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Siemens helps combat early careers crisis with recruitment drive for 26 school leavers, university students and graduates

Sam Whitear
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Siemens is bucking the downward trend in early careers opportunities by offering 26 school leavers, university students and graduates a pathway into manufacturing, automation and digitalisation.

The recruitment drive for the Siemens Digital Industries division aims to bolster its intern, apprenticeship and graduate careers programme which accounts for 10% of its 1,000-strong workforce.

Successful candidates will work from Siemens’ UK headquarters in Manchester or its award-winning digital factory in Congleton.

Covid-19 and the resulting economic impact has contributed to a sharp decline in opportunities for school leavers, university students and graduates.

A recent report by Make UK*, the manufacturing industry body, found less than half of the UK’s manufacturers (44%) have plans to hire an apprentice in the next year, down from 74 per cent this time last year.

Meanwhile, research by the Institute of Student Employers (ISE)** concluded that the number of graduate jobs dropped by 12% in 2020 with further declines predicted next year.

Over the next three months Siemens will be recruiting nine young people for its advanced and higher apprenticeships, two for its International Technical Talent apprenticeships, one graduate scheme position, six interns, and three E3 scholarships. Meanwhile, five university students completing their E3 scholarships will secure places on Siemens DI’s graduate programme.

Since establishing its early careers programme in 2010 Siemens Digital Industries division has launched and enhanced the careers of more than 100 young people.

Jess Reading, 21, joined Siemens’ degree apprenticeship programme in 2018.

“I had a lot of misconceptions about the structure of an apprenticeship, suspecting it would start with lots of study and little manual experience,” Jess said. “From day one I was thrown into projects and encouraged to get involved. That hands-on experience was thrilling and really helped my confidence. I was surrounded by industry leaders and was encouraged to ask questions. That culture of support where everyone wanted you to succeed has helped me thrive.

“As the apprenticeship has progressed I have been given more responsibilities, and encouraged to lead projects and take ownership, a skill I am really grateful for. I was also able to get involved in the Ventilator Challenge UK. To be involved in such a once in a generation project was incredible.

“Siemens is an ever-changing environment, working with leading edge technologies and pushing the limits of innovation in engineering. It’s an exciting place to work and learn.”

Elliot Bloor, 21, is in his third year of a degree apprenticeship and is working towards a BEng (Hons) degree in Control and Automation.

“I have been given so many opportunities to develop skills in a wide range of disciplines and absorb knowledge,” Elliot explained. “I have been given solid grounding in business improvement, capacity planning, lean and industrial engineering, as well as access to cutting edge digital tools like Plant Simulation, Siemens’ discrete event simulation software, and access to technologies such as the Virtual Reality Cave.

“The culture here is that Siemens will give you the landscape to learn – the expertise, the technology and the tools – but you push yourself to take the opportunities available.

Elliot has thrown himself into apprentice life at Siemens DI. Within his first year, although just 18, he was leading visitors on tours of the digital factory in Congleton. In his second year, he was rewarded with the opportunity to join the layout and digitalisation team on a six-month secondment. Elliot was also selected to get involved in the Ventilator Challenge and was recently named Siemens’ Engineering Degree Apprentice of the Year.

“It has been brilliant, a great experience,” Elliot said. “It’s a lot of work and needs focus and commitment, but you will get the support, and with that, you will succeed.”

Brian Holliday, Managing Director for Siemens Digital Industries, said: “Early careers opportunities like apprenticeships and graduate schemes are a critical part of UK manufacturing’s effort to take advantage of the digital transformation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Offering school leavers, university students and graduates a fulfilling career pathway is key to solving the skills gap in the technology, manufacturing and engineering industries.

“Over the years Siemens Digital Industries has evolved and enhanced its early careers offering to ensure we have the talent and growth mindset we need for the future.

“We’ve brought a very diverse group of apprentices and graduates into our business. And guess what, when you throw tough stuff at them, they all step up, and they’re brilliant.

“By opening up our doors to 26 more young people we are committing to recruit, train and retain the next generation of innovators, and create high value jobs in the North West.”

There are three kinds of apprenticeships offered by Siemens. Advanced Apprenticeships take between three and four years and combine work and studying for an NVQ Level 3 plus a technical engineering qualification. Higher apprenticeships take between two and four years to complete and combine studying with hands-on training towards an NVQ Level 4 and a relevant HNC. Degree apprenticeships take around five years to complete and earn an NVQ Level 6-7 equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

Internships are designed to offer first or second year university students an opportunity to experience life at Siemens through a tailored development programme and put their degree to work in a real world environment through either a three-month summer or 12-month placement.

Another pathway to a career at Siemens is through the E3 Academy, which offers university scholarships for those studying IET-accredited courses with Electrical Energy Engineering options, including a £2,500 bursary for each year of study, paid vacation work placements, summer schools, company mentoring, and a job after graduation.

The Graduate Development Programme is open to those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, in an engineering, tech or business-related subject, and offers two years of paid training designed to enhance core and soft skills.

The International Technical Talent Apprenticeship programme includes one year in Berlin and then a four-year degree apprenticeship.

Dave Thomas started his career with Siemens 13 years ago through the graduate programme and is now training and development manager currently supporting 100 interns, apprentices and graduates.

He said: “Our early careers programme has been designed to combine the needs and ambitions of today’s talented young people with the skills companies like Siemens need to turn them into the experts of tomorrow.

“Opportunities at Siemens DI cover manufacturing, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, technical sales, engineering technical support, IT, data analytics, and business administration.

“Each element of the programme offers stimulating challenges, real-world industry experience, first class mentoring, and opportunity to earn while they learn.

“We’re looking for people who want to take on the challenges of tomorrow with an inquisitive mindset, a desire to contribute to and solve problems in a challenging and diverse environment, the ability to react to changing trends and tackle the unexpected with enthusiasm, and a collaborative approach that saves valuable time and energy, and delivers results for everyone.”

Mitchell Charlesworth moves to new Manchester office

Sam Whitear
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North West accountancy firm Mitchell Charlesworth is set to move to new premises in Manchester city centre.

The new office is located at 44 Peter Street in Manchester. The firm will occupy grade A office space on the third floor of the building. The office is currently being fitted out and will have all the required Covid-19 safety measures in place to help protect staff and clients.

Mitchell Charlesworth’s Manchester office is relocating from its current base on Deansgate to the new office, which is due to open on 18 January 2021.

Commenting on the move, Alison Buckley, managing partner at the Manchester office of Mitchell Charlesworth, said: “Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed our relocation plans somewhat, we can now confirm that we will be maintaining a prime city centre base in Manchester, which is ideally located between St Peter’s Square and Spinningfields.

“For over 130 years we have been successfully delivering accountancy services and business advice to our clients by continually evolving and enhancing our services and how clients access them. Our full range of accounting and business services will be available from the new office, which will provide an inspiring working environment for our staff and comfortable surroundings for our visitors as well as support our future growth in the region.”

Mitchell Charlesworth also has offices in Liverpool, Chester and Widnes.

Richard Wharton at JLL and Darren Hamer at Hill Dickinson advised Mitchell Charlesworth on the deal.

Cushman & Wakefield acted on behalf of the landlord Credit Suisse. The property is managed by Muller International.

Energy Save Powers GG Hospitality Towards Sustainability Goal

Sam Whitear
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The group behind Manchester’s Hotel Football and Stock Exchange Hotel has shaved £13K off its energy bills in the past year after teaming up with corporate energy and sustainability specialists at Core Facility Services in Halifax, just on the other side of the Pennines.

A decision by GG Hospitality to forward purchase its energy and take advantage of record market lows has paid off, leaving more cash in the bank to invest in wider sustainability measures.

Core helped the business negotiate new energy contracts and embark on a programme of proactive purchasing which gives the flexibility to buy gas and electricity when market conditions are most favourable.

Claudio Bondin of GG Hospitality said: “Bringing our energy budget down is just one of the ways we’ve been working with Core to improve sustainability.

“They are helping us plan out a detailed net zero strategy which is looking at a huge range of options for improving efficiency and reducing overheads.

“Our goal is to reduce our impact on the environment without affecting customer experience and any cost savings we make can be reinvested in green initiatives across the group.”

Colette Watts of Core Facility Services said: “GG Hospitality has ambitious sustainability targets and we are delighted to be helping them plan a route map towards energy cost reduction and decarbonisation.

“A combination of low global energy prices and greater awareness of climate issues means this is a particularly good time for businesses to re-evaluate energy spending and turn their attention to improving efficiency and long term sustainability.”

Manchester manufacturer expands into Italy with £6.1 million acquisition

Sam Whitear
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The Vita Group, the UK’s leading providers of polyurethane foam, has underlined its commitment to further international expansion with the acquisition of Italian foam manufacturer I.M.P.E. S.p.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Natuzzi based in Naples.

Vita, which employs 2,700 people across Europe and is headquartered in Middleton, Manchester, expects the £6.1m deal to complete in the first quarter of 2021. It will enable the business to gain an important foothold in Italy, which is the second largest furniture producing country in Europe and one of its largest furniture exporters.

The Naples site, which will be known as Vita Italy, will manufacture value added and differentiated polyurethane foam for the Italian furniture and bedding industry, as well as expanding the Group’s trade links with the Americas and North Africa. The site, which has production capabilities of 20k tonnes per annum, will enable Vita to release current production in Hungary and Romania to concentrate on further expansion in Eastern Europe and the Balkans region.

The acquisition will also further strengthen its long-standing partnership with world-leading furniture manufacturer Natuzzi. In addition to purchasing the foam plant in Naples, The Vita Group will continue to supply Natuzzi with high-quality materials, including new innovative foams for use across its global furniture portfolio.

Speaking on behalf of The Vita Group, Group CEO Ian Robb said: “This strategic acquisition establishes a further step in our ambition to broaden and strengthen our production footprint across Europe. We believe this is a win-win transaction for all parties and allows Vita to gain an established foothold in this important market. Under The Vita Group umbrella, and with the assistance of IMPE’s experienced workforce, we look forward to further investing in new plant and equipment to allow us to increase choice, innovation and continued support to our existing and new customers, while further enhancing our presence in the Italian bedding & furniture market.”

The acquisition demonstrates The Vita Group’s continued commitment to growth and innovation. Major milestones in 2020 included capacity expansions in Lithuania, Poland and Romania, which will be online in 2021. The capacity increases enable further investments into thriving new sectors, such as bedding (Bed in a Box) technology and production equipment in United Kingdom, France, Romania, and Germany.

These investments are supported with the creation of four distinct innovation centres across the Group, based in Accrington (Technical Division), Corby (Flooring Division), while the Comfort Division has invested in Lithuania (Chemistry and Formulation) and its state-of-the-art Bedding Innovation Centre in Middleton.

The Middleton Innovation Centre combines Vita’s technical expertise with the latest advanced testing equipment and systems and enables the Group to continue to deliver leading, innovative products. Recently, for example, the Innovation Centre developed FRee foam, an environmentally friendly alternative to standard foams that is fully compliant with UK flammability regulations.

Built on 70 years of heritage, The Vita Group develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of flexible polyurethane foam, Talalay latex and flooring products to create comfort, quality and functional solutions for customers. Its materials are used in products across a range of sectors, from bedding to office and household furniture, mobility markets and the significant new sectors of medical and hygiene, allowing the Group to achieve its purpose of “Creating comfort, delivering performance and enhancing everyday life”.

CAPITAL&CENTRIC and Kamani Property Group submit plans for new Swan Street community

Sam Whitear
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Social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC, which recently featured in the BBC2 documentary Manctopia, has submitted a planning application for a £37m scheme to create a new community in Manchester’s New Cross district in partnership with Kamani Property Group.

Located opposite the Mackie Mayor food hall and iconic Band on the Wall venue, the scheme will transform the derelict site on Swan Street into 118 new homes, with a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed design-led apartments. There will be ground floor workspaces and spaces for local businesses to locate, such as a café-bar or deli.

A shared roof terrace and private roof terraces for residents are also planned as the developers look to maximise outdoor space. With a striking design, it will also feature a huge 270m art canvas on the front of the building which will be one of the largest in the city and will showcase local and international artists.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC said:

“New Cross used to be a thriving location in the 18th and 19th century and its due to have its day again. The area’s already attracting indie businesses and the same is going to happen with residents wanting to be part of the growing neighbourhood.

“As you’d probably expect from us, we’ve gone for a bold design with a huge art canvas on the building. We want people to stop and look and for it to become a talking point. Architecture should be interesting and draw people in – we’re not interested in building a bland boring building!”

The site, which CAPITAL&CENTRIC purchased with Kamani Property last year, is currently home to two derelict buildings, once used as a MOT garage and a storage facility.

During the first lockdown, CAPITAL&CENTRIC opened a COVID supplies depot at the site, where over £500,000 of supplies were donated to local charities.

It is soon to open as Ramona, a new temporary Detroit pizzeria and bakery, margarita bar, beer garden, coffee counter and stage by the team behind some of Manchester’s most iconic venues including Trof, Gorilla and Albert Hall.

Adam Kamani, CEO of Kamani Property said:

“Manchester runs through our veins and we’re proud to be part of the New Cross district’s resurgence. The city centre has been through a tough and unprecedented year tackling COVID-19 but we’re looking forwards to the comeback and recovery. As a business we’re keen to play our part in helping Manchester to thrive again. The submission of our plans with CAPITAL&CENTRIC to breathe new life into an under-loved part of the city with boundless potential is a great way to kick off 2021.”

Tom Dobson, Associate Director at HawkinsBrown, the architects behind the scheme said:

“Swan Street is a fantastic opportunity to provide a new landmark destination with a layered architectural response, designed to offer a mixed use scheme of high-quality homes activated at ground level by commercial premises and enhanced public realm.”

The New Cross district is bound by Swan Street, Oldham Road, Rochdale Road, and Livesey Street. In 2015 Manchester City Council approved a Neighbourhood Development Framework for New Cross to guide future development and create a vibrant new residential led neighbourhood.

The planning application submission follows a public consultation which was held during December.
A decision on the planning application is expected from Manchester City Council in the Spring.

Work starts on £6.1million YMCA’s new facility for young people in Bolton

Sam Whitear
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A £6.1million project to create a new five-storey YMCA independent living facility for young people has started.

The new building, called ‘Y-Pad’ and designed by Preston-based architects, Cassidy +Ashton, will transform YMCA’s existing community and drop-in centre on Deansgate to create forty modern self-contained apartments for young people in Bolton aged between 18 and 25.

Demolition work has started on YMCA’s existing premises at the site which is expected to complete in March. Construction work is scheduled to start in April with an anticipated completion date of January 2022.

As well as providing the opportunity for young people to move out of supported accommodation and foster care and become more independent, Y-Pad’s ground floor will house Bolton Y-Zone, enabling the continuation of YMCA Bolton’s youth services as well as operating a food bank.

Alistair Baines, Cassidy + Ashton’s chairman and head architect on the project said: “It has been a real pleasure to be involved in such an important and much needed facility and to help bring life to YMCA’s vision for the Bolton community.

“We chose a contemporary, aspirational design for the building, taking into consideration features and materials that reflect the same flavour and architectural language as the surrounding historic buildings. In addition, by incorporating large, glazed areas and the use of modern materials, we feel the new building will offer a light, spacious facility and a welcoming environment for young people to realise their independence.”

The design process for creating Y-Pad involved input from young people to ensure their wishes and needs were considered. The resulting generous self-contained one-bedroom apartments each includes a kitchen and bathroom to enable them to live independently and be re-integrated into society.

John Shepley, Chairman of Trustees at YMCA Bolton said, “I am delighted to see the start of this new and exciting project. The YMCA on Deansgate has a long and enviable record of working with and supporting the Bolton community. However, for some time now the Trustees have recognised that the existing building was not best able to meet the changing needs and demands of our local community. The existing building had become an increasing drain on our limited financial resources, so we needed to change and adapt.”

“In order to secure the necessary changes, the Trustees developed a strong working partnership with our YMCA colleagues at Fylde Coast. Together with their help and support we have been able to achieve our goal of a new build incorporating both forty self-contained one bed apartments and room for our own YMCA activities.”

“It has taken us several years to reach this point, but I know we can now look forward with confidence to the future. Without doubt this marks a new era for YMCA Bolton and the Board of Trustees look forward to the new and exciting times ahead.”

“Cassidy + Ashton has been involved in several YMCA projects, most recently the redevelopment of the YMCA Lakeside school facility at Lake Windermere. The success of this building reflects their creative ability to design modern functional buildings with sympathetic consideration of the surrounding environment.”

The Bolton Y-Pad project is a collaboration between YMCA Bolton and Y:Housing (YMCA Blackburn).
As well as providing architectural and design services, Cassidy + Ashton will manage the project onsite on behalf of YMCA, working alongside constructors Walter Carefoot & Sons Construction Ltd.

Smart city testbed launches at MediaCityUK to capitalise on post-Covid opportunities

Sam Whitear
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Two Greater Manchester companies will take part in a groundbreaking Smart City Innovation Testbed launched at Salford’s MediaCityUK, to discover and test how cities can use technology to adapt to a post-COVID world.

Stockport’s R-Com and Cyber Defence Service, who are based at Salford Quays, will take part in the programme which sees MediaCityUK partner with the Connected Places Catapult, leading experts on emerging technologies that accelerate future cities and transport solutions.
Cyber Defence Service (https://www.cyberdefenceservice.co.uk/) have developed an Internet of Things (IoT) security platform OvertAI which passively monitors IoT devices connected to the network, detecting anomalies and potential threats.

R-Com ( https://r-comiot.com/ ) has created a comprehensive Smart City solution with a suite of sensors that can count passengers on public transport, measure air quality and monitor vehicles on roads with the firm also providing real time analysis and IT support.

Led by innovation specialists UP Ventures the testbed will:

Coach a cohort of six start-up companies from across the UK to develop and prototype their products with the aim of securing investment at the end of the programme.
Explore how cities can evolve by using the Internet of Things (IoT) to transform the way we live in, work and play in new ways.
Allow the cohort access to MediaCityUK’s unrivalled technology infrastructure to deploy and test their products in a ‘living lab’ environment.
Comes hot on the heels of the ‘GM Future of Health’ accelerator programme which also took place at MediaCityUK and has recently seen significant commercial breakthroughs for several of the cohort

The six companies taking part in the testbed, which runs from January to April 2021, will benefit from masterclasses, online coaching and access to engaged decision makers from industry and the investment community.

Pete Davies CTO of the Cyber Defence Service, whose firm will place IoT detection edge-compute nodes around MediaCityUK, said:

“On average a person owns six smart devices and a significant proportion of these will be built from parts delivered by the cheapest supplier meaning that over time they become obsolete and unsupported, which can present a real risk to an entire network.

“Our project at MediaCityUK uses a ground-breaking deep-learning signal analysis technique to identify these devices and create a measurable landscape of the type and number of devices that are in use across the site. Its primary goal is to establish a known good baseline of IoT devices, allowing us to identify any anomalies or change in behaviour. This approach has a wide range of uses and could be an effective measure for understanding footfall for building planning, fire safety and the taxonomies of individuals in any given area.

“We are looking forward to taking part in the testbed and validating our product while also demonstrating to investors that we have developed something that solves the need for managing a rapidly evolving technology landscape.”

Non-executive chairman of R-Com, Steve Pearce, said IoT devices had a key role to play in rebuilding cities after the pandemic.

“The pandemic has thrown a spotlight on the way we all travel , work and generally move around, he said.

“It has also had a devastating impact on the high street and footfall in our city and town centres.

“Offering alternative mobility solutions such as cycle ways and traffic free areas and finding ways to refocus and rebuild confidence ànd opportunity in urban areas have become pressing priorities.

“Our products are capable of collecting highly accurate data which will assess what is actually happening in terms of pedestrian footfall , passenger numbers, traffic patterns and cycling activity .

“By using this data to verify and test potential infrastructure investments we can dramatically accelerate decision making processes and reduce the risk of limited public funds being wasted.”

Based at MediaCityUK, the UK’s largest tech, creative and digital hub, the testbed will also take advantage of its campus-wide WiFi provision which operates at 200mb per second allowing the connection of hundreds of devices at the same time as well as the Vodafone 5G testbed incubator space in The Landing.

Managing Partner of UP Ventures, Steve Thomas, said: “Working towards a post-pandemic world we have an opportunity to create a profoundly positive impact on the way people adapt and thrive. At the heart of our smart city innovation testbed is a passion for technology, the role of places and how they can adapt to support how people live, work, play and learn.

“This is a challenging time for business however it has never been more important to innovate and that is why we intend to press on with supporting this talented group of innovators.”
Stephen Wild, Managing Director of MediaCityUK said: “This latest testbed will really build on the success of previous incubator and accelerator programmes hosted and supported by MediaCityUK. As an established innovation district we’re very proud to be working in partnership to support this talented new cohort of technologists in their quest to deliver visionary projects. These cutting edge innovations will pave the way in our Smart City ambitions as well as make a positive difference to the way we lead our lives in a post covid world.”

Neil Fulton, Chief Delivery Officer at Connected Places Catapult said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has stimulated huge demand for innovation in the ways and places we live and work. At Connected Places Catapult we focus on supporting businesses to respond to that market demand. We know however that being able to test and demonstrate solutions is essential to commercial success, so we are very pleased to be partnering with UP Ventures Group and MediaCityUK to deliver this testbed which will allow important innovations to be proven and refined, speeding their journey to market.”

Applications open for Growth Hub’s THIRD Made for Manufacturing programme

Sam Whitear
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MANUFACTURERS in Greater Manchester are set to benefit from further support, following the return of a fully-funded programme to help businesses of all sizes increase productivity and get on the path to growth.

Made for Manufacturing, which is run by GC Business Growth Hub, is actively recruiting for manufacturing businesses of all sizes from across the city region.

Applications are now open to manufacturers who are focused on improving efficiencies and growing their workforce. This is the third wave of the programme, which has previously been oversubscribed.

Stockport headquartered leading die-makers, Arden Dies, took part in the first cohort. Tony Lynch, Works Manager, said: “The programme has taught me to change the way I think about things and given me a good basis for how to go about solving problems.

“I am now thinking ahead and planning things in advance, rather than waiting to be reactive. The networking side of the programme has been very beneficial. It is good to be able to bounce ideas off other people and gain a new perspective from people outside the business.

“We are now working on a couple of projects which will make a huge difference to the productivity of the business.”

Neil Mullarkey, Managing Director at Polyfab Coatings and Systems Ltd in Wigan, added: “I’ve found the Made for Manufacturing programme really useful – especially having an external perspective on the issues we don’t always see and what others have achieved.

“It has focused our vision on the real priorities. As a company, we have challenges – we all do – but we are in a great place and excited about where we can be in 12 months’ time.”

The 10-week programme is open to 10 non-competing manufacturing companies.

It will offer tailored advice and workshops from speakers, peer-to-peer learning and one-on-one support from one of the Hub’s specialist Manufacturing Advisors.

Other support will include virtual factory tours to observe industry best practices, workshops, and practical exercises to help business leaders commit to actions and continuous improvements.

It will also identify opportunities and priorities for competitive advantage through digitisation, additive manufacture and automation.

Anne Campion, Manufacturing Lead at GC Business Growth Hub, said: “We are excited to announce the third wave of Made in Manufacturing following the enormous success of the previous two programmes, which has demonstrated a real appetite for this kind of support.

“Manufacturers who have taken part have benefitted not only from the practical support to identify ways to streamline their business and explore opportunities for growth, but also from invaluable peer support and networking.

“This is an excellent opportunity for businesses of all sizes to learn from each other and maximise growth opportunities.

“We only have 10 places for the programme, and I would urge companies interested to get in contact soon.”

Over the past five years, GC Business Growth Hub’s Manufacturing Team has worked with more than 700 companies, delivered £32m plus of sales increases and supported in the creation of over 400 jobs.

The third Made For Manufacturing programme will run March to July 2021. The application deadline is 12 February 2021.

To take part in the Made for Manufacturing programme, visit www.businessgrowthhub.com/madeformanufacturing or call 0161 350 3050.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services. GC Business Growth Hub is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and is also supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester local authorities.

Family business celebrates 40th anniversary

Sam Whitear
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Second-generation family-owned business Lex Business Equipment is celebrating its 40th anniversary having diversified to weather the coronavirus crisis.

Forty years in business is a significant milestone for any business, but one that is made all the more special as Lex has managed to survive the coronavirus pandemic – and provided equipment to help ensure other businesses do likewise.

During the initial stages of the pandemic in 2020, Lex, a leading Northwest technology, office products and interiors provider, diversified its product offering to serve the rapidly changing needs of its customers at this trying time.

The company acted quickly to the demands of the pandemic, such as securing stocks of laptops, which were in high demand at the time, as well as other home working essentials such as webcams, and home office furniture as many people across the country adjusted to a new way of working. All this was delivered on a next-day basis, safely by courier.

Lex also quickly developed essential janitorial products after being inundated with enquiries for products such as sanitisation, virucidal and cleaning products – as well as dispensers and other COVID essentials such as Perspex screens to put between desks.

“That we were able to help so many local organisations during such a trying time is a great achievement,” says Sam Elphick, Lex’s sales director. “Lex has always been about helping local companies to thrive.”

Founded in 1980 by Wayne Elphick, Lex has changed a lot since he started the business above a shop in Haslingden repairing and maintaining typewriters and cash registers for local businesses.

Now, the Bury-based business is run by father and son team Wayne and Sam Elphick [pictured] and supplies more than 12,000 different products to hundreds of establishments across the region and further afield. Specialising in providing reprographic equipment to organisations on a managed print service, the firm is proud to count Bury Council, BNY Mellon, Vauxhall, as well as one of the UK’s largest estate agency chains as clients.

“We are proud that the company has made it to this significant milestone,” says Wayne. “The success of the business since the beginning has been built on customer service – we really listen the needs of our customers and then do all that we can to deliver what they want for a good price.”

Sam adds: “While we have enjoyed looking back at the history of the company, we are also looking forwards. We have been working hard to retain our competitive edge and remain technologically relevant to our customers.

“We want to continue to support businesses and schools as much as possible during these uncertain times. We have researched and developed our product line to ensure it has everything our customers could need this year and beyond, particularly to facilitate agile working.”

MANCHESTER-BASED, THE INSIGHTS PEOPLE LAUNCHES PARENTS INSIGHTS IN 13 COUNTRIES

Sam Whitear
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Manchester-based, The Insights People, global leader in kids, parents and family marketing intelligence, is delighted to announce the launch of Parents Insights, which went live on the 1 January 2021.

Parents Insights will provide the most comprehensive and dynamic understanding of parents and families attitudes, behaviour and consumption across Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, UK and US.
Nick Richardson, Founder & CEO of The Insights People comments:
“Over the last year we have seen unprecedented demand for our services and many clients have said that they would love us to expand and create Parents Insights. For the last six months the team have been working on the development of the survey, with academics from universities to develop the survey and a series of new tools, which we will significantly complement our Kids Insights and Parents Insights data and insights. This means 2021 is shaping up to a very exciting year for our business, but more importantly we are best positioned to help our clients understand the changing landscape and maximise their ROI across their businesses.”

To mark the launch of Parents Insights, The Insights People has produced its first ever Parents Insights Future Forecast report, which makes 10 predictions for the parents and family sector in 2021.
Research and Trends Director at The Insights People, Sarah Riding says:
“Our expert team of researchers have made 10 predictions for 2021, one of the key themes is how brands really need to embrace sustainability into all parts of their operations. The report also predicts how the Covid pandemic has made families reconnect with one another in virtual worlds, and how in many ways’ families are more connected than before – and suggests that maybe brands should be more conscious of the extended family buying power and influence.”

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