A round up of latest news-in-brief from our region...
Warwickshire companies among top Midlands scale-ups
Scale-ups in the Midlands have secured more than £241m in venture capital investments in Q3 of 2021. According to KPMG’s latest Venture Pulse Servey, the finances were raised across 27 deals from July to September and were split between early-stage (37%), later stage (22%), angel (19%%) and seed round (22%). Significant investments include Warwick-based Onto, developers of an electric car subscription platform which raised £180m. https://home.kpmg/uk/en/home/insights/2021/10/q-three-global-and-uk-venture-capital-analysis.html
Economic impact of Conference and Events in the West Midlands highlighted
Event delegates spent £2.3bn in the region in 2019, according to research carried out by RJS Associates for the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC). It shows that the region welcomed 10.1 million local, national and international delegates in 2019, the final year when business events were not disrupted or affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2058182-region%e2%80%99s-conference-and-events-sector-%e2%80%98worth-2.3bn%e2%80%99
Colleges get funding to reshape Technical Skills training
Colleges across Coventry and Warwickshire will receive funding totalling more than £5 million as part of a pilot scheme to reshape technical skills training in the region. WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group), Coventry College, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC), and Stratford-upon-Avon College will all receive a slice of the funding after a successful group bid. The funding will be used to create a Coventry and Warwickshire Strategy for Technical Education and create new facilities and courses, as well as seeing staff recruited and trained across the colleges. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/warwickshire-college-group-bags-5-million-to-reshape-technical-skills-training/
BSA launches at National Motorcycle Museum
Following the recent relaunch of Norton, a further local motorcycle brand from the past was relaunched recently in the West Midlands as BSA launched its first new model for 40 years. Ashish Joshi, director of BSA, said a technical centre had already been set up in Coventry where a new electric model would be developed. BSA owner, Indian billionaire Anand Mahindra, has said he hopes to "resurrect the British motorbike industry" with plans for the electric model under the BSA brand. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-59509804Electric motorcycle brand
Further Chinese Investment in E-commerce
Chinese e-commerce business Furnolic Co., the UK subsidiary of Ziel Group, has taken a 10 year lease at Prologis Ryton, on the former Peugeot and Chrysler/ Rootes factory site. The business, which also trades under the name Songmics, Vasagle and Feandrea, specialises in homeware, furniture and pet furniture. The 10-year lease for the 148,461 sq ft unit is Furnolic’s first physical site in the UK. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2058079-chinese-e-commerce-giant-announces-first-uk-site
Rugby opens door to Delponti
Aluminium window and door maker Deponti is establishing its new UK base at Midland 42, Rugby. Headquartered in the Netherlands and with a presence in Belgium, France, Germany and Denmark, Deponti Ltd, has taken a 10-year lease on the 42,238 sq ft warehouse for its UK operations. https://property-news.net/industrial-property-news/deponti-establishes-uk-base-at-logicor-s-midland-42-rugby
New motorcycle brand Maeving UK launches this month
As well as the relaunch of legacy brands, the Coventry & Warwickshire area is seeing the creation of new motorcycle brands. Maeving, based in Coventry, is launching practical electric bikes that “channel the best of British motorcycle design heritage into a new type of electric vehicle.” Maeving said its USP is the bike’s removable battery – which can be charged from any plug socket, whether at work or at home, making it easy to re-fuel. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2058067-electric-motorcycle-brand-revs-up-for-uk-launch
Berry Global to create state-of-the-art recycling facility in Leamington
Developer Stoford has begun the construction of a new production plant for plastics manufacturing company Berry Global for a single purpose-built unit of 138,675 sq ft at the multimillion pound Spa Park in Leamington. The development will be characterised by its strong sustainability credentials, with Stoford targeting an EPC rating of ‘A’ and a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’, as well as net zero carbon in construction. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/stoford-gains-approval-for-final-phase-of-spa-park-and-starts-work-on-berry-global-pre-let/
Contechs launches global first transparent face mask
Warwick-based design and engineering company Contechs has secured full approval from NHS England’s Technical Assurance Division and Four Nations Review Panel for its “revolutionary” transparent face mask, following 12 months of development and an investment of £6.25 million. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/government-approval-secured-for-revolutionary-transparent-face-mask-from-warwickshire-designers/
MTC Looks to 2022 and net-zero Manufacturing Summit
The second annual National Manufacturing Summit says it will focus on sustainable manufacturing, as the UK works towards a net-zero economy. Following COP26, the summit is an opportunity to look at emerging technologies and how to remain globally competitive. Hosted by Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) on February 8th and 9th, the hybrid event will feature live, face-to-face presentations as well as an interactive virtual audience. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2058246-national-manufacturing-summit-to-be-held-in-coventry
Holland & Barrett Invests in Hair and Beauty Digital tech business
Nuneaton-based Holland & Barrett, the leading health and wellness retailer has acquired blow LTD, the home beauty services business. blow LTD will become a subsidiary business of Holland & Barrett International Ltd, and all blow LTD employees will move to the new ownership structure. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/holland-barrett-buys-home-beauty-services-business/
Assured Aviation takes off with Flybe
Flybe has appointed Assured Aviation Services as its ground handling partner at Birmingham Airport, creating more than 100 jobs. As an airport services business, the Warwickshire-based company will provide full ground handling services for the airline including passenger, baggage, cargo and ramp handling and aircraft cleaning. The Flybe brand was recently relaunched, based out of Birmingham International Airport. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2057863-100-jobs-created-as-flybe-as-airport-services-firm-lands-ground-handling-deal