News-in-brief from around the region...
Tata denies JLR sale rumours
The parent company of Jaguar Land Rover has hit out at "unconfirmed and unsubstantiated" reports that it may sell the automotive giant. Tata Motors, which is part of India-headquartered Tata Group, said it "categorically denies and dismisses any such intent" in a statement released on Monday 17 August.
Last year the company had been linked to PSA Peugeot Citroen Vauxhall, which went on to pursue a merger with Fiat Chrysler.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/tata-motors-denies-move-to-sell-jaguar-land-rover
Ex-AMG CEO takes up new role at Aston Martin Lagonda
Tobias Moers has joined Gaydon-based Aston Martin Lagonda from his role as chief executive of Mercedes-AMG.
His appointment was first announced in May with the departure of predecessor Andy Palmer, who had been in the role since 2014.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/new-ceo-takes-over-at-aston-martin
Hello to Fresh investment and jobs in Nuneaton
Fast growing German provider of fresh food at home, HelloFresh, has leased the prime 230,384 sq ft logistics space Nuneaton 230, from developer Goodman, just off the A444 at Bermuda, bringing new investment and jobs to the town.
https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/materials-handling-warehousing/distribution-centre-property/hellofresh-strengthens-uk-supply-chain-with-new-nuneaton-production-facility/
New Zealand company latest FDI investor attracted to Tournament Fields
New Zealand security firm Gallagher has signed a multi-million-pound deal to move to Tournament Fields and will make it the company's UK and European headquarters. Sackville Developments (Warwick) Ltd, part of Clowes Developments, secured planning consent for the new 24,000 sq ft unit during the height of the Covid-19 lockdown period.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/new-uk-base-for-security-giant
Aerospace company wins major defence contract extension
Meggitt plc, the major UK aerospace, defence and energy company based at Ansty Technology Park near Coventry, has received a three-year continuation contract with Northrop Grumman Corporation of the UK, to supply fuel components for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The contract is valued at around $20 million and deliveries are scheduled to commence this month.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/coventry-aerospace-company-extends-defence-contract-with-northrop-grumman/
Aldi has outlined plans to create nearly 4,000 new jobs across the UK this year
German grocer Aldi, from its UK base at Atherstone, is targeting 1,200 new stores by 2025.
It currently has more than 890 stores and employs about 35,000 people across the country, and has already created 2,800 new permanent jobs this year and plans to create over 1,200 more.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/aldi-outlines-plans-to-create-almost-4000-jobs
New appointment at Manufacturing Technology Centre
The Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty has appointed Mike Wilson as Chief Automation Officer. Mike will lead the MTC’s drive to increase the adoption of automation throughout UK manufacturing.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/coventrys-manufacturing-technology-centre-appoints-chief-automation-officer/
Codemasters latest Games Development Studio to perform well during lockdown
The extra hours in lockdown have been good news for Codemasters, the award-winning Southam-based videogame developer and publisher specialising in racing games.
The company’s latest report and accounts show that revenues at the company reached £76 million with operating profits just short of £16 million, and the board now anticipates that revenues will be significantly ahead of current market expectations.
https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/lockdown-proves-profitable-for-warwickshire-games-developer/
Technology company wins major communications infrastructure contract
Telent Technology Services, the leading Warwick-based technology and network services company, has secured a new ten-year agreement with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to design, build and operate a next-generation mission critical network.
The new network will connect 155 remote radio sites situated around 11,000 miles of UK coastline, replacing the existing legacy infrastructure with a combination of fibre and microwave technology.
https://t.co/jD0h4oJmDW?amp=1
Bid to bring strength in immersive technologies to the sub-region
Coventry and Warwickshire Creative Futures (CWCF) – a partnership between Coventry University and the University of Warwick - will accelerate research, development, and innovation activity related to the immersive technology sector in the region. The technology encompasses the areas of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) devices.
CWCF has been awarded a seed funding total of £50,000 from the Strength in Places Fund, provided by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/funding-secured-for-immersive-tech-bid
Creative Cluster of national significance by 2025
A call has been made to support a campaign to establish Warwick as a 'creative cluster of national significance' by 2025. Warwick District Council has been working in consultation with more than 400 creative agencies to develop a Creative Framework which is supported by an independent creative sector impact study.
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the authority plans to use the framework to support the recovery and growth of the creative industries and is inviting local organisations to become part of delivering it.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/calls-to-back-creative-cluster-campaign
New spec build industrial unit in Rugby comes to market
Richard Utley Ltd, a local family-owned property company, is celebrating the completion of a new speculative 44,000 sq ft industrial warehouse building at Europark Industrial Estate, on the A5 just outside Rugby town centre.
The new building will cater for both distribution and manufacturing companies and will complement the existing industrial units on the established Europark Industrial Estate, and will help increase the supply of commercial space of this size in Warwickshire.
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/1210/new-warehouse-completed-at-europark-rugby
Apprenticeship support for SMEs
The WMCA set-up the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund to cover the costs of training apprentices at SMEs in the West Midlands, through large employers pledging their unspent levy. Lloyds Banking Group was one of the first large employers to join the scheme with a pledged spend of £1.8 million.
Over the past year, this has funded the training costs of 250 apprentices at 135 SMEs in the region’s fastest growing sectors including business and professional services, adult care, construction, digital and engineering.
https://www.cwlep.com/news/wmca-partnership-lloyds-fu