are mentors and role models and help them learn about equality and diversity. The Stoke-based studio, home of the renowned Beat-Breakers team, sees any profit going back into the business. It has sent its teams across the country, winning many prizes. Rhythm City also supports charity. The Zebra Collective exists to promote equality through its work in inclusion, communication and participation. It provides training and facilitation services, and grows community development projects. The operation, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is proud of its values in equality and social and environmental justice. Set up as a worker co-operative, all five workers are directors with equal power in all aspects of the business. "We have also always paid all workers the same rate regardless of role," said director Marc Gardiner. "And our profits are used only to develop the business and provide subsidised work to groups doing good work but without the ability to pay." Working regionally and nationally the business recently worked with the Environment Agency and on behalf of VSO on a young adults' exchange programme between Nepal and Plymouth. Zebra is currently working on developing four time banks in Stonehouse, Whitleigh, St Budeaux and Barne Barton. "We have survived, and indeed grown, during the austerity years, and are confident in exploring possibilities to expand our activities," Mr Gardiner said. MANUFACTURING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD THE three firms shortlisted as Manufacturing Business of the Year export Plymouth quality around the world. BD, Princess Yachts and Vi-Spring are competing for the City College Plymouth sponsored category. BD (Becton Dickinson and Company), which employs more than 700 people at its Roborough plant, manufactures blood collection products and systems including BD Vacutainer tubes which draw blood samples from a patient's ar m. A large proportion of the products are exported to Europe, America and Asia, where the firm is targeting emerging markets. BD last year unveiled a Pounds 9.5 million steriliser unit, using the latest robot technology, which will enable it to double production and create jobs. The investment makes it the first BD plant from 50 worldwide to have two sterilisers. The Plymouth factory also saw Pounds 10 million injected into its safety needle production line. Mike Syrett, production manager, said: "This will enable us to double the output here in Plymouth because there is year-on-year growth in demand. Since the launch of Princess Yachts' first 31-footer vessel in 1965 the firm has been, as it puts it, "rewriting the rules of luxury cruising". The marque includes the famous Flybridge range, VClass sports yachts, long-range Motor Yachts and groundbreaking M-Class superyachts. The firm produces up to 300 vessels a year, with prices ranging from Pounds 250,000 to Pounds 15 million a boat as it moves into making 100ft and bigger boats. It crafts them at its advanced marine manufacturing facilities at Stonehouse, Lee Mill, Langage, South Yard and Coypool. Employing 2,200 workers, Princess Yachts last year made a Pounds 15.1 million surplus on increased turnover and bought the freehold to its 20-acre site in Devonport Naval Base's South Yard, for an undisclosed sum. Larger boats will be built in the yard and work last year began on a Pounds 35 million production facility as the firm looks to target emerging markets in Central and South America, the Far and Middle East. "We have invested in the South Yard and a huge amount of money in new product development," said managing director Chris Gates. Luxury bed maker Vi-Spring last year received the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise after boosting exports by 300 per cent in the past six years. The Pounds 35 million-turnover company was recognised for success in international trade and managing director Mike Meehan said the company, which employs 193 people at its Ernesettle plant, was now going to push overseas sales even harder. The company, which makes bespoke mattresses and divans, already sells heavily in Europe and the USA, but has opened an office in Hong Kong and also sells beds in India. Mr Meehan said: "If the export markets are successful it should result in securing the existing workforce and hopefully create new opportunities." (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |