Made in Yorkshire News

Made in Yorkshire appoints new Business Development Director

Made in Yorkshire News — 06/09/2018

Made in Yorkshire has reinforced its strong growth with the promotion of a key member of staff.

In recognition of his role in expanding the manufacturing network, former Regional Membership Manager Alex Robinson has been appointed Business Development Director.

Jason Pitt, CEO, Made in Group, said: “I am delighted to announce the promotion of Alex. He has been instrumental in helping to underpin the strong growth experienced by Made in Yorkshire during the past 12 months.

“He has quickly developed trusted relationships with both new and existing members and his effectiveness in growing the network was never better illustrated than during this year’s Made in Yorkshire Expo when he signed up a record four new members.

“As we look to expand the Made in Yorkshire network still further his attributes will be invaluable in helping to achieve our goals. I wish him all the best in his new role.”

Alex possesses a strong working knowledge of the Yorkshire manufacturing sector and understands the needs of companies working in the industry.

Prior to joining Made in Yorkshire he honed his knowledge of the manufacturing industry during a four-year stint with The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, latterly as Supply Chain Development Manager.

He said: “I am delighted to be appointed to the role of Business Development Director and I look forward to working with more companies across Yorkshire as we look to unite the region’s manufacturing community.

“This is a very exciting time for Yorkshire and for Made in Yorkshire in particular as we look to establish the network as the leading industry support organisation in the region.

“As we stand on the threshold of a new era it is more important than ever that the voice of manufacturing is recognised and through Made in Yorkshire - and with the support of our members - we aim to ensure that it is.”

Alex Robinson, Business Development Director, Made in Yorkshire (right) is pictured with Made in Group CEO, Jason Pitt.

Made in Yorkshire invests in a new exhibition website

Made in Yorkshire News — 10/03/2019

Made in Yorkshire has launched a dedicated website to serve exhibitors and visitors to its annual trade exhibition.

Jason Pitt, CEO, Made in Group, said: "The popular Made in Yorkshire trade show, attracted hundreds of people last year and it seemed right to create a dedicated space alongside our main community portal so that we can engage with visitors, enhance promotion for our exhibitors and do justice to what is now one of the largest regional manufacturing shows in the area."

This year’s exhibition, which takes place at the Centenary Pavilion in Leeds on Thursday May 23, will feature the elite of Yorkshire’s manufacturing industry.

It will feature one of the biggest collections of Yorkshire manufacturers under one roof this year and is set to attract hundreds of delegates from across the manufacturing sector - including the buying teams from many of the industry’s biggest companies.

It is guaranteed to be one of the largest manufacturing networking opportunities in Yorkshire this year.

The new website - www.madeinyorkshireexpo.co.uk - will enable visitors to see exactly who is attending the show before they arrive, read exhibitor news, download the floorplan and of course, register tickets or interest in exhibiting.

Each year Made in Yorkshire exhibitors have seen improvements to the infrastructure of the show and we are also working to improve the visitor experience. We hope that members enjoy the benefits of this latest investment and of course, welcome feedback and ideas on helping to make this the number one show for British industry.

Made in Yorkshire turned to Wakefield-based developer Gomedia for this project having previously built events and CRM systems we felt they understood the needs of the show and had the technical capability to deliver a quick turnaround.

Visitor tickets can be registered online by visiting www.madeinyorkshireexpo.co.uk

There has already been strong interest from members in the event with dozens of companies already signed up to appear.

Don’t delay in joining them.

For more details on registering for the event click on the banner below

The Problem of the Apprenticeship Levy For UK Manufacturing Companies in 2019

Made in Yorkshire News — 05/09/2019

Amidst industry-wide worries of increasing skill gaps, talent retention, and a lack of new, skilled workers, one solution is emerging which is set to benefit everyone. The new wave of apprenticeships could well become the saving grace that the manufacturing and engineering sectors are looking for, and could in turn open up many new routeways for students.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson recently stated that the prospects available for post-16 study are better than ever, specifically listing apprenticeships as a viable option for school leavers.

As many students recently received their GCSE results, it is expected that a higher number than ever before will be looking to become apprentices in specific industry sectors like manufacturing and engineering.

However, though significant strides have been made towards making apprenticeships an accessible and valuable option, there is still a lot of work to be done before this career path is fully realised. As it stands, going straight to university is still the standard, go-to choice for those leaving school in 2019.

But what about those students who don’t feel like university is the right choice for them, and would instead like to head straight into a working, skills-rich environment?

In an effort to significantly improve the state of apprenticeships and the ways in which the programmes are funded, the government introduced the apprenticeship levy in 2017. The aim was to encourage employers to take on more apprentices and further develop their existing programmes.

But, as can happen when it comes policies and funding, the levy scheme has not panned out exactly as many businesses, particularly SMEs, had hoped it would.

How it works

As so many Made In members are actively taking on apprentices to solve their skills gap problems and boost their local communities, we thought we’d delve into this issue to see what’s really going on and what could possibly be done to improve apprenticeships in the UK.

The apprenticeship levy was put into place in April 2017, requiring businesses to pay into a digital fund which will then be supplemented by a further 10% by the government. The compulsory tax applies only to larger companies with a payroll of £3 million or more, calculated at 0.5% of their pay bill.

If that seems fairly straightforward, then you may be wondering where things went wrong and why so many employers are calling for further changes to be made to the levy scheme.

The problem

One of the main problems lies in the fact that most of the funding which is put aside for apprentice training is not being utilised by these levy-paying companies. This information came to light when The Open University managed to secure the relevant data through a Freedom of Information Act request, revealing that, since the inception of the levy, only £108 million has been utilised out of the £1.39 billion fund that has been paid in.

This means that only 8% of the funding has been utilised and put back into developing apprenticeships.

Smaller companies who do not pay the levy tax are now looking at all of this unspent money and wondering why there isn’t a system in place for redistribution to employers who do not reach the £3 million threshold. The next logical question, then, is what happens to all of these unspent funds?

Well, after 24 months these funds will “expire” and be reclaimed by the government, rather than being redistributed.

West Midlands Skills Deal

However, recent changes have opened up a possible solution to the issue of unspent funds - within the West Midlands region, at least. As part of the Skills Deal established in 2018, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) gained unique powers from the UK Government which allows the transfer of unspent levy funds from large businesses to a regional Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund.

This fund is then used to train apprentices within SMEs in the West Midlands. Of course, the scheme is reliant on larger companies contributing their unused funds voluntarily - but so far many big-name organisations have done so, including BBC, National Express and the Wesleyan.

Once a company’s unspent levy are transferred to the combined authority’s fund, it is guaranteed to stay within the West Midlands region, going 100% to providing training within SMEs, and the risk of it becoming sunset (expiring) is taken away.

As it stands, deals like the one made by the WMCA could very well be the solution that small businesses are looking for.

If you’re a small-to-medium manufacturing or engineering company based within the West Midlands, and you’re looking to upgrade or establish your apprenticeship programme, register your interest on the WMCA site and find out more about the opportunities available to you.

But what about other regions, like Yorkshire?

Despite the introduction of the levy and subsequent efforts to promote apprenticeships, the majority of colleges and training providers are reporting that, due to a lack of funding, they are having to turn away students looking to become apprentices, as well as existing staff looking to upgrade their skills. One such training provider is Appris, a Bradford-based organisation who is on the forefront of improving the state of apprenticeship funding.

What we’re facing now, then, is a situation in which more young people than ever are interested in undertaking an apprenticeship - but many are being turned away. This is despite there being an abundance of funding readily available, with many larger companies willing to distribute their unspent levy (as seen within the West Midlands).

There is simply no system in place in regions like Yorkshire for SMEs to benefit from the funds which have been collected.

From talking to our Made in Yorkshire members, many manufacturers in the region are concerned about the sunset funds not staying within the region. This means that huge resources are not only being massively under-utilised, but are also set to be reclaimed by the government without any chance of it being put back into Yorkshire-based businesses who are in need of greater apprenticeship funding.

One such business is Actionplas, a Made in Yorkshire Gold Member who specialises in the machining and supplying of plastics in the UK.

As a non-levy paying company, Actionplas is very engaged with the development of their apprentices - and is therefore also concerned about the issues surrounding the levy. Ruth Gosnay, head of HR at Actionplas, discusses the problem with the levy by stating:

“In our local area, we have a huge amount of levy-paying businesses - the problem is that all the money in their pot that they have not utilised will be wiped off.”

Ruth goes on to explain how she is currently working with the council to establish a project to form connections with these companies who have not been utilising their pots, to companies who are interested in apprenticeships, in order to further develop the future-proofing of the industry.

What can be done?

Though there are some systems in place to help smaller employers to train young people, especially those aged 16-18, many SMEs have a limited budget for apprenticeships programmes. If these small businesses could tap into the unused levy in their local area, their apprenticeships could be taken to a much higher level.

It goes without saying, of course, that this would not only benefit the employer in terms of filling skills gaps and securing worker retention, but it would also be a huge boost to young people across the UK who could follow their interest in an apprenticeship without being turned away.

There is a myriad of ways in which the unspent levy could be better handled. Ruth Gosnay suggests, for example, a sponsorship programme in which the bigger, levy-paying companies are able to provide their levy surplus to any local SMEs of their choosing, ensuring that the funds stay within the region.

Another way would be emulating the Skills Deal made in the West Midlands, whereby a combined pot is collected from bigger companies who volunteer to redistribute their unused funds, which smaller enterprises can apply for.

Regardless of which method is chosen, it is clear that more work needs to be done in terms of getting the funding to where it is needed.

To further understand this issue and how best it might be resolved, we got in touch with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). We learned that some training providers in the region have already utilised all of their available funding, and therefore are having to reject applicants for apprenticeships.

The original idea for the apprenticeship levy was simple yet effective: any unspent money would go back into funding training and apprenticeships. One of the problems, the WYCA have found, is that levy-paying companies are simply not aware that they can nominate a smaller company to divert their unused funds to.

The WYCA also found that many companies in the region are keen to keep the funding at a local level, meaning that a more devolved approach will be required.

The Combined Authority states that this issue is poorly understood; their surveys indicate that a quarter of apprenticeship suppliers are turning away SMEs specifically due to a lack of funding. Despite the massive efforts which have been made in the last five years to shine the light on the value of apprenticeships, the system is not set up to properly support the new influx of young people looking to become an apprentice.

To combat this, a lot of work is being done through organisations like FutureGoals, with over 12,000 people being reached last year who previously were not aware of the opportunities available right on their doorsteps.

FutureGoals is a campaign delivered by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and provides extremely valuable links between education and employers. It’s just one example of the efforts being made to address the skills gap and trade worker shortages across a myriad of industries - including, of course, manufacturing and engineering.

On paper, the prospects for apprentices and those who are seeking further training has never looked better. However, when you dig a little deeper, it’s clear that there’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the funds being raised actually go to where they’re needed, and that no more young people are turned away from their desired career paths. There are many people working hard behind the scenes to improve the current state of the apprenticeship levy.

Any manufacturing companies based in Yorkshire who require support in engaging with education and wish to reap the benefits of taking on loyal, ambitious apprenticeships should contact your regional LEP listed below.

Leeds City Region

North Yorkshire

Humber

Sheffield City Region

Midlands members should get in touch with the WMCA to apply for funding for their own apprenticeship programmes.

#MiY: 5 reasons why networking works

Made in Yorkshire News — 06/09/2019

The Made in Group takes pride in championing the UK manufacturing industry and consistently challenging the erosion of British industry. One of the ways we achieve this is through our best practice networking events.

These events allow you to network with each other, make connections and genuinely feel part of a community in an ever-changing industry. The Made in Group best practice events are held almost weekly throughout the year at members premises, allowing you to showcase what you do.

1. Build relationships with those in your sector and not in your sector

Made in member Gotronic frequently attended one of our networking breakfasts, and has seen the benefits. We recently spoke to Jason Mansell Director of Gotronic who said:

“We attend these networking events to build relationships and hopefully generate business”. “We are hoping to become sponsors of the Wolverhampton racing team, who are involved with Made in Group and other members”.

By attending networking events, you open yourself and your company to opportunities you may not have come across before. Building relationships with other companies is an important part of the industry.

2. Sharing knowledge and ideas

Whether you are a company big or small, there may be another company at a networking event who has already done what you are trying to do. By attending the Made in Group best practice events, you might meet people who can offer you advice and therefore avoid mistakes they have previously made.

3. Promoting your business

In 2019 you may be aware that having an online presence is vital to promoting your business. However one of the most successful ways of promoting is face-to-face interaction, people usually remember a conversation more than an online advert.

4. Connecting with a community

When you attend Made in Group best practice events you are not only exposing your company to the people in the vicinity, you are making connections with their network as well. If you have something to offer them or vice versa, they are likely to remember you.

By being part of the Made in community and attending our networking events, you are promoting the aims of your company as well. John D’Angelilo Managing Director at Bauromat, a robotics and automation systems integrator, said:

“We can work with Lord Whitby and Made in the Midlands to raise awareness of automation.”

5. Growing your confidence

No matter what position you are in within your company, by networking you will undoubtedly build your self-confidence. This gives you the chance to promote your company articulately and confidently, no matter where you are. The more networking events you attend, the more confident you will become.

So what are you waiting for? Make sure you get a place at our next best practice networking breakfast and open yourself up to the opportunities they offer. Our next event will take place at Pennine Pneumatic Services on 12th September, to find out more about this please click on the link below.

MIY MEMBERS HELPING DISABLED ATHLETE ACHIEVE PARALYMPIC DREAM

Made in Yorkshire News — 20/11/2018

A disabled athlete is a step closer to his goal of representing Great Britain in the Tokyo Paralympics thanks to the support of the Made in Yorkshire network.

Stuart Meikle, who had his right leg amputated through the knee when he was just six months old due to complications, is aiming to represent his country in the Paratriathlon.

The 43 year-old father-of-three from Bingley has come to competitive athletics quite late and was encouraged to take up the sport by members of his family, who are all keen athletes.

“It was when I took my children to training sessions at the local athletics club that I began to think that maybe with the right prosthetic leg I could do this - after all I had continued with my mountain biking so was still in pretty good condition,” he said.

“It was after supporting them all at the Great North Run, where you could not help but be inspired that I wanted to enter this race and other races myself in the future.”

On visiting his local Prosthetic hospital in Leeds and explaining my ambition to run, he was supplied with a special limb constructed by MIY member Steeper.

The running blade enabled him to enter a few 10K races, the first one in july . He quickly found that his running times were improving signiłcantly.

“The Steeper prosthetist also knew I was a keen mountain biker and offered to make me a new cycling leg with a revolutionary Kinergen Stream Knee which is a special joint to make cycling easier,” added Stuart.

The benełts were almost immediate. Not only was the new limb smoother, it was more dynamic and easier to use than anything he had tried before.

The simple switch from cycling to walking meant Stuart was able to control the resistance more easily and without any awkward modiłcations.

Equipped with the new Kinergen Stream Knee, he began cycling more than before. However, his increasing workload and frequent movement affected the suction strength of his socket, making it difłcult to maintain peak performance while in the saddle.

He took the problem to his Steeper prosthetist, Asad at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds who made him a carbon fibre socket fitted with the RevoFit Lanyard from Click Medical. Ths enabled Stuart to easily adjust the łt of his socket, providing him with the best cycling limb he has ever had.

After attending a training weekend at Loughborough University - which is the GB headquarters for the triathlon - earlier this year, he was selected to be part of the Paralympic Triathlon Talent Squad with the aim of representing Great Britain in the Tokyo Games.

In March this year, Stuart became British Para Duathlon Champion and since then has completed two more races in this country, getting faster each time.

“Subsequently, I have now started to be selected for the Great Britain team. My first race was in Besancon, France which was a great success and in that I smashed my personal best in the swim,” said Stuart.

“Providing I keep training hard I will have more opportunities to represent my country and give myself the best chance of winning gold in the Tokyo Games.”

As with any athlete in the modern era, sponsorship is vital to achieving lofty ambitions. Impressed by the way he has already overcome such severe challenges in life, Made in Yorkshire is urging its members to back his Paralympic bid by adding to his roster of sponsors.

He currently has two main sponsors - including MIY member Cirteq - which enables him to train twice a week in Loughborough with the GB Performance Squad. “Things for me are becoming more and more challenging due to the need to the increased training load required to maximise my potential,” said Stuart.

“For this reason I am inviting a limited number of additional sponsors to enable me to get the best of the coaching available. If you or your business would be interested in helping me fulłl my ambitions of winning gold then please call me on 07977 27482343 to discuss further.”

For further details visit www.stuartmeikle.com

Government slings £127m into Yorkshire manufacturing catapult

Made in Yorkshire News — 12/08/2018

Research and development initiatives in Yorkshire have been handed a £127m boost from the government.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced new funding that will see the expansion of successful catapult centres around the UK that are helping to fuel innovation across a variety of sectors. The move is part of the governments Industrial Strategy.

Across Yorkshire and The Humber, £126.7m is being allocated for the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham and Sheffield, and sharing in the funding will be the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, also in Rotherham.

The AMRC and NAMRC are both part of the High Value Manufacturing Centre.

The funding is being allocated over the next five years with the aim of helping both centres expand their R&D capabilities and help manufacturers to innovate and win work.

Professor Keith Ridgway, Executive Dean for the two centres, said: "This is a tremendous vote of confidence in the work we do with our industrial partners, and another significant boost for the Sheffield City Region and its emerging Global Innovation Corridor.

Our ability to draw on the research excellence of the University of Sheffield also gives us an additional edge. It means we are able to connect fundamental and basic science to translational research that makes a bigger impact on the factory floor.

The new money will enable us to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across advanced manufacturing, in line with the Industrial Strategy and Juergen Maier's Made Smarter Review. It shows joined up thinking at the heart of government and a determination to rebalance the economy with advanced manufacturing at its heart, supported by some of the best researchers in the world: here in the Sheffield City Region."

The AMRC specialises in carrying out world-leading research into advanced machining, manufacturing and materials, which is of practical use to industry. Since its launch in 2001, it has expanded to include three research facilities at the Advanced Manufacturing Park and Sheffield Business Park, and is now establishing new regional facilities in the North West and Wales. It will receive around £81m funding over five years.

The Nuclear AMRC was established in 2009 to take the same collaborative model into the demanding nuclear industry. As well as its research factory on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, it is developing new specialist R&D facilities in Birkenhead and Derby, and preparing to play a key role in delivering the recently-announced nuclear sector deal. It will receive around £46m funding.

Under the Catapult funding model, each centre will match its core funding with commercial investment from companies which work with the centres to develop innovative technologies and improve their competitiveness, and from externally-funded collaborative R&D projects.

Mr Hammond said: We are working hard to build a stronger, fairer economy dealing with the deficit, helping people into work, and cutting taxes for individuals and businesses. Unemployment is at its lowest since the 1970s, our national debt is starting to fall, and the economy has grown every year since 2010.

It is by backing innovative British companies to grow and create jobs that we will continue this progress and build an economy fit for the future.

The funding is part of a £780m investment across the UK Catapult network of technology and innovation centres.

5 Reasons to start a career in Manufacturing

Made in Yorkshire News — 24/08/2018

It’s exams results season and many young people will be deciding on what their next steps are. With companies valuing vocational qualifications over traditional further education qualifications, here are 5 reasons we young people should seriously consider a career in manufacturing and engineering.

1) The Pay

There is a public perception that working in industry is dirty, highly demanding and low pay - but that viewpoint is outdated and wide of the mark. A mechanical engineer in the UK earns more than the national average annual wage, bringing in on average over £29,000 per annum. Along with better pay, manufacturing firms have been shown to provide greater retirement plans as well as private health insurance for its employees compared to other private sectors.

2) Cutting Edge Technology

Manufacturing is always on the coal face of the latest technology. As we enter the 4th industrial revolution, more and more companies are leading the way with 3D printing on various materials, robots communicating with each other, augmented and virtual reality and the internet of things being used in the sector well before they are having a major impact on everyday life. There are exciting new sectors and older ones such as aerospace are rapidly evolving to bring about new waves of innovation that will have a knock on effect for everyone.

3) Pride in Your Work

There are very few careers where you can physically see the tangible impact of your output. Whether you work one bespoke on off products for the film industry or produce large volumes of small components for the automotive sector, you can point to something and get the very satisfying pleasure of saying “I made that.” It’s might not sound impressive but very few jobs will be able to give that sense of accomplishment.

4) Room to Grow

With new industry trends arising every year and an aging workforce, the glass ceiling in the sector is very high for people coming into the industry. Manufacturing firms have a long, proud heritage in training and promoting internally. If you are determined and eager to learn new skills, the manufacturing sector might be the perfect environment for you.

5) New Skills are needed

The sector is rapidly evolving with with computer technology becoming more prevalent in day to day manufacturing operations. There are key, transferable skills that are being taught throughout higher education that can be implemented and improved upon within engineering companies. The sector is demanding computer literate people to work to work in the industry and manufacturers are having a hard time finding those with the proper skills and education to fit these new roles. The public perception is still outdated people with the right skillset could be missing out on a fantastic career opportunity just because they are unaware how the industry has evolved.

Making the most of Made in Yorkshire membership

Made in Yorkshire News — 03/01/2020

2019 was an important year for UK industry and was one that saw Made in Yorkshire welcome over 60 new members into the network.

We are hosting a ‘new member orientation’ morning Made in Yorkshire Patron, Clarion Solicitors in Leeds City Centre, on Friday 17th January.

This event will benefit the following departments:

Business Owner - Learn how each facet of membership will benefit your business and departments within the business.
Marketing - Learn how membership will boost your profile and increase the visibility of your brand.
Procurement - Learn how our source & supply exercises work and how you can get involved and benefit.
Sales - Learn how to give yourself the best chance to promote your business at the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition on 21 May 2020.

Event schedule:

8am - Arrival networking, tea, coffee and breakfast.

8.30am - Made in Yorkshire Introduction, membership benefits, microsite induction, exhibition overview

09.00am - Social media training delivered by Made in Yorkshire Patron, The Partners Group

09.15am - IP or strategy talk with Made in Yorkshire Patron, Clarion

09.30am - Speed dating - 5 minutes talk with patrons

10.00am Finish

Please click on this link to register a ticket. Please note, members can send up to 4 members of staff to this event.

Come meet other Made in Yorkshire members and learn how to make the most of your membership during this fun and informal networking session.

Should you have any questions, please contact Bruno at bruno@madeinyorkshire.com or a call at 01133 206 499.

Space Hub Yorkshire: Cultivating a thriving and connected space ecosystem

Made in Yorkshire News — 08/02/2024

The space sector in Yorkshire has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, with the development of a space hub for Yorkshire playing a crucial role in this expansion. Yorkshire may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about space technologies, but the region has been making significant strides in the space sector, positioning itself as a key player in the UK.

At the centre of these developments has been the Space Hub Yorkshire, founded by Professor Anna Hogg, an Associate Professor of Earth Observation at the University of Leeds (as seen in the main image above). Going back to 2019, Professor Hogg and colleagues began having conversations with the UK Space Agency about the possibility of establishing a regional space cluster due to Yorkshire’s large geographical area and the fact that 10% of the UK’s student population is trained in Yorkshire.

Despite having many fantastic research institutions and facilities, alongside many innovative commercial companies, Yorkshire wasn’t known for its expertise in the space sector but in 2020, alongside Mandy Ridyard (who now serves as Chief Business Advisor to Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire) and Glenn McCauley, a Research and Innovation Adviser at the University of Leeds, Professor Hogg co-authored a proposal, including a strategy to put Yorkshire on the global stage when it came to space. The proposal set out to create a new space cluster as a way of coordinating academic and commercial activities to become a catalyst for further development, as well as facilitating collaborations between companies that hadn’t previously worked together.

The UK Space Agency has provided funding for Space Hub Yorkshire to harness the region's space expertise, develop its local space sector and grow its regional economy. The Agency’s Unlocking Space for Business programme is bringing the untapped benefits of space and satellites — through enhanced imagery, connectivity and navigation capabilities — to organisations that are new to the sector.

Lydia Green, Head of Unlocking Space for Business at the UK Space Agency, said: “As the cost of accessing space continues to fall and the pace of innovation increases, we are working to help businesses harness the advantages offered by satellites.

“Sectors as diverse as transport and finance have a huge opportunity to bring the benefits of satellite data down to Earth and improve their operations. We want to help tackle the barriers facing organisations that have not traditionally used satellite data or services — for example, Space Hub Yorkshire is delivering GreenSpace, which is opening up new markets for the space sector by aligning the UK's expertise in Earth Observation and its leadership in Green Finance and net zero ambitions. This will help bring further investment into the growing space sector in Yorkshire and across the UK and deliver greater benefits for businesses, people, and the environment.”

Alongside funding from the UK Space Agency, the Satellite Applications Catapult brought additional funding focused on capability and clustering expertise from different places. As Yorkshire is a leader in Earth observation, this meant it was ideally placed to lead a bid for an Earth Observation Network. The bid was successful and the network was officially launched at an event at the University of Leeds on Thursday 18th January 2024.

Image: Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, spoke at the launch event for UK-EONS, which was held at the University of Leeds on 18th January 2024.

Nafeesa Dajda, Director for National Capability at the Satellite Applications Catapult commented: “Developing a vibrant UK Space Ecosystem remains a primary focus of the Satellite Applications Catapult. With the launch of the first CCN [Connected Capability Network] … we bring together space industry capabilities from around the UK and create opportunities for people to work together on Earth observation applications. The CCN will foster robust ties between academia and industry, support channels for consistent communication, and offer essential support services along with access to technical expertise. The launch of the first CCN is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to cultivating a thriving and connected UK Space Ecosystem.”

Mandy Ridyard, who now chairs Space Hub Yorkshire, and also spoke at the Earth Observation Network Launch event, explained: “Yorkshire has a proud connection with the space sector as the very first UK astronaut, Helen Sharman, was from Yorkshire, but when we talk about space in the context of the event, we're not talking about astronauts and rockets, although they are part of the bigger picture.

“The space sector is split into upstream and downstream. Downstream is the use of data. Upstream is the manufacture of satellites and ground infrastructure that allows us to get that data and package it better.

“When we mapped the potential for the sector regionally, we discovered three main strengths in Yorkshire. Firstly, there was manufacturing, so no surprise there, secondly there was digital, so the use of data, and thirdly there was connectivity, which is all around comms. There's a huge heritage in this region around this, stemming from a University of Leeds spin out, that has created a significant cluster of RF businesses here. Those three areas cross over with each other with overlaps between our industry and academia, so it all fits together brilliantly.”

World-leading expertise can be found in Bradford. Professor Ifiok Otung, Director of the Bradford-Renduchintala Centre for Space AI, said: “The University of Bradford has extensive links to the space, AI and telecommunications sector in Yorkshire, the UK and beyond. Many of these people, who are experts in their own right, sit on our Innovation and Skills Advisory Board, and they help us shape the content of our MSc.

“In addition, we provide training for those in industry to update their knowledge of AI, RF and satellite systems — our last three-day course ran in October and was attended by 28 people. These connections also enable us to offer placements to students on our MSc in Satellite Systems Engineering.

“Our Centre for Space AI is also engaged in building a miniature satellite, which we plan to launch into space, and in October last year, we hosted the 40th International Communications Satellite Systems Conference, hosting space experts from NASA, ESA and the Japanese Space Agency, amongst others. Our programme acts as a gateway for graduates who want to pursue careers in the telecommunications sector.”

Steve Crow, Clarion’s Strategy Director, who sits on the Space Hub Yorkshire steering group, highlighted the market potential: “There are some great examples of businesses that are capitalising on the market opportunity in the emerging satellite market where Yorkshire and the Humber has one of the leading radio frequency (RF) clusters in Europe.”

Brighouse-based, Peak Communications are specialists in Satellite Communication Systems. They design, manufacture and supply high-quality commercial radio frequency (RF) satellite communications equipment. Their managing director, Michael Kitson, has been working in the RF satcom industry for nearly three decades; a company that started from humble beginnings in his dad’s garage. His dad has stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business in his retirement, but Michael still runs the company with the original values and standards.

The company designs bespoke, made-to-order, frequency converters to send signals up and back down from the satellites. They also manufacture support products that sit alongside; such as — redundancy converters, test loop translators, beacon receivers and other equipment required to set up a satellite link. Michael explains:

“Our products sell worldwide. Our main customers tend to be communications or television companies who are broadcasting outside or live news feeds. We also sell to military and government customers too.

“Satellite and broadcasting technologies are ever-changing and require further increases in frequency. Customers are needing higher definition pictures; they're trying to get more information into the transport stream, so we are making higher frequency converters to allow for larger bandwidths allowing for more data to be transmitted.

“We have military customers who buy commercial products; that tends to involve going to war-torn countries and places in the world where there's some kind of conflict. You don't want to go all the way to the middle of the desert, switch on your equipment and find out it doesn't work, so we pride ourselves on quality and reliability.”

One of the greatest benefits of involvement with Space Hub Yorkshire must be to learn from the experiences of others. Andy Butt, Head of Business Development and Commercial at Reliance Precision, a company that has extensive expertise in working on large manufacturing contracts within the space sector, explains that this takes considered preparation and encourages other firms to do their research carefully:

“The timeline for space products is typically long, so even for something relatively simple like a gearbox or a pointing mechanism there’s about five years between design and completion of qualification programmes. And they are exceptionally rigorous, exceptionally costly and exceptionally time-consuming. So, I would caution any business looking to get into the industry that this isn't a way to make a quick buck. It's a long-term investment in generating a skill set and a capability in their organisation to give them access to longer-term opportunities.

“But, related to that, the benefits of investing in R&D and the benefits of space as a market are that, once you've got over that qualification hurdle, there's normally a good number of opportunities on the back of it because the market is risk-averse and it likes to reuse the same product.”

Jonathan Bray, AMRC’s Senior Engagement Manager for Space, said: “The UK is facing a huge growth in the space sector, but it feels inaccessible to many businesses. As a member of Space Hub Yorkshire, we hope to help drive further opportunities for non-space technologies and advanced manufacturing techniques across the region. Unlocking space for the people and businesses of Yorkshire will help to create new collaborations and investment.”

The best part is that all this expertise is available to Yorkshire manufacturers on their doorsteps. Could the glamour and excitement of space be part of the solution to addressing the well-documented shortage of young people pursuing STEM careers? Professor Anna Hogg thinks so:

“We also wanted to use the cluster to inspire the next generation of scientists and space sector experts — kids in schools and people studying in our brilliant universities. Space, in my view, has a little bit of a branding problem because what degree do you study or what school subjects do you study to pursue a career in the space sector? The honest answer is that you can study almost anything.

“If you wanted to study communications and law, there's a place for you in space companies and agencies doing that work. You can imagine fantastic engineering students, whether it's mechanical, electrical or other types of hardware engineering and they'll be producing that high precision manufacturing and the instruments that are required for our satellites and rocket launchers. Or equally, you could be a data scientist, like me, making use of these brilliant instruments and taking the deluge of data that we now acquire all over Earth all of the time to try and understand how Earth's environment is changing and where the change is most rapid. So, it felt like the timing was perfect.”

Another Yorkshire figure who is passionate about helping raise awareness amongst the next generation is Paul Stockhill, vice-chair of Doncaster UTC, managing director of Doncaster-based precision engineering company and proud Made in Yorkshire member, Agemaspark, who is well known in the region as a space sector aficionado: “We get involved in a wide range of engineering projects and have made parts for the International Space Station as well as having components go to Mars!”

So, whether it’s manufacturing for the space sector itself or it’s harnessing adjacent opportunities in other sectors, it looks like space really is the next frontier for manufacturers in Yorkshire.

How Members Are Embracing Apprenticeships

Made in Yorkshire News — 29/08/2019

The world of UK manufacturing is filled with companies and individuals who operate with a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise. However, one major aspect which really puts manufacturing companies ahead is their consideration for their future workforce.

The Made In Annual Member Survey 2018 revealed that the biggest challenge which members feel they’re facing is recruiting and retaining employees. One of the main solutions to this is to approach the problem at its roots; by taking on apprentices and developing their skills from the very beginning, you are much more likely to end up with effective employees who are inclined to remain with your company for the long run.

Taking on apprentices also has wider implications. When a company fosters the development of young and new talent who are interested in working within manufacturing, both the local community and the wider industry benefit too.

Whether they’re on the shop floor getting their hands dirty, or learning marketing and IT skills, there’s never been a better time to take on an apprentice. The UK government is on-hand to help facilitate the process of signing up prospective talent, and the up-and-coming workforce is looking to be more diverse than ever before.

Let’s take a look at some of our members’ schemes and processes of training their apprentices, as well as the benefits they’re seeing along the way.

Brandauer & Co Ltd

Whereas many companies limit their intake of apprentices to just a few positions, Brandauer currently boasts an impressive 10 apprentices in various roles. Though many of these are weighted within the technical sector, the company realises the importance of letting each apprentice work within the area in which their interests and skills lie.

This means they have people currently being trained in areas such as digital marketing and sales, to ensure that all areas of the business are being opened up and reinforced.

The process which Brandauer implements is interesting; they rotate their apprentices around the business, giving them insight into each sector of work and helping them decide where they might fit best. The apprentice will then end up working in their desired area, all the while being given the flexibility and guidance needed so that they develop the skills which will let them excel in their future careers.

Rowan Crozier, Managing Director at C Brandauer & Co Ltd, states: “We put a heavy emphasis on developing our talent for the future through our in-house training. Unfortunately, regardless of how good your training is, some apprentices will inevitably change their career route. Having so many apprentices ensures that we get the engineering talent needed.”

Lloyds Bank

Lloyds are well known for their extensive support within many sectors of manufacturing in the UK. What you may not be aware of, however, is all of the great things they’re doing in terms of providing valuable opportunities to apprentices in a wide range of manufacturing industries.

A significant example of how Lloyds are supporting UK apprentices is through their £10 million sponsorship of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry. Since the centre’s launch in 2014, almost 500 apprentices have been trained and supported with a practical, hands-on approach.

Mark Meakin, Local Relationship Manager and graduate of the University of Warwick and Warwick Manufacturing Group’s Manufacturing Awareness Training Program, described the MTC by stating:

“It’s very much a simulation of a factory floor. They’ve got state of the art machinery & equipment to work on, and they also link up to a lot of locally Coventry-based manufacturing and engineering businesses. They’re working in a safe environment with machines they can operate whilst learning various industry processes, before going out to local companies.”

Appris

Appris are a registered not-for-profit charity who specialise in helping manufacturing and engineering companies take on rising talent in the form of apprentices, who will then embark on a training scheme within a particular field.

Much like the Made In Group is dedicated to championing UK manufacturing, Appris Charity is dedicated to championing learning and training in the industry. They operate their own Engineering Training Centre Awards, recognising people for achievements such as Mechanical Learner of the Year.

The charity has recently made a significant addition to their Bradford facilities in the form of a new training centre. This centre will allow up to 78 students to receive training and education in a range of areas every day, and is being implemented in response to the rising number of advanced apprenticeships in the machining, maintenance and welding sectors.

Ultimately, Appris are the experts in providing apprenticeships in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. More and more, apprenticeships are becoming the go-to solution for companies looking to solve the issue of their skills gap, and as such it takes a comprehensive approach from a highly-experienced group to ensure the best outcome for everyone involved.

Any Yorkshire-based companies looking to take on apprentices for the first time, or take their existing scheme to the next level, should get in touch with Appris.

Actionplas

As a truly inspiring example of how manufacturing and engineering apprenticeships are developing, Actionplas are working closely with Appris Charity to handle their apprenticeship scheme in the most effective way possible.

Ruth Gosnay, head of HR at Actionplas, describes Appris as being the perfect solution for any manufacturing or engineering company who are facing a skills gap of some kind. And, undoubtedly, this partnership is proving to be a fruitful one; the company’s current apprentice, whom they took on through Appris, was recently awarded Apprentice of the Year by their college.

“It’s extremely valuable to us,” states Ms. Gosnay. “These young people are able to access more opportunities than ever before thanks to Appris. We have a superb relationship with appris, they have been exceptional.”

Ms. Gosnay goes on to explain how more work needs to be done to make students aware that there are more routeways into work than just attending university. An example of this is how Ms. Gosnay will visit local schools and colleges, talking to students who are not so sure about university and pointing them in the direction of organisations like Appris:

“Another thing which works to our advantage is our local school presence. Appris will work with these schools and find the students who are interested in apprenticeships in engineering, and it’s companies like us who benefit.”

Actionplas are looking to take on another three apprentices soon, and firmly believe that any manufacturer interested in future-proofing should do the same.

Gardner Denver Ltd

However, some companies take a different approach to embracing apprenticeships. Gardner Denver are one such company; they keep their group of trainees small, so that they can focus more on each apprentice and ensure they get a true, representative experience of working with high-pressure air compressors.

Gardner Denver takes their apprentices right through the entire manufacturing process from start to finish. This means that not only will each apprentice spend time with experienced engineers, but they’ll also make the rounds through all other functioning sectors of the company, including after-market support, servicing and repairs, and working within their dedicated refurbishment centre. They’ll also gain valuable experience in working directly with customers.

Peter Satchwell, Sales Director at Gardner Denver Ltd, discusses how giving apprentices such a comprehensive experience allows them to really appreciate the inner-workings and nuances of the company, adding: “We see it as part of our obligation and responsibility to bring new talent through the high-pressure industry.”

Gardner Denver have also won an award for their apprenticeship scheme. Martyn Muddyman, Operations Managing Engineer at GD Ltd, was awarded the Mentor Award in the MGTS Apprentice Awards 2018 for going above and beyond in terms of fostering the interest of young people looking to take their first steps in the manufacturing industry.

Become a member today, or upgrade your membership, with Made in Yorkshire or Made in the Midlands and join our ever-growing collective of top UK manufacturers.

Have a look: Best Practice Networking Event at Pennine Pneumatic Services

Made in Yorkshire News — 18/09/2019

On Tuesday the 17th of September, members of Made in Yorkshire visited Compressed Air Specialists Pennine Pneumatic Services (PPS) Ltd in West Yorkshire to hear about their best practices during a networking breakfast.

Pennine Pneumatic Services, which was established back in 1991, currently employs over 50 staff and goes beyond being more than just a compressed air supplier, PPS are market-leading providers of designs, supplies, installation and service.

Based out of the Brighouse area of West Yorkshire, the company is an Atlas Copco premier distributor with Carbon Trust accreditation. Their business aim is to reduce a companies cost and environmental impact via energy audits, plus provide friendly assistance in the form of 24/7 breakdown cover and service support.

Guests were welcomed from 8 am with a selection of fresh tea, coffee and pastries before the first networking session took place. From 8:30 am, the great ice-breaker that is the sixty-second pitch from all attendees took place. This allowed them to showcase their company, offering other members the ability to highlight areas of collaboration.

During the presentation given nye PPS Ltd, four areas of focus were highlighted on, including:

Adding manufacturing capabilities
Diversifying the services on offer
The importance of staff engagement for a growing workforce
How they keep their focus on offering energy-efficient solutions

You can check out the full gallery of images from the event below. Once again, a big thank you to Pennine Pneumatic Services for hosting us and to all the members who attended.

Click here to view all the photos.

While at the event we spoke to the Managing Director of Pennine Pneumatic Services, Ian Harrison to ask him all about the event, including why he thinks these events are a highlighted feature of their Made in Yorkshire membership.

Do you want to attend an event? Our Best Practice events are a great chance to meet Made in Yorkshire members, Managing Directors and CEO's of the manufacturing businesses in the Yorkshire area. If you’re a member, you can see a list of upcoming Yorkshire events over on our Eventbrite page.

The Top 5 Social Media Microsites

Made in Yorkshire News — 13/01/2020

Takeaway Tips to Boost Your Microsite:

Insert a clear banner image featuring company logo
Link to all (active) social channels
Use consistent, professional headshots in “Team” section
Upload articles every 4-8 weeks (minimum)
Showcase testimonials from industry professionals
Use unique content
Reach out to the Made in Group team for help!

Personalised social media microsites are an excellent means of advertising your business, posting recent news and boosting brand awareness. With a social media microsite, you can capture visitors from the Made in Yorkshire homepage, utilise the search directory to contact relevant companies, capitalise on the vast array of external links to your unique digital space and much more.

A microsite can be defined as a branded webpage that exists outside of your company’s homepage and brand URL. Through the use of a social media microsite, Made in Yorkshire members are able to reap the benefits of a self-contained website with their own personalised URL.

Thanks to the easy to follow user admin dashboard, members are able to populate their own space on site in any way they please. Depending on your overall brand strategy, there are many ways in which you may wish to cultivate your microsite.

Keep reading to discover the top 5 Made in Yorkshire social media microsites which have caught our eye.

1. Schneider Electric

Alongside leading the digital transformation of energy management and automation, this member is leading the line when it comes to having a social media microsite which ticks all of the major boxes.

Schneider Electric has impressively managed to comply with all aspects of the profile strength calculator, through regularly using their account, frequently posting news articles and filling in all of the necessary information regarding their business nature — resulting in a perfect score of 100%.

2. ROCOL

This industrial lubrication expert is an exemplary case study to focus on the self-promotion benefits of a social media microsite. ROCOL have taken advantage of the ability to freely move the different sections of the microsite by putting testimonials at the top of their page, showcasing a number of strong endorsements from industry specialists.

ROCOL have also utilised their digital platform’s self-promotion capabilities through making their regularly updated Twitter feed a major part of the page.

3. Cirrus Research

These noise measurement innovators have made the most of the wide-reaching capabilities of their social media microsite with style. Cirrus Research’s microsite has caught our eye due to its striking aesthetics and concise information.

What is particularly impressive about Cirrus Research’s microsite is the attention to detail placed on their banner image. Their team over in North Yorkshire have placed extra care in editing an image so that the white font stands in bold ahead of the darkened background. Alongside this, they also have inserted a wholly relevant YouTube section, all possible social links and well-written copy.

4. Hazel 4D

The ability to promote news content throughout the manufacturing community is one of the major benefits of having a social media microsite. All news which is posted by members to the site will be added to our weekly newsletter and also shared with over 20,000 followers on social media.

Innovative packaging suppliers Hazel 4D have took advantage of these wide-reaching benefits by regularly championing recent business success stories and keeping the industry up to date with recent news. It is worth bearing in mind that the best bits of news are also shared within our quarterly magazine publication to 11,500 people across The Midlands and Yorkshire.

5. OE Electrics Ltd

When social media microsites are not cultivated effectively, you run the risk your business coming across as somewhat impersonal. However, when utilised effectively, this digital platform can be a fantastic way of connecting with hundreds of members and visitors on a monthly basis and getting across your company ethos in the process.

OE Electrics Ltd deserve a special mention for bringing a particularly human element to their microsite through the remarkable use of the “Meet the Team” section. These experts in designing and manufacturing power and data distribution solutions have used this section to give an insight into their teams’ personality, with each member of staff pictured with what they love.

Be it a cricket bat, skateboard, guitar, yorkshire terrier or a framed picture of their family —these members have done an excellent job of making their personalities known to the manufacturing community.

Supercharge Your Microsite Today

Firstly, congratulations to all of our members who have made this list of the top 5 social media microsites! We based our criteria on a variety of factors, as means of highlighting the different ways in which members could make the most of the digital platform's limitless potential.

Solely creating a “micro” version of your company homepage, which is refined to appeal more specifically to the Made in Yorkshire network and achieve your membership goals, is perhaps the most common strategy seen here. However, microsites more broadly are often used as a means of promoting new products and experimenting with rebranding. This is because the more temporal and easily changeable nature of microsites, compared to a company homepages, make them a great platform for exploring new opportunities within a safe environment.

Regardless of which strategy you take, there are certain fundamentals which members should strive towards. Using unique copy, inserting clear images which promote your business logo and linking to all relevant social channels are some of the fundamentals which members should be building their microsite from.

For more help with making the most of Made in Yorkshire's innovative web platform and boosting visibility through your personalised social media microsite, please get in touch with our digital team today.

3 reasons to attend The Made in the Yorkshire Expo as a manufacturer

Made in Yorkshire News — 24/01/2020

At the Made in Group, we are all about championing British manufacturing and celebrating what the sector has to offer. The Made in Yorkshire exhibition sees over 100 exhibitors from the manufacturing supply chain and over 1,000 decision-makers, with an array of experience, expertise and knowledge all in one place, as a manufacturer, you will not want to miss out on this esteemed event!

Each year the Made in Group holds an exhibition in Yorkshire, and is one of the biggest showcases of manufacturing in the UK. This year the event will take place in the Leeds at the Century Pavilion on May 21st, 2020.

There are a number of reasons why you should attend the Made in Yorkshire Expo as a manufacturer from seminars by industry-leading experts to networking with fellow people from the sector. It is a great opportunity to learn more best practices and make new connections. We have narrowed it down to the top three reasons why this exhibition is important if you are a manufacturer or in the engineering sector.

Keep reading to find out why you should attend the MIY Expo...

1. The biggest showcase of manufacturing in Yorkshire

The exhibition taking place later this year is a great place to meet SMEs, global manufacturers and suppliers, including well-known names such as Victor Manufacturing, Pryor Marking Technologies and GoPrint3D. With so many exhibitors present, if you are looking for a new supplier you are bound to meet your match here. Our members are all based in Yorkshire, therefore you will be sure to find a supplier nearby, along with saving cost and the environment. Made in Yorkshire member John Kirwin, from Penman said: "We managed to meet and talk with a great number of companies and learnt what a great manufacturing base we have in the region. Thank you also from my French guests who were also suitably impressed!"

2. Discover the benefits of Industry 4.0

There is no doubt that companies installing automation systems, including vision technologies and robots or cobots are seeing the benefits through improved productivity. In business, there is a constant drive to find ever-more efficient design and production processes and many business owners are looking at digitalisation and automation to find those gains and get ahead of the competition. The MIY Expo will showcase companies who offer automated solutions to manufacturers by increasing usage of both manpower and machines. You will also hear from industry leaders who can advise you on automation and the importance of digitalisation.

3. Help champion the manufacturing sector!

If you are as passionate about UK manufacturing as we are, come along and help us bang the drum for manufacturing. Discover all of the best things that truly are Made in Yorkshire including examples of cutting edge technology and metalworking fluid. Despite the continuing economic uncertainty around Brexit, there are positive things happening in the manufacturing sector including continuous investments and efforts to close the skills gap with more and more companies taking on apprentices.

Join us on May 21st 2020 and see for yourself what it is all about. You can get your tickets, for free, today!

Made Equal sees relaunch at E3 Recruitment for Yorkshire members

Made in Yorkshire News — 24/02/2020

Last Friday, on the 21st of February 2020, Made in Yorkshire members attended the relaunch of the Inclusivity campaign, now titled Made Equal, at Patrons E3 Recruitment.

During the event, members were given an in-depth talk from E3 Recruitment where a range of topics including hiring, addressing mental health and inclusivity, were discussed.

Speaking on behalf of E3 Recruitment was Chrissie Gale, Head of People and Organisation Development at E3 Recruitment. She talked about the importance of the campaign saying, "When we are recruiting we need to make sure that recruitment, selection and employment should be fair, and equitable for everyone that applies for a job."

But as either an employee or employer, do you know what we mean by being diverse and inclusive? That was the first question proposed by Chrissie who challenged the attendees to name the 9 protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. In case you didn't know they are:

Race
Gender
Age
Sexuality
Disability
Gender Reassignment
Religion
Marital Status
Pregnancy and Maternity

But as members soon discovered that list is not complete. In her examples, Chrissie mentioned the arguments being put forward to make Ethical Veganism the tenth protected characteristic. While other hot-topics such as the Menopause and Obesity were also discussed as subjects that employees need to make sure they're aware of.

Moving on, the group was then introduced to the Gender Decoder, a free-to-use online resource that will gender check your job advert for masculine or feminine words.

To increase the inclusivity of your job advert, you'll want to make sure you target both genders, female and male. However, subliminally you may be using keywords that target one gender over another.

One member who has used this service is Balmoral Tanks. When asked about their use of the software, Nicola Wagstaff the HR Advisor said that "We had a job advert for South Wales and when we sent the advert over to the site we found that it was for a feminine role."

The site came to this conclusion because it states, as an example, words such as Driven, Intellect, Logic and Adventurous are masculine-coded words while Collab, Honest, Yield and Connect are feminine-coded words.

Once you upload your job advert to the website, it will tell you whether your use of keywords leans your advert towards a more masculine or feminine structure. Likewise, it will also highlight what words are causing that tilt, allowing you to easily change the advert so that you can secure the all-important gender-neutral stance for your advert.

But in the face of increasing diversity and inclusivity, can you positively discriminate? If your workforce is 100% men, would you be able to advertise for a woman to increase your diversity?

This was something that one member, Joanna Dodd, the Legal Director of Clarion Solicitors, answered, saying, "From a legal point of view, people sometimes ask me if you can positively discriminate. The simple answer is no. You can't employ somebody because of their gender because that's discrimination.

The other side of the coin is positive action where you can deliberately target a certain group. For instance, you could code your adverts to be more feminine or equally you could place your adverts in places where there will be more people of a certain ethnicity. However, when it comes to the interview, everyone must be treated the same."

But, if you're reading this today, what positive actions could you, as an employer take? In her closing remarks, Chrissie discussed the Disability Confidence Scheme, link to their website is here, where you can get free help to recruit and retain 'great people.'

Run by the government, if you sign-up to the scheme you'll get a trained representative will give you a call to help you improve employee morale and commitment, secure high-quality staff while also drawing from the widest possible pool of talent.

In the words of Chrissie, "You can have somebody working in your business or team who is doing everything that they should be doing, but they're withholding their discretionary behaviour.

It's very clear about the importance of having the right managers in place to make sure that they are bringing the policies within your organisation to life."

On the other side of the coin, what if you're an employee? In this case, Chrissie introduced the attendees to the ABLE Futures project (See their website here).

This free service is for both employers and employees who want free, confidential mental health support. Once you've signed up, you'll get a range of support including regular check-ins, via text and even calls, where they'll make sure that you're doing ok.

After the presentation finished, members were given a book from the Made in Yorkshire team, which aims to help them think about diversity and inclusivity beyond the event. The book titled, Thank you for the Feedback, was introduced by Made in Group staff member, Iwona Sobolewska, who discussed its themes with the group.

Speaking after the event, Shaun Heys from ITW Rocol shared his reaction to his colleague, Joshua Gledhill attending the event saying, "Great to see colleagues supporting diversity and inclusion within the Yorkshire industry. Bringing back ideas of how we improve D&I within our own business and industry sector."

If you're a member of Made in Yorkshire, keep your eye out on our upcoming events, as we'll be announcing the date of our second #MadeEqual event in the coming weeks.

The evolution of modern manufacturing in West Yorkshire: From tradition to transformation

Made in Yorkshire News — 19/02/2024

The manufacturing sector in West Yorkshire has a long and storied history, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Today, according to figures from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Yorkshire has over 6000 manufacturing and engineering businesses, many are specialists in advanced processes, R&D and product development. These businesses employ 117,000 people, representing one of the largest manufacturing bases in the UK and generating over £7 billion a year.

Modern manufacturing revolution

When you think about weaving in West Yorkshire, quaint images of old-world mills may spring to mind. Indeed, the history of West Yorkshire as a whole has been deeply intertwined with textiles and wool going as far back as the 14th century, but the modern reality couldn’t be more different.

The School of Design at the University of Leeds hosts the £1.7 million 3D Weaving Innovation Centre (3D WIC). The 3D WIC was supported by the European Regional Development Fund, and it is revolutionising the world of woven textiles and pushing the boundaries of traditional weaving techniques and associated technologies.

Led by Dr Lindsey Waterton Taylor, the 3D WIC is at the forefront of developing two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) 2D-to-3D weaving methods that promise to transform various industries. From fashion to aerospace, the applications of 3D weaving are vast and game-changing. Imagine a fabric that can not only be woven with intricate surface detail but also possess structural integrity and enhanced functionality via tailoring the yarn interlockings in the width, length and depth.

One of the key advantages of 3D weaving is its ability to create complex shapes and structures with ease. This opens up a world of possibilities for design engineering, allowing the creation of lightweight, tailored to near-net-shapes yet robust woven materials that were previously unimaginable. With its pioneering spirit and dedication to excellence, the Centre for 3D Weaving Innovation is set to transform industries and inspire the next generation of textile pioneers. Dr Lindsey Waterton Taylor explains:

“Typically, woven cloth is manufactured in a continuous length, and width wound/housed on a take-up beam at the front of the weaving technology. We now look to on-loom design-engineering to weave near-net-shapes that may be taken up by this front beam, or table to aid shaping, rather than standard flat wovens. Consider apparel and garment production, the woven cloth is usually cut and sewed to create the fashion silhouette, or even a car exterior shell.

“In other words, we are now revolutionising weaving principles, processes, and technologies, from the design and engineering stages from simple maquettes to computer-generated 3D geometries for production, and manufacture using the latest weaving technologies. The Weaving Innovation Centre presents an exciting opportunity to embed sustainability and near-to-zero-waste principles into textile manufacturing.”

The right chemistry

European funding to the tune of £1.6m, also from the European Regional Development Fund has contributed to the chemicals sector too. A four-year project designed to give small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) access to some of the world’s most advanced scientific analysis was called Project CAYMAN (Chemistry Assets for Yorkshire Manufacturing). Designed by academics at the University of Bradford’s Centre for Chemical and Biological Analysis, it began as a three-year initiative funded by £1.6 million from the European Regional Development Fund, with half that cost matched by the University. It was extended a further nine months based on its phenomenal success.

Between 2019 and 2023, the project helped 65 small and medium-sized businesses gain access to the highly technical scientific analysis of materials using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, an analytical chemistry technique used in quality control and research for determining the content and purity of a sample as well as for examining the molecular structure of different materials. The project gave SMEs access to some of the world’s most advanced scientific analysis and many of those SMEs used the analysis to develop new products, which in turn has the potential to create jobs in the region.

Dr Richard Telford, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Life Sciences, who is Director of the Centre for Chemical and Biological Analysis, said: “Project CAYMAN has provided an excellent means for the University of Bradford to engage with regional SMEs and given us the opportunity to showcase not only our facilities and expertise, but convey how high-level analytical science can be of benefit to developing industrial processes."

He added: “Project CAYMAN successfully met all its ERDF output targets, which, considering a large part of this project was conducted under COVID restrictions, was a major achievement. The success has demonstrated the University's capability to deliver regeneration projects and will provide a great platform to do so again.”

Project CAYMAN has now been succeeded by Project SIBLING (Scientific Instrumentation for Business Leadership in Innovation and Growth), a £1.9 million programme which is co-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocated via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

Helping SME manufacturers avoid the risks of being agile but fragile

Another example of higher education supporting manufacturing businesses can be found in Huddersfield. Professor Liz Towns-Andrews OBE, Director of Research and Enterprise and the University of Huddersfield, has been instrumental in securing European funding to create the new 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC), a flagship hub, supporting spin-in and spin-out companies, linked to the University and providing access to the markets, finance, skills and technology that SMEs are seeking. The Centre sets out to act as a catalyst to promote business-to-business and business-to-higher education collaborations.

The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield was established more than a decade ago as a wholly owned subsidiary company of the University of Huddersfield and as a vehicle for facilitating collaborative relationships between the University and industry. The vision for the centre, which primarily serves regional SMEs, was a ‘spin-in’ type model to co-locate businesses alongside the University and provide a one-stop-shop. The centre showcases the University’s expertise and centres of excellence especially in the area of advanced manufacturing.

Professor Towns-Andrews is passionate about the support the Centre provides: “For many SMEs, cash flow and access to finance is a challenge, especially in the manufacturing sector, where technology is evolving rapidly. The size of an SME means that they can be relatively agile and respond to opportunities quite quickly but the cash flow and finance issues can render them quite fragile. An example of the ‘agile but fragile’ concept is the prohibitive cost of technology which may soon become outdated. In response to this, the 3M BIC offers access to technology which is key for the sector, in particular metal 3D printers and associated X-ray imaging equipment.

“Rather than a business investing significant capital in a metal 3D printer, the 3M BIC offers access on a per-job basis and an in-house designer to support companies develop ideas. This approach significantly de-risks the finance issue for business whilst at the same time giving them a route to explore the advantages of new technologies for the business.”

Adopting digital technologies to increase productivity and improve sustainability

The Shire Bed Company, based in Dewsbury, was founded in 1997 and the family-run business prides itself on manufacturing the best possible mattresses, bases and headboards using the finest materials and experienced crafters. Their goal is to provide the highest quality at exceptional value. They service three main sectors: contract, high-street (domestic) and internet trade. Fara Butt is a former secondary school teacher who joined the company as a director in 2004, driving business growth. Today she is also chair of the West Yorkshire Manufacturing Advisory Board. Fara is a strong believer in how the adoption of digital technologies can increase productivity and improve sustainability:

“The two most important things in manufacturing are productivity and sustainability. The use of digital technologies to improve productivity is key to making our manufacturing sector competitive worldwide. Furthermore, being more productive should lead to sustainable wins, whether that’s through energy efficiencies or smart production methods and materials. The two aspects should go hand in hand.”

Responsibility rather than choice

The increasing focus on sustainability presents both challenges and opportunities for the manufacturing sector in West Yorkshire. Consumers are demanding environmentally friendly products, and businesses need to adapt to meet these expectations. Implementing sustainable manufacturing practices, such as reducing waste, optimising energy usage, and adopting circular economy principles, can not only help protect the environment but also improve cost-efficiency and attract eco-conscious consumers.

Andrew Taylor, Managing Director of Specialist Glass Products in Huddersfield shares:“At Specialist Glass Products, embracing sustainability is not just a choice but a responsibility. As one of the UK’s leading glass manufacturers, it’s important that we do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint, NOX emissions, and raw material usage to protect our environment.

“Last year, we recycled 1,365 bags of cullet glass from our factory using the Saint Gobain Glass Forever programme, resulting in an impressive prevention of 542 tonnes of CO2 polluting the atmosphere and the saving of enough energy to power an average home for 387 years! Upholding our dedication to net zero goals, we've recently enhanced our polishing lines by investing in cutting-edge machinery. This not only streamlines production but also significantly reduces time and energy expenditures.”

Founded in Bradford in 1888, but now based in Leeds and with an additional site in St Helens, Widd Signs has a long-established reputation for innovation, design, excellence, and honesty. The same founding values run through the business today and now in the 21st Century, Widd Signs is also committed to sustainability as a guiding principle for its work.

Widd Signs operates in an industry previously known for being wasteful. Traditionally, materials required to create signage include environmentally unfriendly virgin plastics, acrylic and solvents, with much of the product ending up in landfill. However, Widd Signs has become a pioneer in the sector, leading the way forward in offering sustainable signage.

The company encourages its clients to consider renewable technologies, plus recyclable and alternative materials which are much kinder to the planet; as well as leading by example and operating two busy yet carbon-neutral manufacturing facilities following its investment in energy-efficient measures and machinery. This includes hundreds of solar photovoltaic panels to both its Leeds HQ and St Helens manufacturing facilities, a hybrid vehicle fleet and a £200,000 investment in boosting the acquired North West site's energy-saving measures, adding insulation, new windows and doors.

Gary Williams, Widd Signs’ Managing Director is conscious of the need for sustainability:

“Widd Signs has a long history in delivering quality signage, and whilst these founding values remain, we’re conscious that the environment cannot suffer as a result of our work.

“We’re committed to working with our suppliers and clients to source the best sustainable signage solutions, from solar-powered totems to environmentally friendly materials to ensure the signage we create and deliver is a quality product which will last years to come.”

Louise O’Brien is the Managing Director of Greyhound Box, a trusted supplier of corrugated cases. Specialising in consultation, bespoke design, and expert manufacturing of packaging, Greyhound Box’s solutions have sustainability at their core.

“Increasing the sustainability of the manufacturing process has been one of the major trends that we’re currently seeing within the wider industry at the moment. With many looking towards implementing new technologies and processes that will help them ensure their businesses' resilience to future Government regulations surrounding sustainability. I think this is a positive change within the industry, and one that we here at Greyhound Box are really excited about. Sustainability has always been at the forefront of what we do, so seeing others jump on board to become greener is great to witness.

“On top of improving their sustainability credentials, another thing that we’re seeing more of, within the industry, is a holistic approach to ensuring business resilience. Internally, we here at Greyhound Box are focusing on both our workplace organisation and the long-term training of staff members to ensure that we are not only at the top of our game for our customers, but also able to withstand changes in the larger market.”

E3 Recruitment is a patron of Made in Group, having led the provision of talent solutions for their members since 2018. James Soden is a Director and Business partner at the company.

“We've been working with one particular Huddersfield-based manufacturing client for several years. They were looking at the demographics of their existing workforce, and, at the time, they had a workforce in the business that was about 5% of South Asian heritage, but when you consider Huddersfield as a whole, the actual demographic at that time was closer to 15%. We've since spent time working with the client on how we can address that to be more representative of the local population in the workforce.”

The power of community

Andy Dawson is Managing Director at Brighouse-based Siddall & Hilton, a long-established manufacturer of welded wire mesh for perimeter fencing, industrial fabrication and construction applications. The company has been in existence for 126 years and they are the biggest welding mesh manufacturer in the UK. Employing 55 people, the company will process 16,000 tons of steel per year with a turnover of £28 million.

The company manufactures for three market sectors, construction mesh, and industrial mesh but its largest area is fencing and perimeter security. This is used in anything from demarcation for schools and parks, to high-security installations for nuclear infrastructure and prisons, including a high-security prison in Singapore. They also export to markets such as Saudi Arabia.

Andy is a believer in the power of community in business: "SMEs, not just in West Yorkshire, are struggling and facing significant turbulence in terms of cost of living, cost of energy, and cost of supply chains. It is challenging. So, in terms of manufacturing, you have to keep improving and honing your model and keep developing people. In the last ten years recruitment and culture in business is even more important than it's ever been.

"People view their employer, their colleagues and peers as a community because over the last decade, maybe a little bit longer, communities have broken down so people don't interact in the same way they used to. People don’t join social clubs and there are no such things as street parties anymore, or very few, so the place of employment is the community hub where people come and interact with one another, so that's a vital part of the community. Companies need to focus on culture and they need to get that right.”

When it comes to being a member of Made in Yorkshire, Andy is adamant that community is key here too: “I'm incredibly keen on networking and I'm immensely proud of what we do and how we do it here. I'm also immensely proud when I can showcase the business and invite other manufacturers to experience it. And I'm always keen to learn. I like visiting other businesses and understanding just how they do it too. We all have something to learn from one another. It's the way that you do it that makes all the difference.”

Expanding markets

West Yorkshire's manufacturing sector has a significant opportunity to expand its export market. With a strong reputation for quality and technical expertise, businesses in the region can tap into international markets and increase their global presence. The government's support for export initiatives and trade missions can help businesses navigate the complexities of international trade and access new markets.

UK valve design and manufacturing company, Blackhall Engineering, was founded in 1965. Today it has a broad base of expertise, particularly within the water, power, oil and gas, and cryogenics industries. They aim to combine their extraordinary heritage with tailored innovation, providing valve solutions for clients all over the world. Their ‘valvologists®’ build long-term relationships through trust and professionalism, manufacturing valves that provide ultimate longevity for any fluid, any temperature and any pressure.

Managing director, James Blackhall shares the reason their West Yorkshire location works so well for the company: “At Blackhall Engineering, we've long been champions of Yorkshire's manufacturing prowess, supplying and crafting the world's largest valves with a deep commitment to local industry. Our supply chain is rooted in the north, leveraging the rich heritage and expertise found in Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, and beyond.

“Embracing Through-life Engineering Services (TES) reflects our dedication to innovation and quality throughout the valves’ life. The Blackhall ethos is a testament to our support for 'Made in Yorkshire' products, ensuring that our valves not only lead in performance but also in longevity, reliability and safety. This approach strengthens our local ties, highlighting the importance of supporting regional craftsmanship and engineering that stands the test of time.”

Over in Leeds, Sound Leisure has been manufacturing high-quality jukeboxes in Yorkshire since 1978. Still family-owned, the company remains one of only two traditional jukebox manufacturers in the world. Export is critical to the business. Chris Black, Managing Director explains: “We're international. It's just finding that next country and that next large customer. We deal with distributors around the world rather than trying to sell directly. We prefer to set up an arrangement with a distribution partner in the region. We've successfully done that in Germany this year, which has been fantastic. We're exporting to China, Japan, Thailand, America, Europe etc, so we're quite well spread. For us, the opportunities are finding new markets and then deciding how best to access them.”

Weight expectations

A newcomer to Yorkshire is WOMAG Weighing, a company that supports manufacturers across the UK with all of their weighing requirements, from consultancy and design, to servicing and calibration. Tom Marren, Director at WOMAG, explained why the Midlands-founded company decided to expand into Yorkshire: “Our new Huddersfield office is an exciting part of our expansion plans at WOMAG Weighing as we look to grow our presence in the UK. The location is a superb fit, offering a fantastic location for our growing team. Our company has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and with us now working with more customers in the north of the country, opening an additional new site in Huddersfield was the perfect next move.

“We work closely with our weighing manufacturing partners and distributors to provide affordable weighing equipment and bespoke weighing solutions, plus calibration and preventative maintenance services. Our mix of weighing services allows us to work as a partner to our customers, providing them with a full end-to-end weighing service that’s underpinned by years of experience and driven by the latest innovation and technologies.

“With the opening of our new site in Huddersfield, we’ll be able to offer more of these services across Yorkshire. As we expand, we look forward to recruiting locally and growing the WOMAG team in Huddersfield, plus becoming an integral part of the regional business community.”

True grit and a bright future

In conclusion, the manufacturing sector in West Yorkshire is a shining example of adaptability, resilience, and ingenuity. Despite facing numerous challenges post-Brexit and post-COVID, such as economic fluctuations, skills shortages and energy price hikes, the SME manufacturers in this region have shown remarkable flexibility and the ability to evolve with the times. Their commitment to innovation and continuous improvement has allowed them to stay competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

The true grit of West Yorkshire's manufacturers serves as a testament to the region's industrial strength and its bright manufacturing future.

Header image: 3D Weaving Innovation Centre. Credit - Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour

Made in Yorkshire supports Inclusivity Campaigner

Made in Yorkshire News — 21/09/2018

Made in Yorkshire supported Inclusivity Campaigner, BASF during a visit to the Jamiyat Mosque in Bradford.

Hussain, the Imam, commended the company for taking the initiative and connecting with the city’s diverse community.

The theme of integration is one of the founding principles of the Inclusivity Campaign. It is about maximising the potential of a business by ensuring its entire workforce regardless of their age, religion, sexual orientation and physical & mental ability feels respected, valued and engaged. In doing so, the Made in Group believes these businesses will be better motivated to do the best for their business.

Whilst targeted at manufacturing companies, the aims of the campaign do extend into the non-engineering sector.

Just this week, the campaign has concluded a sponsorship deal with the Community Programme arm of League One football club, Walsall FC.

Ironically, earlier this Walsall along with Bradford were two of five areas of the UK chosen by the government to pilot a new scheme aimed at improving integration between communities and ethnic groups.

Of the mosque visit, Made in Yorkshire director Chrissie Gale said: “I really enjoyed this meeting and I would like to thank Jamiyat Mosque for being so welcoming and open.”

She said the age of worshippers was mainly between 20 and 50 years old and the building was very busy on a Friday when around 1,400 people come to pray.

“It was an extremely worthwhile visit and hopefully, the start of a relationship which may fill much needed vacancies and support the local community,” added Chrissie.

Lord Whitby appointed chairman of Made in Yorkshire

Made in Yorkshire News — 12/11/2018

The Made in Group - which includes Made in Yorkshire (MIY) - is delighted to announce the appointment of Lord Whitby of Harborne as its new Chairman.

The appointment is effective immediately.

Lord Whitby, who has been non-executive chairman of MIY’s sister network, Made in the Midlands since 2016, has strong links to Yorkshire and extensive experience within the manufacturing sector having run his own manufacturing business.

Best known as the leader of Birmingham City Council, Lord Whitby's career has spanned politics and manufacturing. Previously, Lord Whitby has held directorships at the EEF (Engineering Employers Federation), Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Business.

Lord Whitby is a strong supporter of the UK industrial sector and also has a passion for giving back to society. In his younger years he undertook a period of voluntary work in Germany, helping to rebuild communities destroyed during World War II. This ethos of helping others continued into public service within local and now, national government and also in his continued support of the Made in Group.

Jason Pitt, CEO Made in Group said, "I am delighted Mike has agreed to take up this post, it is also fantastic for Yorkshire to have an additional voice and advocate in Westminster.

“The Made in Group is proud to be able to include Yorkshire within Lord Whitby's remit and

Yorkshire members will have the opportunity of meeting their new chairman at the MIY Christmas Drinks on the 29th November."

Lord Whitby said: “I am delighted to be asked to take up the role as Made in Yorkshire chairman, especially at such an important time for the organisation.

“The UK’s manufacturing industry is facing a period of change and it is important that the voice of the Yorkshire manufacturing sector is heard.

“Our new Made Report has shown that confidence levels within the manufacturing sector are high, despite what people may read in the national media and I want to make sure that the needs of the Made in Yorkshire members are represented at the highest level.

“I look forward to meeting the Made in Yorkshire members and working with them in the years ahead.”

Made in Yorkshire 2020 Exhibition Looks to the Future of Manufacturing

Made in Yorkshire News — 23/09/2019

The Made in Yorkshire exhibition is set to return on May 21st 2020 at The Centenary Pavilion on Eland Road in Leeds. Returning for its fourth year, the exhibition will bring together over 100 Manufacturing exhibitors from around the Yorkshire geographical area for a day-long event filled with networking, company stands, and key-note speeches.

Working alongside our patrons and sponsors, including Lloyds Bank, Tudor International Freight, E3R, and BHP Charted Accountants, among others, the Made in Yorkshire 2020 expo will see over 100 exhibitors come together to network and display their products and services in a fantastic community setting where over a thousand national and local industry leaders will be attending.

The Made in Yorkshire exhibition provides a shared space for the Yorkshire manufacturing industry to come together and share both a platform and the opportunity to network, share ideas, and listen to talks from key industry members.

The Made in Yorkshire Exhibition has seen continues year-on-year growth, with 2020 being the biggest ever. As testimonials from exhibitors from last year show, this day-long exhibition offers an exciting platform for networking and business growth.

"We managed to meet and talk with a great number of companies and learnt what a great manufacturing base we have in the region. Thank you also from my French guests who were also suitably impressed!" - John Kirwin - Commercial Director - Penmann

"Not being a natural when coming to networking, I found the event relaxed and very friendly. I met and chatted to some good people and some good companies... and possibly some new suppliers!" - Russell Hunter - Procurement Controller - SIGMAT

"It was fantastic to see the diverse range of manufacturing being undertaken in the region and being despatched for use globally." - Iain Stansbie - Head of UK Marketing - Stauff

“Of the many trade shows that Pryor exhibit at, Made in Yorkshire is the most enjoyable to participate in, with the organisers genuinely working to help us grow sales of the products that we manufacture in Yorkshire.” - Alistair Morris - Sales Director - Pryor Making Technology

This year, we’re excited to announce that as we look towards the close of the ‘Tweenies’ decade and move onto the ‘Twenties’, we will have a dedicated space on the showroom floor that will play host to a focus on Manufacturing in the Digital Age. This area will feature specialised and curated content that will give you 2020 vision into what the future of manufacturing will look like.

Made in Yorkshire is a family of manufacturers from the Yorkshire area, and our group works with some of the largest OEMs and tier-one suppliers in the country. This membership, coupled with the fact that many members sit on the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group, means that those attending are the leading voice in manufacturing, not only in Yorkshire but in the greater country, giving UK politicians a rounded view from industry.

The event will feature members from all across the Yorkshire area including those in the field of:

Industrial Lubricants - Pennine Lubricants
Packaging and Shipping - Greyhound Box Ltd, Tudor International Freight Ltd.
Energy - Pennine Pneumatic Services Ltd., Envirovent
3D Printing - Go Print 3D
Compressed Air - BOGE Compressors, Simm Engineering
Productivity - IT@Spectrum and The One Point, Jungheinrich UK Ltd.
Apprenticeships - Appris Management Ltd.

We look forward to sharing more news with you as we move closer to the event but in the meantime, you can grab your tickets from Eventbrite here. But, if you're curious as to what you can expect from the event, why not take a look at the highlights video of the 2019 exhibition below:

Made to hold a Social Gala once Coronavirus crisis is over

Made in Yorkshire News — 06/04/2020

CEO of the Made in Group, Jason Pitt, recently announced the cancellation of the annual Made in Group exhibitions due to current circumstances. However, following this, the group announced that they will be holding an immersive virtual exhibition called Backing Britain Live 2020 which includes all of the benefits of a physical event, minus the risk. Guests will have the opportunity to network with exhibiting manufacturers and receive a goodie bag which includes the Backing Britain book - showcasing exhibitors and manufacturing heroes.

One of the major aspects of the Made in Group is the social events they hold regularly through the year, in the name of networking, celebrating and best practice. Therefore Jason recently declared, in a letter to members followed by a video, that the Group has plans to hold a massive celebration once it is safe to do so. Though they can not confirm a date yet, Jason said:

“We want to do a mega social gala for everybody - free beers, free dinner and whatever we can afford. We want to put on the best event we possibly can, to thank our members because what people are going through now is incredibly tough and we need to keep spirits as high as possible. I look forward to the day we can announce the date of the event.”

In the recent letter to members of the Made group, Jason mentioned that the event will merge every social event the group has ever done and made the social gala “something extraordinary.” In his last comments in the letter he said:

“I want to thank every member and director and employee of the Made community, we are resilient, and we will get through this.

It is more important than ever that we keep the community connected, informed, and we must be vigilant. If you can work together, now is the time to share resources, reach out to one another and stay safe.”

You can find out more about the Backing Britain Live event, due to take place over two weeks in August by heading to: www.backingbritain.com. For tickets to the event, go to https://bit.ly/3ayv9DH.

#Introducing: Siddall & Hilton Products Ltd

Made in Yorkshire News — 11/09/2019

We would like to introduce one of our newest members to the Made in Group, Siddall & Hilton Products Ltd. Welcome to the Made in Yorkshire!

Siddall & Hilton Products Ltd are the UK's largest manufacturer of welded wire mesh, they specialise in the mesh panels that are an integral part to secure fencing, providing to fencing system manufacturers and installers, steel stockholders, and fabricators. Chances are that you've seen, but may not have been aware, of their products being used around the country from high-security places including RAF bases and prisons to general fencing mesh around industrial sites.

Currently, the company is based on its site in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, where the company employs 53 people.

Started by Rowland Siddal in l898 in Sowerby Bridge, the company originally manufactured mattress springs, before moving into beds - supplying beds in field hospitals during World War 1) - tramcar and motor vehicle seating, with the automotive element being divested in the 1950s. Eventually, the company was split into two divisions – one specialising in hospital beds and equipment and the other in wire products, such as coat hangers, bucket and container handles, butchers’ hooks, wire ties, razor barb wire and furniture/upholstery springs. Following on from the split, Siddall & Hilton Products Ltd is the wire products side of the business.

Since the late 1980s, when the company moved into wire mesh production, the company has gradually divested its wire products operations and as of September 2019, the company are solely focused on welded wire mesh.

The company, which was was bought from the 4th generation Siddall family in November 2015 by partners Neil Stewardson and Ian Thurley. Whilst Neil has left, Ian has now moved into the role of Chief Executive, who when asked why he joined Made in Yorkshire said:

"We are passionate about manufacturing and proud Yorkshiremen (well, most of us are, some come from the ‘wrong’ side of the Pennines!). We are at an exciting and interesting dawn of a new chapter for the company as we seek to further improve our efficiency, develop our employment offering to make it fit for the 21st century and to attract the next generation in order to ensure the long term sustainability of the business. As such we are keen to learn how fellow manufacturers operate as we begin to shape our future. In the longer term we need to diversify the business and so are also beginning to consider what forms this could take and what new directions to move the company in."

Made in Yorkshire takes pride in championing UK manufacturing companies, and we are proud to have this new member with us that has such a long and varied history.

How Beneficial are Microsites for SEO?

Made in Yorkshire News — 21/02/2020

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): The process of increasing the number and quality of visitors to a website through organic search engine results (e.g. Google).

It may come as a surprise to learn that, it is a point of debate amongst digital marketing experts whether generic microsites are inherently a positive for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). Whilst they can be extremely effective in boosting SEO when used correctly, incorrect use of microsites could actually hinder your Google rankings.

But don’t panic yet; becoming aware on how to use your personalised digital platform to the best of its capabilities and consulting with the Made in Yorkshire's expert digital team, are two sure-fire ways to ensure that your social media microsite is in compliance with Google.

Keep reading to discover the method behind the madness of SEO and how this relates to your personalised social media microsite.

The Science Behind Microsites and SEO

Due to the fact that microsites allow you to target a specific audience and rank for specific keywords, they can work wonders for boosting search engine results...

Just simply go and link the new traffic from your microsite back to the main sight and boom — double your conversions over night — right? Not quite. Unfortunately, Google has become way too smart for that.

If it becomes obvious that a site has been created for the sole purpose of providing a company’s main website with backlinks, in order to artificially boost authority and rank keywords — known as a “blackhat SEO” trick — then Google will come down hard on this.

Sites which fall under this classification will be deemed “low quality” and penalised, meaning that your microsite will not bring the potentially lucrative benefits of SEO for your mainsite which it could have done. However, it turns out that avoiding this is actually quite simple:

Google insists that a microsite must have been created for a unique purpose that relates to a business’ overall branding. If it has, then your microsite will bring fantastic results when it comes to your SEO optimisation on both sides of the link.

And even more good news, what would qualify as a unique purpose? A specific product, service, brand or company district — such as operating in a certain region — would all fall under this category of “unique”.

Therefore, Made in Yorkshire members, should they put a bit of time and thought into their content, will have absolutely no problem with using their social media microsite to boost their main website’s SEO rankings.

The Good News for Made in Yorkshire Members

The vast majority of the information available online regarding whether microsites are a positive or negative for SEO are speaking about microsites generally. Therefore, the fact that such strict SEO policing exists in regards to Google penalising incorrect usage of microsite is actually a positive for Made in Yorkshire members.

This is a benefit for Made in Yorkshire members for two reasons:

. Members having the primary domain of “.madeinyorkshire” attached to their microsite means that they are instantly set up to communicate a unique purpose, boosting SEO in the process.
The fact that a Made in Yorkshire microsite is inherently set up to champion and support manufacturing within the region, means that there is an easy opportunity to insert unique, original and SEO-friendly content into members’ digital platforms.

Therefore, the good news is that, thanks to Google’s tight policing of microsites, Made in Yorkshire members are given a rare and exclusive opportunity to boost their SEO rankings with their own personalised social media microsite with an inherently unique purpose.

However, despite this huge headstart Made in Yorkshire members are given over their search engine competitors; the race isn't over. There are still a few things you need to do in order to make absolutely sure Google deems that your microsite serves a truly unique purpose and boost your search engine ranking in the process…

Get Your Microsite SEO Ready Today

As long as Google deems that your microsite serves a unique purpose, with unique content, it will have a wholly positive effect on your company's SEO.

Our digital team can work with you during any and every step of the microsite optimisation process to ensure that you have a personalised, SEO-ready microsite which complies with both your company’s wants and needs, alongside those of Google.

To get the ball rolling on optimising your personalised social media microsite today, please get in touch with the Made in Group’s specialist digital team.

Manufacturing sector gathers in forces to celebrate Backing Britain in Yorkshire

Made in Yorkshire News — 04/12/2019

Made in Yorkshire held their Backing Britain event last week, on 29th November, at Outokumpu in Sheffield with 120 guests present.

Made in Yorkshire member Outokumpu held the monthly Backing Britain event held by the Made in Group. The Backing Britain campaign has been established to eliminate negativity within the manufacturing sector and to act as a beacon of light during times of uncertainty. The campaign will visit a location every month alternating between the Midlands and Yorkshire for the next twelve months.

The second event of its kind, Made in Yorkshire’s Backing Britain event kicked off with refreshments and breakfast in the atrium along with networking in the exhibition hall. Amongst the 8 speakers was Alastair Morris, Sales Director at Pryor, who brought along a laser marking machine. Guests were able to see a live demonstration of pens being engraved with their names on.

Presentations from industry-leading speakers began at 10 am in the conference room. The eight speakers included Marie Cooper, Group CEO of CBE+, David Masters, Group Managing Director of OE Electrics, Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster Air Conditioning, Bradley McBain, Managing Director of MBA Engineering, Alastair Morris, Sales Director of Pryor Marking Technology, Allan Joyce, Managing Director of Balmoral Tanks, Ian Brown Director of Technologies at Teconnex and Ian Holdsworth, Managing Director of Outokumpu.

Introducing the speakers to the stage was Made in Group CEO Jason Pitt and Made in Yorkshire Regional Director Alex Robinson. In a room of over 100 guests, Jason introduced them to the “Find nearby contacts” on Linkedin, this allows people in one space to connect with those nearby with a Linkedin account. This was a great way to introduce guests to each other who are part of the manufacturing sector, something that the Made in Group consistently promotes to create a community within manufacturing.

After, Jason went on to talk about the history of the Made in Group and why the company was created. The group derived from an editorial campaign in the pages of the Business report and was created to bang the drum for the manufacturing sector and challenge the erosion of British industry. Jason said:

“I would like to talk about how the Made in Group was started and why the Backing Britain campaign is around. The reason we launched this is because the public sector got so big, it was enormously competing with the private sector.”

“We realised there is an appetite for a sense of community amongst the manufacturing sector. Communities don’t tend to come together in good times, they came together in times of uncertainty and challenges. I think it is really important for us to unite and see each other as neighbours, which is exactly what Backing Britain is about.”

Keynote speakers then had the opportunity to tell guests why and how they are Backing Britain. Ian Holdsworth, Managing Director of Outokumpu, began the presentations giving guests an insight into Outokumpu’s best practices and how this is helping Britain’s manufacturing sector. Ian said:

“Manufacturing in the UK is a vital component in the UK economy, and in the future must be protected.”

“We support this initiative of Backing Britain as it allows us to share ideas and Best Practices.”

Marie Cooper Group CEO at CBE+ focused on what her company is about and how they are Backing Britain through employing, developing and nurturing local talent. Marie said:

“The big thing for us is developing the next level of success to make our businesses thrive in the future.”

Talking about the current political landscape, Marie added:

“Positivity drives growth and we need to remain positive.”

David Masters, Managing Director at OE Electrics, also spoke heavily on how their company is Backing Britain by investing in local talent and how the company source supply from as many local companies as possible. David said:

“We put all of our money back into the business to support our workforce, that is how we are Backing Britain.”

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster Air Conditioning, spoke about how being part of Made in Yorkshire has benefited their company in making connections and how this is vital for growing your business, Lisa said:

“Making connections has been massive for our business, it is a key to success.”

After a short interval for more networking and refreshments, the speeches continued with Bradley McBain, Managing Director of MBA Engineering who focused on why their company does what they do. Giving an inspiring speech capturing what the manufacturing sector must do in order to back Britain and install faith into each other. Bradley said:

“We hand select the companies we work with to get the best product, whether this is maximum efficiency or quality of service.”

“Let's start thinking about UK manufacturing with an infinite mindset. Let get together and share ideas.”

Alastair Morris, Sales Director of Pryor Marking Technology, Allan Joyce, Managing Director of Balmoral Tanks, and Ian Brown Director of Technologies at Teconnex, all spoke about the growth of their businesses and how they have been continuously Backing Britain. Alan spoke particularly on the power of networking and face to face connection. He said:

“Let’s not lose the art of conversation, there was an article in the BBC news last week that said we send 64 million unnecessary emails per day. If you want to engage people, you won’t do that through email, you will do it through talking.”

Later guests were able to take a look around Outokumpu’s factory to see first hand the company’s capabilities and best practices. Outokumpu can tailor stainless steel into any form and for almost any purpose. Their production facilities are located in Finland, Germany, Sweden, the UK, the USA, and Mexico. The tour included a visit to the polishing shop, cut to length station and coil service centre.

Backing Britain will bring manufacturers numerous opportunities for their voices to be heard not only by other manufacturers but by policymakers and Government at a local and national level.

Want to be part of Backing Britain? Attend the next event at Boneham & Turner on 30th January. Click the link below to get tickets.

https://madeinthemidlands.com/events/83142865549

Made In Group strengthens member support with a new appointment

Made in Yorkshire News — 24/10/2018

Manufacturing collective, Made In Group, has strengthened its support offering with the appointment of a new Group Operations Director.

Wendy Small has joined the business to improve its strategic operations and membership experience as it embarks on fresh expansion.

Wendy, who is splitting her time between the Midlands and Yorkshire offices, is an experienced professional who has worked in senior management positions across multiple sectors and specialised in operations and change management and customer service excellence. She has a post-graduate diploma in law (PGDL) from Nottingham Law School.

Previous roles have seen her working with housing membership organisation, HouseMark, the National Autistic Society and law firm, Eversheds.

Wendy said: “I am excited to be joining the Made In Group at such a pivotal stage in its development.

“I look forward to working with both members and staff from Made in Yorkshire and Made in the Midlands as the business continues to grow.”

Made in Yorkshire members attend an industrial strategy session

Made in Yorkshire News — 20/09/2019

Policy connect, who sustain the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group (APMG), approached Made in Yorkshire to invite company directors from the region to discuss all things industrial strategy.

On Friday 13th September cross-party coalition of parliamentarians, manufacturers and industry organisations; AMPG and Yorkshire members gathered at Cummins Technology for a panel discussion. This was the second session of its kind, the first being held at Norton Motorcycles in Donnington.

AMPG work together with a variety of people to create new industrial policy ideas, critique existing policies and generally help the manufacturing community engage with the policy process.

There were presentations from Barry Sherman, local MP for Huddersfield and Co-chair at Policy connect, and Ian Smyth Head of Economic Policy WYCA. The panel discussion included Ian Smyth, Paul O’Donnell, Head of External Affairs, MTA Inquiry Commissioner, Alex Robison, director of Made in Yorkshire and Ben Carpenter Merritt, Policy Manager at Policy Connect.

Session 2 of the industrial strategy enquiry involved a factory tour of Cummins technology and numerous round table discussions. 25-30 Made in Members attended the discussion which involved areas and issues of challenges for manufacturing companies. Some of the issues discussed involved availability to take on apprentices, availability of land for expansion and issues around access to finance or grants to fund investments.

Made in Yorkshire member Geoff Illingworth Director of Illingworth Supplies attended the event to be part of a discussion that concerns his sector. Illingworth Supplies provide hardware, plumbing and heating equipment to external businesses. Geoff mentioned he would like to see places within Yorkshire to be seen as a community, rather than separate entities. He said:

“If we had representation for the whole of Yorkshire in terms of finance, seeing it as one community, it would be great as it would mean there would be another level of local government”.

Manufacturing is a major factor of the economy making up 23% of it, therefore is important for this factor to play a “central role in the industrial policy”.

Investing in digital strategy to mitigate against Coronavirus

Made in Yorkshire News — 13/03/2020

Made in Group are beginning to develop a digital plan that will be themed around holding virtual meetings amongst members eliminating the risk of spreading or retrieving Coronavirus. This will consist of digital software that will be implemented into the back end of the microsite where members will be able to hold meetings, join a live chat and check if other members are online.

In the current climate, it may be considered a risk to attend events and meetings. However, the Made in Group understands how important networking is in the manufacturing community. Therefore are staying a step ahead by offering virtual networking exclusive to members of the group.

To help the Made team do this, they will have the help of professional web developers. Kalexiko has been partners of the Made in Group for over ten years and developed the Made in platforms, including the coding for members microsites.

CEO of the Made in Group Jason Pitt set this challenge for Kalexiko in order to offer an alternative to members, he said:

“We want to enable our members to be able to attend events virtually and try and replicate some of the experiences they would have had in person. It is not to replace physical meetings, it is about mitigating risk”

Jason and Kalexiko’s Client Services Director Chan Dhillon researched various applications and discovered a platform called Zoom allowing users to hold online meetings. They also came across chatbots such as Olark.

This software once applied to the back end of the microsites, will allow members to hold video conferences and chat to visitors to the microsite. Jason said:

“Most members won't have this option on their websites, so this will be a brand new technology. Usually, it would take us many months to turn this around, however, we hope to start this from Monday 16th March.”

Talking about what he hopes this will achieve for members Chan added:

“We want to make the whole web experience a lot more interactive for the Made members. We hope this enables members to engage with each other more.”

Jason and the Kalexiko team also have plans to introduce the chatbot software to members personal websites as well, therefore guests who visit their microsite and website will be available to chat on either platform.

Though it may be argued that meetings are most effective when meeting face to face, during the current circumstances with Coronavirus this will allow members to carry on business as usual when it comes to meetings,

Made in Yorkshire members recognised at inaugural Inclusivity Awards

Made in Yorkshire News — 12/12/2018

Members of Made in Yorkshire have been recognised for their enthusiastic support for the organisation’s Inclusivity Campaign.

Eight companies from the network were invited to attend a reception at the House of Lords where they were the recipients of the inaugural Inclusivity awards.

Accompanying them to Westminster were twelve companies from sister network, Made in the Midlands, who have also been supporting the campaign during its first full year.

The Yorkshire companies recognised were: ActionPlas, BASF, BHP, Christeyns, Clarion, E3 Recruitment, Elis (formerly Berendsen) and Pennine Pneumatic Services.

Commenting on the awards, Jason Pitt, CEO of the Made In Group, said: "This has been a tremendous first year for the Inclusivity campaign, more than 30 companies are now more inclusive employers, a by-product of course is they are improving the perception of engineering which in turn widens the recruitment pool whilst also improving productivity of the people already in their businesses."

Entering the awards, firms were asked to outline the positive effect Inclusivity had had on their business, what hurdles they had had to overcome and how the campaign would be used to define the company in the future.

Ruth Gosnay, of ActionPlas, said that since starting their Inclusivity journey, the company has recruited from both ends of the work life spectrum.

In September, it recruited two shop floor apprentices, whilst at the same time appointed a 63-year-old Sales Manager.

“The reason behind the recruitment is the plethora of knowledge and experience that can be divulged to the younger, less experienced colleagues,” she said. “Whereas the apprentices will enable to company to future proof against potential skills gaps.”

As a relatively small SME, employing just 30 people, Actionplas opted to conduct the Engagement and Inclusion survey to establish how aware the team was with regards to Inclusivity.

“This gave me a benchmark from where to work from and also highlighted areas of strength and weakness that needed initial investigation and education,” she said.

“Then we need to make sure this becomes so much a part of the Actionplas ethos that we don't even know we're including it.”

Sarah Dufton, of Christeyns, said the firm had opted to make its 2018 apprenticeship intake the focus of its Inclusivity work.

“The insights we have gained from this area have been transferable to many other business processes,” she said.

“Historically Christeyns has received a wide variety of diverse applications to our apprenticeship scheme. However, we have struggled to attract successful applications to our apprenticeship selection day, and in turn then convert these into offers of employment. Typically attendance at the assessment day has been approx. 60% and mainly White British male candidates that attend.

“The Inclusivity toolkit provided us with great insights to review our processes and identify areas which may be making Christeyns less attractive to diverse groups of people.”

She said simple changes, such as amending advert wording and ensuring the firm had a diverse selection panel in place had made a big difference.

One thing which the company found particularly beneficial was putting candidates in touch with employees with a similar background in order to provide reassurance.

“This time around, and for the first year this year we had diverse group of candidates at our selection day. This meant that our intake this year as a whole was much more diverse,” she said.

“We have recruited our first female Muslim apprentice onto a manufacturing apprenticeship programme which is a huge success for us.”

Turning its attention to mental health, the company said it had been keen to improve this side of its operation.

“We have now created within the company a group of mental health wellbeing ambassadors who are all Mental Health First Aiders,” added Sarah.

Sarah Argyle, of Elis - formerly Berendsen, said the company had benefited from increased awareness of Inclusivity and had implemented training workshops to support its work as part of the campaign.

She said the company had also benefited as a result of direct contact with other Made in Yorkshire members who are also taking part in the campaign.

She said the company’s next step was to undertake the European Foundation for Quality Management.

Louise Allen, of MIY sponsor BHP, said it was still a little in the firm’s journey to fully assess the impact of participating in the Inclusivity campaign.

She said the firm was about to introduce a new HR system which would allow it to measure various aspects of employee diversity and inclusivity. It has also conducted an employee survey to identify additional areas of focus.

“We have had a positive response from staff to the introduction of mental health first aiders,” she said. “This was seen a priority after a significant increase over the last year in the number of staff reporting issues of mental health.”

Helen Saunders, of fellow MIY sponsor Clarion, said the law firm had updated its Induction process to ensure it had a higher focus, while it had also updated the diversity data collection process at the point of job offer.

The firm has also rolled out Unconscious Bias training across its workforce and recommended the course to others in the MIY network.

Aileen Peters, of BASF, said the company had been keen to break down barriers within its local community.

As part of this, it had visited two local mosques to better understand how it could engage with the Muslim community and in the process, hopefully attract to the business a demographic more reflective of the local area.

Laura Rogers, of E3 Recruitment (E3R) said the firm had adopted a full Inclusivity policy, which had been well received by the workforce. This has also been shared with fellow MIY member and Inclusivity adoptee, BASF.

She said: “We have launched a project to increase the number of females working in engineering and manufacturing. We have approached this by trying to increase the number of females applying for roles by removing gender bias from job adverts.

“A document has been produced that brings together the findings of numerous research projects which look into the impact of gender bias on applicants. It also lists examples, including most commonly used words and biased phrases and alternatives, as well as providing a gender decoder free resource which all recruiting employees have been briefed on.”

The firm has also started to gather research on the gender pay gap and actions to close this.

“This is something we want to progress further so we are in a position to share,” she said. “Once complete we would like to host an event for our clients which briefs them on our work so far, sharing with them our research on gender bias adverts and how to overcome them and also how to close the pay gap.”

Kimberly Martlew, of Pennine Pneumatic Services, said the firm had utilised the themes of inclusivity to assess the accessibility of its buildings and to implement adapted where necessary.

For example, existing steps to its training room were of differing heights. These have been completely reformed, and are now much shallower and have painted edges. Alongside this, the company also now has designated spaces for those who need easier access to the premises and a greater number of handrails.

There has also been positive feedback from staff for mental well being support.

“We are taking lots of small steps with this and it is working,” she said. “Simple emails, posters, talking about it in staff meetings. For most it has been expressed that it is just a relief to know someone is there. Especially important for us given the high percentage of males in our industry and the statistics around male suicide.”

The firm is also actively looking to overcome gender splits and age discrimination, while also continuing to work with Tempus Novo to employ ex-offenders.

It is also expanding its work with The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association to further its goal of employing ex-military personnel.

Backing Britain campaign heads to Yorkshire

Made in Yorkshire News — 07/11/2019

The Back Britain campaign heads to Made in Yorkshire on 29th November at Made in member’s premises Outokumpu, and will introduce eight industry leaders and Made members as keynote speakers for the event.

31st October marked the launch of the Backing Britain campaign at RAF Museum in Cosford, where Midland’s manufacturers gathered to discuss how they can back Britain and create a community within UK manufacturing.

Backing Britain was launched in order to act as a beacon of hope during these uncertain times within the UK government. Founder and Director of the Made in group, Jason Pitt said:

“This is a time for manufacturers to create an example of unity, to inspire and restore confidence in Britain. Our new Backing Britain campaign will visit major cities and towns in the Midlands and Yorkshire over the next 12 months. These events will be open to members and non-members and feature speakers from the membership and inspiration stories.”

The event will include presentations from industry leaders on how manufacturers across the nation can promote British Industry to safeguard its future and create a lasting legacy. Keynote speakers for this event include: Marie Cooper, Group CEO of CBE+, David Masters, Group Managing Director of OE Electrics, Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster Air Conditioning, Bradley McBain, Managing Director of MBA Engineering, Alastair Morris, Sales Director of Pryor Marking Technology, Allan Joyce, Managing Director of Balmoral Tanks, Ian Brown Director of Technologies at Teconnex, Ian Holdsworth, Managing Director of Outokumpu and Ian Harrison, Managing Director of Pennine Pneumatic Services.

Prior to the event on 29th November, we spoke to some of the keynote speakers to find out why they decided to be part of the campaign and how their companies are Backing Britain. David Masters, Managing Director OE Electrics said:

“We have been a member of Made in Yorkshire for more than 2 years as it is important for us to network and do everything we can to back UK manufacturing.”

David hopes attendees take away something positive from the campaign and eliminate the negativity around the UK as a country. When asked how OE Electrics are Backing Britain he said:

“We are in a sector where our competitor’s products are manufactured outside the UK, but we manufacture in the UK and source as much product as we can locally. Maintaining UK jobs is important to us, which is why we buy UK”

Bradley Mcbain, Managing Director of MBA Engineering wanted to take part in the event as a keynote speaker to “fulfil a greater good”, he said:

“I would like to be a part of something that may assist with putting UK manufacturing at a level where it is looked upon as innovative and resilient.”

He also said he hopes the event inspires other manufacturers and those within the industry to share this vision:

“I hope the event helps in creating a supportive culture in UK manufacturing and inspire others to be part of it”.

Ian Holdsworth is the Managing Director for Outokumpu, where the Backing Britain campaign is being held. Ian wanted to be a part of the campaign and hold the event at their facility in hope to bring a sense of positivity to manufacturing in the UK. Ian said:

“I sense many people feel deflated by the downturn at the moment and I think having this event is a perfect forum to help restore confidence, that we are doing well given all the uncertainty.”

In response to how the company is Backing Britain Ian said:

“We manufacture in the UK as part of a complex integrated supply chain and strive to offer more support in terms of technology through our products, with the aim of giving our UK customers a competitive edge. We highly support Made in Yorkshire so felt it was the right thing to do to be part of the Backing Britain campaign.”

“Supporting UK manufacturing is about sharing best practice and ideas and any good news to inspire each other to improve.”

“We are also Backing Britain through investment and employing 580 UK residents”.

You can be part of the Backing Britain campaign too, by clicking the link below to get your tickets, all of the proceeds will go to Rotherham Hospice.

https://madeinyorkshire.com/events/77791579709

Why Do I Need a Microsite If I Already Have a Website?

Made in Yorkshire News — 31/01/2020

What Exactly Is a Microsite?

A microsite is an individual web page or a small cluster of web pages that exists outside of your company’s homepage and acts as an entirely discrete entity. Made in Yorkshire members are able to reap the benefits of this self-contained micro website with its own personalised URL.

With a personalised social media microsite, you can capture visitors from the Made in Yorkshire homepage, utilise the search directory to contact relevant companies, capitalise on the vast array of external links to your unique digital space and much more. When used correctly, they can also be an excellent addition to the SEO strategy of your brand.

Quick Tips to Supercharge Your Microsite:

Bold, clear banner image featuring company logo

Link all (active) social channels

Consistent, professional headshots in “Team” section

Upload articles every 4-8 weeks (minimum)

Showcase testimonials from industry professionals

Use unique content

Backlink from own site using Made in Yorkshire logo

Reach out to the team for help!

How Are Microsites Used Differently to a Website?

The major difference between a microsite and a static landing page on your main website is that a microsite will typically focus on its own specific theme.

Generally speaking, businesses often use microsites as a wholly separate entity from their main website, in order to focus on a singular goal, product, service or marketing campaign.

Made in Yorkshire members have the primary domain of “.madeinthemidlands” attached to their microsite URL, following on them their personal company name (the sub domain). With this unique URL, there is the expectation amongst users and Google alike that the microsite will serve a unique function, with its own unique content, to that of the primary website.

If Google is convinced that your microsite provides this unique purpose, then backlinking between here and your primary website can bring fantastic benefits for SEO on both sides of the coin. Which ultimately gives Made in Yorkshire members a head start, through their membership itself offering an inherently unique motive.

Supercharge Brand Exposure with a Microsite Review

Solely creating a “micro” version of your company homepage, which is refined to appeal more specifically to the Made in the Midlands network and achieve your goals, is the most common strategy used by members.

However, the more temporal and easily changeable nature of microsites, compared to company homepages, make them a great platform for exploring new opportunities within a safe environment.

Some great alternate examples of how you could cultivate unique and relevant microsite content which maximises exposure and gets the right eyes on your digital profile, include:

Providing further details about a specific service
Announcing a new product or solution launch
Promoting an upcoming event
Experimenting with a rebrand
Publishing study results
Promoting lead generation campaigns
Highlighting what Yorkshire manufacturing means to you!

To get the ball rolling on cultivating an innovative social media microsite strategy which fulfills company objectives and maximises the benefits of your membership, please get in touch with the Made in Group’s specialist digital team.

4 Ways to Maximise Your Social Media Presence with Made in Yorkshire

Made in Yorkshire News — 17/02/2020

Regardless of whether the manufacturing industry loves it or hates it, social media has infiltrated all corners of our personal and business lives. And it isn’t going away any time soon...

Whether you are a seasoned social media-er or relatively new to the game, there’s a few ways you should be making the most of your Made in Yorkshire membership, to give you an edge over your digital competition.

Keep reading to discover the 4 top tips our digital specialists have put together in regards to using social media as a Made in Yorkshire member.

1. Connect With Other Members

As part of a manufacturing and engineering community, you should be utilising the likes of LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook as they can provide great opportunities to network with fellow members of the manufacturing community.

The people which you choose to follow impacts your business intelligence and who can see your content. Therefore, making sure to follow all of your fellow members will keep you in the loop of industry affairs and give you more scope for conversation when attending Made in Group networking events.

2. Share Your Microsite Articles

Recirculating articles throughout your social media networks is a great way to boost traffic to your content and increase brand exposure on multiple channels.

When posting your microsite articles out, be sure to tag Made in Yorkshire so that we can work together to maximise on the amount of people who get to interact with you online.

3. Keep Up to Date with the Latest News

If you haven’t already, make sure you’re following Made in Yorkshire on all of the relevant social channels - namely Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This is vital to ensure you are getting all of the latest news regarding your membership, straight from the horses mouth.

For example, it’s no secret that many of our networking events are extremely popular. Therefore, following us on as many channels as popular will give you the best chance of keeping up to date with this, alongside other important information which will allow you to maximise on the value of your membership.

4. Promote Your Engagement

Engagement is the number one goal of any successful business’s social media strategy.

Therefore, you should use your activity within the Made in Group - such as attending events - as an opportunity to connect with members and maximise engagement throughout your digital network. By tagging multiple other people, you are far more likely to get your content reposted, shared and liked throughout the membership group - maximising social media engagement in the process.

Don’t Be a Stranger

If you aren’t engaging with us on social media, you simply aren’t making the most of your membership. Make sure to stay engaged with all of the Made in Group social accounts, follow our LinkedIn, and join the online community!

Yorkshire leads the way for manufacturing exports outside of London

Made in Yorkshire News — 24/08/2018

Yorkshire has been named the top exporter of manufacturing goods outside of London.

The latest official figures show there were 22 exporting companies per 10,000 residents in Yorkshire in 2017. This is more per person than anywhere else in the Northern Powerhouse region and across Scotland and Wales. Exports from Yorkshire increased by 14% between 2016 and 2017, the strongest growth from across the Northern Powerhouse.

Yorkshire’s strong and enduring industrial base has been identified as one of the key reasons for the surge in exporting. Almost 10% of the region’s workforce is employed in the manufacturing sector.

Major firms are investing in the region. From Siemens UK investing up to £200 million in a state-of-the-art train factory in Goole to Sirius Minerals announcing a revolutionary mineral transport system in Wilton creating billions of pounds in exports, Yorkshire continues to build on its reputation as the beating industrial heart of the North.

The region also boasts the highest proportion of exports going to Sub-Saharan Africa and is above the UK average exports going to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Yorkshire’s high export figures can be attributed to the wide variety of goods and products across multiple sectors the region produces. The region has a strong pedigree in sector from advanced manufacturing to traditional farming. The food sector follows the trend set by the rest of the region with exports of food and animals growing by 11.6% between Q1 2017 and Q1 2018.

The county is also home to the headquarters of Tata Steel, Northern Foods, Northern Monk Brewery Co, a world-renowned farming industry and some of the most iconic household brands like Fox’s biscuits and Cravendale milk.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP, said:

This Yorkshire Day, let’s recognise the tremendous achievements of the entrepreneurs, business owners, manufacturers and innovators who are leading the charge of the Northern Powerhouse with an export-driven economy at its heart.

Yorkshire has a rapidly growing network of businesses who are part of our Northern Powerhouse partners programme. These latest figures show what can be achieved when government and business work together and I encourage local companies of all sizes to join our coalition of private and public sector partners taking the Northern Powerhouse forward.

Making the Most of Social Media as a Manufacturing SME

Made in Yorkshire News — 03/03/2020

Over the past decade, social media has gone from a novel way to showcase yourself and your company to a business necessity for interaction with the public and customers - yes, manufacturing companies included…

Whether you love it or hate it, social media has infiltrated all corners of our social and business lives, and it isn’t going away any time soon. Regardless of if you are wholeheartedly joining the social media revolution or begrudgingly looking for some sort of digital footprint, Made in Group’s team of digital specialists have put together some tips to make your business thrive on social media platforms.

Keep reading to discover how to make the most of social media as a manufacturing SME.

Connect With the Right People

It’s very easy to simply follow people who will follow you back in an aim to gain a greater audience, but is that approach beneficial to you or your business? There’s no point in following accounts which aren’t relevant to your business. If you want to follow Beyoncé, do it on your personal account, not your company's account.

Who you follow impacts your business intelligence, and more importantly who can see your content, and when you cut out the irrelevant accounts, it gives you a much clearer view of whichever platform you are using.

An easy rule of thumb: If they are not a customer, prospect, supplier or influencer in your sector (news outlets, industry magazines, trade associations, etc.) then you probably don’t need to follow them. On twitter, you can make private lists and segregate who you’re following into sections, which can make it easier to view tweets of relevant accounts if you are following several thousand.

Make a Plan

Social media is an easy way to market yourself and, like any marketing activity, it makes sense to plan in advance. We can use short, medium and long-term plans to outline what you want going out online, and when you want it going out.

Long-term plans allow you to map out promotions like exhibitions and major events in the business.

Medium plans will help plan significant dates in the next month such as International Women’s Day.

Short-term plans will help you map out what’s going out over the next week.

Mapping these pathways out will allow you to keep up consistent messages and build simple campaigns and meaning you’re not left wondering what you should be posting about.

Image is Everything

Nearly all social media platforms put a strong emphasis on content such as images and videos. These forms of multimedia content allow users to draw the eye of the viewer and can make your post stand out.

An image says a thousand words and on twitter, you’re limited to 280 characters, so good quality media can make all the difference. While on LinkedIn posts with 4 images will naturally get more impressions then compared to those that don’t have any multimedia content.

Balancing Quantity & Quality

Yes, you need to be posting on a regular basis, with 5 posts a day being the average, otherwise, people will wonder why they’re following you.

But if you’re just going to post the same promo sales pitch 5 times a day, with no variation in the message or media your supporting your post with then your audience will quickly become disengaged with your message, and may even unfollow you

Don’t post just to post; make sure what you’re posting is current, relative and engaging!

Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Things

Social media is by no means an exact science. You will find it easier, if you’re new to this, to stick to these ground rules initially, but once you gain a greater grasp on how it can work best for you and your business, you can begin to branch out and try new strategies.

Play with the volume and timing of your posts. Share content that’s different. Venture into new social sites that aren’t in the mainstream yet. Experiment with convention, and you might stumble into a new strategy that works surprisingly well for you and your business.

Measure Performance

Unless you’re a company that deals across other time-zones if you post a tweet at 3am, and you deal with Beijing, China, where it will be 10 am it’s probably not going to get much traction.

Spend some time to understand when your network is listening. Do they check their social feeds in the evening and weekends or just during work hours? Are they more likely to check during lunch hours or during a morning break? Online applications such as Buffer will even do this automatically for you! It will scan your account and suggest the best time to post - taking all the hard work out of guessing.

It’s also important to remember that different platforms might require you to post at different times and alter how often you post.

Timing

Research your relevant followers to see what hashtags they are using or what Linkedin groups they are in. They can provide an excellent pathway into growing your network further by connecting you to like-minded accounts.

In the manufacturing sector, the majority of tweets include the hashtag #ukmfg or #gbmfg as a sector-wide hashtag. Made in the Midlands use #MiMFamily while Made in Yorkshire uses #MiYFamily to connect members. Have a search on different platforms to research how companies are connecting online.

If you need help, feel free to contact us and we can send you links to some groups that we’ve created that have other members in, allowing you to easily connect with other like-minded businesses.

Find Out Where Your Networking Is Talking

Social media can be an effective way to get your message out there. But if you’re only using it to post that you’re looking for new business, you probably won’t get far. Be sure to build up your network as it is far more about engagement than promotion. This will help in sharing great curated content, interacting with followers, and simply helping your business stay at the forefront of the consumer’s mind.

Don’t just sell your product, make sure you interact and share with other posts, ensure you reply to questions or direct messages and make sure that you’re posting relevant content.

Don’t Just Advertise

Social media can be an effective way to get your message out there. But if you’re only using it to post you’re looking for new business, you probably won’t get far.

Be sure to build up your network as it is far more about engagement than promotion. This will help in sharing great curated content, interacting with followers, and simply helping your business stay on the forefront of the consumer’s mind.

Finally… Be Yourself

It’s important to add a personal touch to your social media posts. Everyone is aware that behind any business account, there is a human on the other end, so why act differently when interacting with them?

Speaking in the first person and offering an insight into the company can allow the personality of your company to shine through.

People won’t relate to a brand whose social presence sounds rigid and corporate. Show a human side, interact with people kindly and develop a personality. People will appreciate that, and the following will come.

Make sure to follow all of the Made in Group social accounts, including our LinkedIn, and join the online community!

Made in Group kick off new Mastermind sessions

Made in Yorkshire News — 14/04/2020

The Made in Group held their first Mastermind session today where members gathered to discuss current challenges and how the sector could overcome them. Today’s discussion saw numerous members talk about employment, the automotive industry, cash flow, the ventilator challenge and how the sector can restart after the current pandemic is over.

Over the next few months, The Made in Group will hold 8 Masterminds sessions to be held every fortnight. This will see members come together to discuss current issues within the industry and how we can tackle these problems. Each session will see the group discuss 2 challenges within the industry along with brainstorming how they can be changed.

Today’s session included a number of members across the Made in Group, all of who are decision-makers within their businesses. The members included: Nick Godfrey from Central Scanning, Shaun Heys from Rocol, Susan Marlow from Minster-Micro Computers, Paul Clark from Atlas Copco, Stephen Hemming from Liberty Pressings, Claire Robinson from Wrekin Sheet Metal, Charles Boneham from Boneham & Turner, Edward James from Citizen Machinery, Kylash Makenji from WMG, Andrew Eastwood from Carrs Toolsteel and Garth Christie from Hazel 4D

Though many points were raised throughout the discussion the general focus was how the industry can recover after the current circumstances and how businesses may need to change as a result of this.

Nick Godfrey, Managing Director of Central Scanning, said:

“The main point I took away from today’s discussion is that many manufacturers and like-minded businesses have the same issues as we do. It was great to understand how other people, who work within the same sectors as us, are dealing with this.”

“Another point I took away was to get more of our employees involved to add to collective intelligence.”

Stephen Hemming, Managing Director at Liberty Pressings, said:

“As we have been in this isolation period for a few weeks now, it was great to talk to others about the current issues we are having.”

“I think today focused on listening to other perspectives and sharing information on different issues. It was a brilliant first step.”

To find out more about how the masterminds work, what we need from you and how you can join, click here to fill in the form to see if you are eligible.

Reaching Industry Leaders with Your MIY Microsite

Made in Yorkshire News — 08/04/2021

Your microsite is a branded content site that lives outside of the Made in Yorkshire (MIY) homepage and brand URL. As it is directly linked to this you have the opportunity to be part of the 20,000+ visits the MIY website gets each month by regularly uploading news.

Made in Yorkshire microsites, alongside featuring in the no. 1 ranked Directory Listing for "Yorkshire Manufacturing”, have the potential to reach numerous key figures in the industry - helping your brand get more exposure to potential clients and suppliers.

Every week we send a digest of our latest, most interesting, and engaging news to around 7,000 industry leaders. By regularly uploading news to your microsite, we recommend at least once a week, you have the opportunity to reach this pool of people.

We post our member’s articles to our social media channels every day. Therefore if you post news to your microsite every week, your news could be featured on our social channels - where we have over 30,000 followers across Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.

Your bespoke HTTPS secure microsite, a multi-domain SEO strategy, compliments your current online operations. Make sure to publish news from your website to your microsite to giving it that extra boost.

Other than your regular company news, your microsite news could also be based on…

Job vacancies
Announcements of new products or services
Winning major contracts or general company success
Best Practices tips/guides
Case studies or collaborations

Now here's how you can upload news to reach multiple industry leaders...

1. After logging in to your MIM account, head to the 'News' section on the left-hand side. You can log in to your account by heading to ‘My Account’ in the top right-hand corner of the MIM website.

2. Click the “create new article” button on the top right of the page.

3. Fill in the boxes with the required content, such as title, feature image (which will be the image at the top of your article) and the main body of the article.

4. Once everything has been filled in (including SEO title and description) click save as a draft or publish.

5. Now check the front end of your microsite by searching your company name in “Search Members” on the Made in the Midlands/Made in Yorkshire website to check all is ok!

Login to your microsite and upload your latest news

Manufacturing excellence celebrated at Made in Yorkshire awards

Made in Yorkshire News — 10/12/2018

Manufacturing excellence across Yorkshire was celebrated at the annual Made in Yorkshire awards ceremony.

Members of the fast growing network joined senior staff and other delegates for the reception, which took place at the Malmaison hotel in Leeds.

Those attending the event also heard from the newly-appointed chairman of Made in Yorkshire, The Lord Whitby.

There were five award categories: Longest Serving Member, Young Inventor, Best MIY Collaboration, Biggest Change and finally, Most Engaged Member.

The winner of the Longest Serving Member award was Pennine Pneumatic Services (PPS), which has been a member of the network since July 2015. Runner-up in the category was Greyhound Box, which joined the organisation a month after PPS.

As a founding member of the network, PPS has seen the group go through a lot of changes. Always one to throw its hat into the ring no matter what is going on, the company has consistently engaged with the network, recognising the value this brings not just to itself, but also to other manufacturers.

Last year PPS also brought into the ranks its sister company, SIMM Engineering in Sheffield

We await developments at both firms with interest and can’t wait to see what the next stage of their membership brings.

Greyhound Box and its faithful mascot Greyham the Robox are instantly recognisable to MIY members attending the annual exhibition and their presence always lifts the event.

One of the most popular awards each year is Young Inventor, which recognises the remarkable talent being demonstrated by students throughout the county and this year’s winner was no exception.

Seventeen-year-old Jasmine Roper, a student at Scarborough UTC, wowed the judges at her panel when she presented her product to our manufacturers. Not only was her project well thought out, incredibly researched and feasible but in reality it has the opportunity to save lives.

Jasmine has created a more effective life preserver for those who get into trouble in the sea. She was inspired to develop the idea after seeing a number of incidents on the coastline while growing up in Scarborough.

Jasmine made sure her project would fit into British standards and spoke to the RNLI to ensure what she was creating would work in reality. We see a very promising future for Jasmine in Manufacturing and Engineering and we are sure this win will be the first of many.

Jasmine is pictured below receiving her award from from John Pendleton, MIY President (left) and Jason Pitt, CEO, Made In Group.

Runner-up in the Young Inventor category was Louis Font, a student at Sheffield UTC, who has aspirations of a career in motorsport.

The members sharing Best MIY Collaboration were ActionPlas and Winder Power, whose collaboration began after a chance meeting at a MIY breakfast networking event hosted by ActionPlas.

At the meeting, Ruth Gosnay, Head of HR for ActionPlas, was chatting with her opposite number at fellow MIY member and near-neighbour Winder Power, Kerry Fennelly. Following the discussion, both recognised that as the only HR representatives at their respective companies they should work together.

As a result, both are now able to run queries past one another to without the need to recruit additional help.

The pair try, work permitting, to meet as often as they can and if not email each other a least once a week. It is still early days but moving forward the two hope to enter into some joint ventures such as ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions which would involve both ActionPlas and Winder Power employees.

Winner of the Biggest Change category was AUS UK, which has experienced huge growth during 2018 and because of this the company has been able to set about creating a strategy to ensure that growth is managed in a sustainable way.

Early in the year the company settled into new, larger premises with the additional space capable of supporting the growth ambitions. The extra space has also allowed the firm to bring in-house parts of the manufacturing process that had previously been outsourced.

The company also engaged in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Huddersfield University which saw a post-graduate student design and test products which then went through Network Rail’s approval system and passed.

The change implemented by the company has seen turnover double.

Runner-up in the category was Bronte Precision Engineering, which implemented change following a Fit 4 Nuclear initial audit which gave the company a score of just 27%.

The poor grade prompted the company to take a hard look at itself. It examined the 55-point framework produced by F4N and identified what change was practical for the business and what the impact would be on staff.

Employee feedback helped identify in which order the improvements should be made, this feedback also helped the firm create bespoke progression plans to better retain staff.

The whole company began an audit process for stock, spares, health and safety, and the entire shopfloor was reorganised, with new machinery purchased, new staff hired and more CSR schemes engaged in. New ISO accreditations were achieved, 5S was implemented and the company set off to collaborate more across the region. Its journey is not yet complete but it it well underway.

The award for Most Engaged Member went to Emma Armitage, of Excel Water.

Emma initially joined MIY to connect with other companies in the local area and extend her support network. But since then she has gone on to achieve much more. Emma has found herself a mentor in the group, received training and advice and sourced new suppliers and customers. She is always there to help another member if she can and has recently supported another member by sharing her past experiences of the same problem.

Emma not only frequently attends Made in Yorkshire events but takes every opportunity offered to also network with the wider Made In Group, even attending the Made in the Midlands Exhibition, where she sourced herself a valuable supplier from the Midlands network.

Emma also attended the Made in London launch event to see how she could work with the next expansion of the group. By throwing herself into every opportunity presented to her Emma has been able to become an integral part of the network and reaped the benefits this presents.

Emma said: “When I first joined Made In Yorkshire my primary motivation was to connect with other companies in the local area and extend my support network, what I have actually gained from membership is so much more. Over the course of the last year and a half I have had to opportunity to network with the wider Made in Group, found a new mentor, received some fantastic advise on best practice, had some excellent training, developed my own networking skills and found new suppliers and customers.

“Anyone who knows me will know I am passionate about the Yorkshire region and developing the growth of this county so anything I can do to help other business owners grow their business in the region is time well spent.”

Emma is pictured receiving her award from MIY President John Pendleton (left) and Jason Pitt, CEO, Made In Group.

Runner-up in the category was Shaun Bedford, of Holmesterne Foods.

Shaun joined MIY to help support a new area for the organisation namely, better engagement with Food Manufacturers. Since his arrival, five companies aligned within this sector have followed his lead and created the start of what is sure to be a powerful arm of Made in Yorkshire.

Shaun is a frequent attendee of MIY events and is a valued supporter of the network. He has spoken at a MIY-sponsored event about Robotics in the sector and proved that you don’t need to spend big to make considerable bottom line change.

He remains an incredibly important part of the MIY family and with his support and guidance we are sure the Food and Drink element of our membership will rapidly grow throughout 2019.

For more pictures of the awards ceremony visit the Made in Yorkshire Facebook page.

Made in Yorkshire bids farewell to regional director

Made in Yorkshire News — 24/10/2018

The Made In Group’s Yorkshire Director, Chrissie Gale is stepping down from her role.

Chrissie has helped to shape Made in Yorkshire into a successful manufacturing member network to the point where it is an integral part of the Made In Group.

Made in Yorkshire now comprises more than 100 members who are spread across the country's diverse manufacturing industry. Representing firms with a combined turnover of more than £3bn, the network directly employs more than 18,000 people - and it continues to grow.

Members share best practice through regular networking events, targeted working groups and an annual exhibition - which this year was the largest in the network’s history.

Chrissie also contributed to the group’s pioneering Inclusivity Campaign which helped position the group as a leader in its field.

However, after achieving all the goals she set for herself when Mooncas Events was acquired by the Made In Group in 2016 she is now stepping down from her role as Director as she looks forward to developing new business opportunities.

Chrissie said: “It has been a busy three years and when I look back at what has been achieved over a relatively short period of time then it’s amazing. Much of that is due to the support of members and I would like to pay tribute to them and to thank them for everything they have done because without their support then Made in Yorkshire would not be where it is today.

“I would also like to thank my colleagues at Made in Yorkshire for all their efforts, together with the support of the team within the wider Made In Group. As I leave I know the organisation is in safe hands and I would like to wish everyone all the best for the future.”

Jason Pitt, CEO, Made In Group, said: “When we first acquired Mooncas, Chrissie agreed to stay with the business for a period of a year, we extended this a number of times but like many entrepreneurs, she enjoys the process of building something new."“There is no doubt that Made in Yorkshire would not be the success that is today without Chrissie's efforts and so as she steps down then I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for everything that she has done and to wish her all the best in her new endeavours.”

Following her departure, Made in Yorkshire operations will continue to be serviced by new Business Development Director, Alex Robinson, with events being managed by Events and Engagement Manager, Eleanor Boyle. Further support will be supplied as necessary, by the Made In Group team.

Christmas Shut Down

Made in Yorkshire News — 17/12/2018

The Christmas holidays are coming and we would like to inform you of our scheduled shutdown over Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Yorkshire office will be closed from Thursday 19th December and we will back on Wednesday 2nd January 2019 to promote our members and the manufacturing sector..

Please don't hesitate to contact a member of our team across the group should you have a query in the coming weeks.

We will expect to receive all your urgent requests as soon as possible, in order to be able to perform all your requests in the remaining working days in December.

Here’s to a great 2018 and an even better 2019!

The Made in Group

Boost Traffic to Your Microsite by Doing This 1 Simple Thing

Made in Yorkshire News — 07/02/2020

Linking your personalised social media microsite to your company’s main site is a fantastic way to promote your membership whilst simultaneously maximising traffic, publicising your membership and supercharging SEO.

In order to ensure our members are getting the most from the membership resources at their disposal, we’ve compiled an easy-to-follow 3 step guide to boosting traffic with the Made in Group logo.

1. Download the Logo

If you haven’t done so already, you should be sure to download the “Proud Member” of the Made in Yorkshire logo — which can be accessed on the “Resources” section of your online dashboard.

2. Pinpoint the Best Spot for Your Website

Once you’ve downloaded the logo, you should find a suitable spot to proudly promote your Made in Yorkshire membership on your company website. The best place to situate your logo is the most visible spot for users, such as the top banner, underneath your logo or wherever else stands out.

3. Link to Your Microsite

Here’s the important part: create a hyperlink from your main website to your Made in Yorkshire social media microsite. By having links which go both ways, this will improve your link building in the eyes of Google and benefit your SEO.

Shoutout to Samuel Grant Packaging who are wearing the Made in Yorkshire logo loud and proud on their company homepage – whilst simultaneously maximising digital exposure.

Getting Your Microsite SEO Ready

In order to reap the full SEO benefits of linking to your microsite from your main site, it is essential to craft unique content for your Made in Yorkshire Platform.

Talking about what midlands manufacturing means to you is one of many ways to get the interest of Made in Yorkshire whilst crafting some unique, SEO-friendly content which appeases Google at the same time.

Free Microsite Review

If you are backlinking between your microsite and business’ main site, then these benefits will be two-fold for your SEO authority rating. These SEO benefits will be even greater if Google deems that your microsite serves a unique purpose, with unique content.

The user experience of other members visiting your microsite will also be substantially improved by optimising your page with unique, relevant and engaging content.

To get the ball rolling on having a microsite review, in which our digital specialists will optimise the content of your Made in Yorkshire web page, fill out this questionnaire today.

Later this month, Made in Britain arrives in Yorkshire

Made in Yorkshire News — 04/11/2019

Following the success of the first Back Britain event held by Made in the Midlands at RAF Cosford on October the 31st, it’s now the time of Made in Yorkshire to host the next instalment of the group-wide year-long campaign.

The second Back Britain, and also the first event in Yorkshire, will be taking place at Made in Yorkshire member premises Outokumpu Stainless, located in Sheffield, on the 29th of November, 2019, and will see 100 members of the manufacturing community in Yorkshire hear how 9 members are safeguarding Britains future and creating a lasting legacy.

Speaking about the upcoming launch of the campaign, the founder and Director of the Made in Group, Jason Pitt said; “This is a time for manufacturers to create an example of unity, to inspire and restore confidence in Britain. Our new Backing Britain campaign will visit major cities and towns in the midlands and Yorkshire over the next 12 months. These events will be open to members and non-members and feature speakers from the membership and inspiration stories.”

A full list of guest keynote speakers have been confirmed, these include:

Marie Cooper, Group CEO, CBE+
David Masters, Group Managing Director, OE Electrics
Lisa Pogson, Managing Director, Airmaster Air Conditioning
Bradley McBain, Managing Director, MBA Engineering
Alastair Morris, Sales Director, Pryor Marking Technology
Allan Joyce, Managing Director, Balmoral Tanks
Ian Brown, Director of Technologies, Teconnex
Matt O'Connor, Operations Director, Pennine Pneumatic Services
Ian Holdsworth, Managing Director, Outokump

You can read more about the event, including getting your tickets today on Eventbrite for just £3, with all proceeds going to the Rotherham Hospice (700356).

Made In Group strengthens member support with a new appointment

Made in Yorkshire News — 24/10/2018

Manufacturing collective, Made In Group, has strengthened its support offering with the appointment of a new Group Operations Director.

Wendy Small has joined the business to improve its strategic operations and membership experience as it embarks on fresh expansion.

Previous roles have seen her working with housing membership organisation, HouseMark, the National Autistic Society and law firm, Eversheds.

Wendy said: “I am excited to be joining the Made In Group at such a pivotal stage in its development.

“I look forward to working with both members and staff from Made in Yorkshire and Made in the Midlands as the business continues to grow.”

Jason Pitt, CEO, Made In Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Wendy to the business. Her skills and experience will be invaluable as the group continues to expand and become the authentic voice of UK manufacturing.”

Picture Caption: Jason Pitt, CEO, Made In Group, with new Group Operations Director, Wendy Small.

Yorkshire Chinese trade benefits from stronger air links

Made in Yorkshire News — 18/09/2018

The importance of strong links between the UK and its global trading partners has been underlined by new figures which show trade between Yorkshire and China growing due to direct flights between Manchester and Beijing.

A report released by the British Embassy in Beijing - The China Divided: Two Years In - highlights to economic benefits to the North of England since the introduction of the Hainan Airlines flights in 2016.

According to the study, there has been a 77% increase in the number of Chinese tourists to Yorkshire since 2016, well above the UK average.

The report also suggests that Chinese investors are keen to exploit opportunities which exist in the North West and Yorkshire.

One clear example of this is the growth in the number of Chinese students heading into the regions.

According to a report in The Yorkshire Post, the number of Chinese students in Yorkshire and Humber has grown by 2% and there has been a 114% increase in Northern students gaining Chinese internships. Yorkshire and Humber has seen a 220% increase in students gaining Chinese internships.

The Visit York tourism agency said China had progressed rapidly from being the city’s 11th busiest overseas market to the point where it was now second only to the US.

Another area to benefit has been Sheffield, where projects such as the New Era City Development are said to be magnets to Chinese investors.

Mark Lynam, director for programme commissioning at Sheffield City Region, said a number of firms in the city had begun to see success trading with China.

He said the advanced manufacturing sector and the development of innovative new technologies were two of the fastest-growing markets.

Yorkshire companies are also benefiting from a trading focus on Chinese cities which are not so well known in the UK and where opportunities are so far untapped.

Richard Burn, HM Trade Commissioner for China, said UK-China bilateral trade links had never been stronger.

In 2017 UK-China bilateral trade expanded by 15% to reach a record £67.5bn, whilst UK exports of goods and services to China grew by 28.5%.

He said the new report demonstrated the clear benefits of direct UK-China links in terms of developing new trade and investment opportunities.

Local industrial strategy inquiry session at Cummins Technologies

Made in Yorkshire News — 12/09/2019

The All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group (APMG), vice chair Heidi Allen MP, will hold an Industrial Strategy session, in partnership with Made in Yorkshire and Cummins Turbo Technologies. This event will take place on Friday 13th September from 8:30 until 13:15.

APMG is a “cross-party coalition of parliamentarians, manufacturers and industry organisations”, working together to create new industrial policy ideas, critique existing policies and generally help the manufacturing community engage with the policy process.

The Industrial Strategy focuses on boosting productivity by “backing businesses to create good jobs and increase the earning power of people throughout the UK”.

Session 1 of the Industrial Strategy Inquiry Evidence took place at Donington Hall, in partnership with Norton Motorcycles, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and Made in the Midlands.

Like the event on Friday 13th September, session 1 was open to APMG and Made in Group members. The day started off with a networking breakfast, moving on to a presentation from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership in regards to the Industrial Strategy.

Some of the leading Midlands manufacturing businesses came together for a discussion on the potential impact of Brexit and issues the sector is facing.

A positive highlight from the event was the confidence of the Made in Group members in regards to Brexit. Charles Addison, Deputy CEO at Made in the Midlands, said:

“In December 2018, we did a survey and 85% of members were confident of growth in 2019 despite the uncertainty over Brexit”.

Strategy Inquiry Evidence session 2 will take a similar structure to session 1. The discussion panel will consist of Ian Smyth, Head of Economic Policy WYCA, Paul O’Donnell, Head of External Affairs, MTA & Inquiry Commissioner, Alex Robison, Director of Made in Yorkshire and Ben Carpenter Merritt, Policy Manager at Policy Connect. Some discussion points will consist of thoughts around the Local Industrial Strategies and pressures manufacturers are currently dealing with.

Made in Yorkshire Director Alex Robinson is eager to get the conversation started between Made in members and hear their thoughts on current and potential policies. Alex said:

“We are bringing together over 25 Made in Yorkshire members from business manufacturers to companies that provide engineering services who are keen to be part of the discussion. We are looking forward to hearing what they have to say”.

Local Industrial Strategies are led by Combined Authorities with the aim of “coordinating local economic policy and national funding streams and establishing new ways of working between national and local government, the public and private sectors”. Manufacturing is a major factor of the economy making up 23% of it, therefore is important for this factor to play a “central role in the industrial policy”.

Key Speakers Announced for Made in Yorkshire Exhibition 2019

Made in Yorkshire News — 13/05/2019

With the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition just around the corner, we’re excited to officially announce the list of speakers who will be delivering talks at the event. Though the list of key figures is diverse, all of our speakers have one thing in common: they’re all intimately aware of the great potential in Yorkshire manufacturing.

One major company to look out for at the Exhibition is Airbus. Operating on a nationwide scale, Airbus are the leading aerospace company within the UK, and are on the forefront of supplying commercial aircraft, military satellite technology and helicopters.

Michael Gavin, HO of Supply Chain & Quality For Detail Parts, will be delivering a talk on the company’s presence within Yorkshire and throughout the UK as a whole.

Another key speaker is Jon Hughes, Managing Director of Haribo UK and Haribo Ireland, who have made significant investments within the Yorkshire region. This will be an opportunity to gain valuable insight into a company which is so well-known both inside and outside of the industry.

The ADI Group will also be represented at the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition, with James Sopwith, Group Strategic Account Director for ADI, delivering a talk. Working with top brands and operating within a massive range of engineering sectors, The ADI Group will be bringing along their expertise and years of industry experience.

The state of UK manufacturing has implications which go far beyond the industry itself. As such, the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition will also host some exciting speakers who will offer their unique perspective on Yorkshire manufacturing.

One such speaker is Yvette Cooper, MP for Normanton, Ponterfract and Castleford. Yvette has made no secret of her concern for the future of manufacturing and engineering in Yorkshire, and will be discussing her thoughts and ideas on things to come.

Another is Stuart Meikle, celebrated paratriathlete for Great Britain. Stuart will be discussing his story of how Yorkshire manufacturing was able to transform his life, shedding light onto the ways the industry impacts people’s lives for the better every day.

Alex Robinson, Regional Director of Made in Yorkshire, discusses the excitement felt by he and the entire Made in Yorkshire team, stating: “We’re really excited to be hosting such fantastic businesses at the Exhibition.

“From well-known industry figureheads to passionate people from outside the industry like Yvette and Stuart, it’s important that we continue to champion manufacturing and engineering in Yorkshire - especially in such a crucial time with significant opportunities to expand industry across the region.”

The Exhibition is free to attend, meaning there’s no reason for Yorkshire manufacturing businesses and professionals to miss this valuable opportunity to celebrate the manufacturing industries.

Click here to find out more about the Made in Yorkshire Exhibition, and keep an eye out for more news as the event draws closer.