Two Bolton businesses have created a long-term partnership which has just resulted in an eye-catching new image for one company’s vehicles.

The move is the latest in a fruitful collaboration between Digicomm 360 and SignTech, which began a couple of years ago when SignTech’s Director Robert Rogerson approached local technology supplier Digicomm 360 for a new hosted telephone system.

As a result, Digicomm now looks after SignTech’s telephony and IT systems, providing them with Office 365, high-speed internet and ongoing support through one monthly fixed cost.

So, when it came to providing Digicomm with branded signs and banners to display in the USN Bolton Arena following the company’s appointment as an ongoing corporate sponsor at the Horwich venue, Digicomm Managing Director Mark Pollitt turned to SignTech.

He was so pleased with the results that when the two Digicomm company vehicles needed new livery recently, he again asked SignTech for their expert help, and the result of this latest co-operation is vibrant new vehicle livery design.

“I am delighted with the look of the new vans,” stated Mark Pollitt.

“We wanted to create an exciting and striking new image for the vehicles as part of our ongoing commitment to our branding. We chose to work with SignTech due to their outstanding work and to also develop our relationship with them as a fellow local business.”

Robert Rogerson, added: “Digicomm have provided us with a robust high-speed internet, a hosted telephone system and IT equipment which has resulted in a huge improvement in our business efficiencies, especially around file transfer. We have also been impressed with the telecoms and IT fixed cost support package provided, with any issues being dealt with straight away.

“We were delighted to be given the opportunity to work with Digicomm on their vehicle liveries and create these truly unique designs.”

Manchester’s Apadmi reveal today that they’re the mobile tech team behind the next generation app for SailGP, the global sailing championship that kicked off last month in Sydney.

Spearheaded by Larry Ellison and Sir Russell Coutts, SailGP’s inaugural season brings intensely competitive, high-speed inshore racing to fans in Sydney, San Francisco, New York, Cowes UK and Marseille, as world-class crews compete for the championship trophy and a $1million prize.

The innovative SailGP app creates a next level spectator experience, at the event and at home. It allows fans to truly personalise what they watch and which boat to follow, bringing them closer to the sport than ever before. They’ll be able to view live data and video, track performance, compare athletes, change viewing angles, zoom in on the action and watch replays.

SailGP’s inaugural season features six teams, Australia, China, France, Great Britain, Japan and the United States, racing on identical 50-foot foiling catamarans. A new boat class, the F50 is the most technologically advanced catamaran and fastest race boat in the world. The F50s are expected to break sailing’s elusive 50-knot (60mph/100kph) barrier.

“These are the fastest race boats in sailing, and SailGP will redefine the sport. Our challenge was to create an app that was just as ground-breaking. We’ve crashed through things we didn’t realise were possible to do,” said Apadmi’s CCO Matt Hunt. “To create a world-first app, for a worldwide audience, with a world-class team has been an amazing experience for all of us.”

With instant access to more than 1,200 data channels, the app delivers unprecedented insight into the revolutionary new sailing championship. The unique split screen feature enables the viewer to compare two teams side by side, and delve into the detail of what makes the unique super boats fly.

“We really wanted to challenge ourselves with how we present the content and data coming off the boats and show it in a way that truly enhances the fan experience and allows them to be as much a part of the racing as possible,” said Coutts, SailGP CEO.

“This is the first time the data and live streams are available to everyone – fans, teams, broadcasters, coaches and race management – and we really hope it will attract new people to the sport, educate emerging fans and generally make SailGP interesting for a wide range of people.”

Ardenton Capital Corporation has announced its latest investment in the UK: a majority equity position in Manchester-based Budget Trading Ltd and its Dublin-based sister company Budget Greeting Cards Limited (collectively “BGC”).

Founded in 1984, BGC designs and sells greetings cards and gift wrap, as well as other stationery and celebratory products to SME businesses. It operates eight cash and carry warehouses in the UK and Ireland, employing 180 staff. Last financial year BGC reported sales of £36m.

Ardenton will work closely with BGC’s management team, and the partnership will allow the business to unlock further geographic expansion, starting with the opening of a new showroom in the East Midlands. Ardenton will also assist the company’s founder and Managing Director, Paul Lavery, in developing an e-commerce platform which will help drive additional growth. Martin Lavery, co-founder and Paul’s brother, will exit the business but will remain involved on a consultancy basis to help the company achieve its growth ambitions.

Michael Bradbury, Director of Ardenton UK, was assisted by Jonny Nixon and James Worrall. Commenting on the deal Michael said: “BGC has built an excellent reputation and a market leading position across the UK and Ireland, and benefits from a passionate and extremely knowledgeable management team. We will assist management in developing new routes to market for the business and its products, which will unlock future growth.  In the short term, BGC will launch a new cash and carry outlet in Nottingham and will commence development of an online presence. We look forward to working closely with the management team to continue to scale the business and maintain the legacy of its founders.”

Paul Lavery added: “The business has been trading well for more than 30 years, so it was crucial for us that we found an investor who believed in the long-term growth of the company. Ardenton’s strategy of a long-term investment model focused on developing robust sustainable growth was aligned closely with our own aspirations, and made Ardenton the best investor to help take BGC to the next level.”

Ardenton targets majority investments in businesses alongside strong incumbent owners and management teams seeking support in delivering long-term sustainable growth for their businesses. Supporting the partnership between Ardenton and BGC is Director, Strategic Development, Allan Dunn. Based in the firm’s Manchester office, Allan is ideally located to oversee the implementation of the Ardenton Operating System (“AOS”) at BGC, focusing on business improvement and growth.

Jane Hartley, Senior Director at Yorkshire Bank, said: “This well-established family business has been at the forefront of its industry for more than 30 years. BGC has developed a strong presence in the UK and Ireland and its robust approach to its business has made it the market leader. At Yorkshire Bank, we want to champion SMEs in the North West and we are delighted to be working with BGC as it implements its growth strategy, which includes investing in new geographical locations and boosting its online presence.”

Bury and Bolton based law firm Clough & Willis raised over £700 for Bury Cancer Support Unit at its 22^nd annual quiz. The unit provides support through complementary therapies, information, and the friendship of other patients and staff.  The centre is available to anyone living in the North West who is affected by cancer whether as a patient or a carer.

The event took placed at Elton Vale Sports Club on Thursday 7th March. Over 90 people attended with 26 teams competing from across various industries including banking, marketing, property, accounting, IT and financial services.

This year’s winners were Lex Business Solutions who scored 47 points followed by runners up I-Com International Limited who notched up 43 points. There was a three way tie-break for second place with I-Com beating Affordable Accounts Group and Towergate Insurance Brokers after correctly answering a killer question.

Lee Marston, managing partner at Clough & Willis, said: “This year’s quiz was once again a fantastic success and it was great to see so many local business people in one room having fun and networking. We’d also like to thank all the participating teams for raising so much for such a vital and worthwhile cause.”

Milk Jnr’s & Kidworks, the Manchester-headquartered agency which specialises in creating engaging kids activity kits for some of the world’s biggest family brands, has been commissioned by TUI Group for a series of new projects that will launch over the coming year.

Milk Jnr’s & Kidworks has worked with TUI Group since 2014 across its airline, cruise and retail brands. The agency has delivered 10 projects so far including in-flight, onboard, check-in and in-store packs that have included a range of bespoke and individual games, puzzles and characters. All have been created in line with educational guidelines and reinforce TUI’s strong sustainability message. 

TUI is the world’s leading tourism group. The broad portfolio gathered under the Group umbrella consists of tour operators, 1,600 travel agencies and leading online portals, TUI aviation airlines with around 150 aircraft, over 380 hotels, 16 cruise liners and many incoming agencies in all major holiday destinations around the globe. It covers the entire tourism value chain under one roof. This integrated offering enables TUI Group to provide our 27 million customers with a holiday experience in 180 regions.

Zoe Telfer, Client Services Director at Milk Jnr’s & Kidworks, said: “We are delighted to have been commissioned by TUI Group once again. Our focus will now be on further adding value to each brand we work with and to help create holidays to remember for young travellers.”

Sophie Hughes, Product Lead, Inflight Supply Chain Group Inflight Services, at TUI Group, added: “Over the past few years Milk Jnr’s & Kidworkshas really understood the TUI brand and has worked to our strategy and objective to appeal to our younger travellers. This strong and successful partnership means we have confidence the team at Milk will continue to deliver innovative and engaging solutions that reflect our values.”