All the latest news in brief...
Sep
Aston Martin names first female chair ahead of £5bn float
A former Cola-Cola executive has been appointed to steer Aston Martin's £5bn drive onto the London Stock Exchange.Penny Hughes is to become the first female chair of the Warwickshire-headquartered luxury car maker when it goes public in the coming weeks.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/aston-martin-names-first-female-chair-aheadof-5bn-listing
Jaguar to release electric E-Type
Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed plans to release an electric version of its classic E-Type – the same model driven by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day. Production will take place in Coventry.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/jaguar-to-release-electric-e-type
Brewer set for expansion after BGF Investment
A West Midlands brewer is set to expand across the country after securing a multi million-pound investment from the BGF. Warwickshire-based Purity Brewing Co, one of the UK’s largest independent breweries, was founded in 2005 by Paul Halsey and Jim Minkin.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/Brewer-set-for-expansion-after-BGF-investment
Aston Martin confirms IPO plans
Luxury car maker Aston Martin has confirmed it will go ahead with a float on the London Stock Exchange in a listing that is understood to be worth in the region of £5bn.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/aston-martin-confirms-plans-for-5bn-float
Hotel Indigo on recruitment drive ahead of Stratford-upon-Avon launch
Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon has launched a recruitment drive ahead of its opening at the end of November. The new boutique hotel is recruiting for roles within reception, housekeeping, concierge, sales and accounts.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2020834-hotel-indigo-recruitment-drive-ahead-stratford-upon-avon-launch
Video Games maker on track for full-year revenue target
One of the oldest names in Britain's video games industry, which completed a £300m listing on AIM earlier this year, has generated a revenue of £35.5m in the five months to 31 August 2018.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/video-games-maker-on-track-for-full-year-revenue-target
New jobs eyed by historic firm after new funding secured
The Nuneaton arm of a tool manufacturing business formed more than 100 years ago in Detroit is looking to create jobs after securing new funding.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/new-jobs-eyed-by-historic-firm-after-new-funding-secured
Bromwich Hardy complete office investment sale
Bromwich Hardy have been successful in securing the investment sale of a 6,000 SqFt headquarters office building in Leamington Spa for a national client.
https://bromwichhardy.com/bromwich-hardy-complete-office-investment-sale/
Commercial Property Firms’ merger completes
A merger between two Leamington Spa-based commercial property consultants has been completed.The deal between Reeves & Partners and ehB Commercial was first revealed in July.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/commercial-property-firms-merger-completes
Work to start on contractor’s new £2.5m HQ
Work is set to start later this month on a building contractor's new £2.5m headquarters in Warwick after the plans were given the green light.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/work-to-start-on-contractors-new-2.5m-hq
Lodders launches rural sector team
A historic West Midlands-headquartered law firm, which can trace its roots back more than 230 years, has launched a new rural sector team.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/lodders-launches-rural-sector-team
New jobs eyed by historic firm after new funding secured
The Nuneaton arm of a tool manufacturing business formed more than 100 years ago in Detroit is looking to create jobs after securing new funding.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/new-jobs-eyed-by-historic-firm-after-new-funding-secured
Aston Martin welcomes biggest-ever apprentice intake
Aston Martin has welcomed its biggest-ever intake of apprentices and graduates this week.
A total of 50 apprentices and 26 graduates reporting for duty at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon in Warwickshire.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/aston-martin-welcomes-biggst-ever-apprentice-intake
Jul
Contractor eyeing £30m turnover increase
A building contractor in Warwick has said the company is targeting a £30m increase in turnover during its current financial year.
MCS Group is expecting its turnover in 2018 to reach £110m up from £79.7m for the year to 31 December 2017. Its latest accounts were published earlier this month.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/contractor-eyeing-30m-turnover-increase
HOBIRA MIRA handed £700,000 gov contract
Nuneaton-based engineering, research and product testing company Horiba Mira has been awarded a £700,000 government contract for the second phase of the Autonomous Last Mile Resupply project.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/horiba-mira-handed-700000-government-contract
Major milestone for JLR battery project
An energy company has announced a "major milestone" in its £1.3m partnership with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/national/major-milestone-for-jlr-battery-project
Manufacturer to create European HQ in Warwick
Electrical manufacturer Sodick is to build a 45,000 sq ft site in Warwick as it creates a new European headquarters for the business.
The Japanese business has been in Coventry for 10 years and will move its 46 staff, which run its sales, service and marketing support operation, to Tournament Fields.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2019859-manufacturer-create-european-hq-warwick
Big data firm to invest £1.5m in Coleshill expansion
Telematics business Trakm8 is planning to invest £1.5m as part of its growth plans that will see it expand its Coleshill site.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2019058-big-datatrakm8-invest-coleshill
Clinical tech firm secures Midlands Engine funding
Warwickshire-based clinical services technology firm C7 Health has received a six-figure package from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund’s (MEIF) Proof of Concept (POC) & Early Stage Fund.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/clinical-tech-firm-secures-midlands-engine-funding
Historic law firm pushes past £20m milestone
Revenues have topped £20m at historic Warwickshire law firm Wright Hassall, new accounts have revealed.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/wright-hassall-tops-20m-milestone
New escape room planned for town centre
A bid to convert a cycle shop in Leamington Spa into escape rooms has been approved.
The building in Bedford Street will be converted into four escape rooms after permission was granted by Warwick District Council.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/new-escape-rooms-set-for-town-centre
£14.5m housing project gets underway in Nuneaton
A £14.5m project to transform a six-acre former council site into a housing development close to Nuneaton town centre is now underway.
The St Mary’s Road site is being worked on by housing association Midland Heart and Derby-based developer Partner Construction.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/14.5m-housing-project-gets-underway
Manufacturer acquires counterpart
A Warwickshire-based company that makes chemicals for the electronics industry has acquired a manufacturing counterpart in Northamptonshire.
A-Gas Electronic Materials, which is located in Rugby, has snapped up Daventry-based Elga Europe for an undisclosed sum.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/manufacturer-acquires-counterpart
Jun
New Flagship road car revealed by Aston Martin
A new flagship road car with a top speed of 211mph has been unveiled by Aston Martin.
The DBS Superleggera has a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 engine and canacclerate from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and 0-100mph in 6.4 seconds.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/new-flagship-road-car-revealed-by-aston-martin
Medical imaging company captures counterpart
A Warwick medical imaging company has snapped up a counterpart which has operations in Switzerland, the US and Germany.
Alliance Medical Acquisitionco has bought the entire share capital in Piramal Imaging SA, which has its UK operations in Havant, Hampshire.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/medical-imaging-company-captures-counterpart
Revenue surge at listed investment giant
Revenue has surged at Warwickshire-headquartered investment group Mercia Technologies for its latest financial year, according to new figures.
The listed company has confirmed that its revenue, for the year to 31 March 2018, rose to £10.1m, up from £6.6m in 2017.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/revenue-surge-at-listed-investment-giant
Go Ape in talks to open first Warwickshire Site
The company is in discussions with Coventry City Council over opening a site in Coombe Country Park to the east of the city as early as April 2019.
The move would create about 30 jobs and nearest site is currently at Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/go-ape-in-talks-to-open-first-warwickshire-site
Sports car engine production confirmed for Coleshill
Engines for BMW’s latest electrified model, the i8 Roadster, and the new version of the i8 Coupe are to be exclusively produced at its Hams Hall plant.
The Coleshill site has been producing engines for the hybrid i8 Coupe since 2014.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2019152-sports-car-engine-production-confirmed-coleshill
Jobs saved after company sold out of administration
More than 30 jobs have been secured after a Leamington Spa-based electronics business was sold out of administration.
SMT Developments has been bought by electronics manufacturer C-mac Electromag Bvba, which is headquartered in Belgium.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/jobs-saved-after-company-sold-out-of-administration
Online pet food business eyeing £10m turnover target
A Stratford-upon-Avon-based online pet food delivery business has set itself a target of reaching £10m in turnover by 2020 after almost doubling staff levels.
PetshopBowl, which was set up by entrepreneurs Adam and Lexi Taylor in 2010, came about after a period of struggle for the couple following Adam’s redundancy from global financial services firm Lehman Brothers, which collapsed in 2008.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/online-pet-food-business-eyeing-10m-turnover-target
JLR signs european electric car charging deal
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is to supply a charging service for its electric vehicles in selected markets in Europe after signing a new deal with Plugsurfing.
Drivers choosing an all-electric Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV will be given free access to the Jaguar Public Charging app, while Range Rover or Range Rover Sport plug-in petrol-electric hybrid (PHEV) customers can download the Land Rover Public Charging app for free.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/jlr-signs-european-electric-car-charging-deal
Automotive firm announces £5m China plant plans
A Coventry-headquartered manufacturer of industrial automation and tooling systems, which works with the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and Aston Martin, has announced plans to open a new £5m plant in China which will double the company's size.
Expert Tooling & Automation, which also has a base in Houghton-le-Spring in the North East, has formed a partnership with Chinese company Star Eagle Global and established a new business in Hefei, China.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/automotive-firm-announces-5m-china-plant-plans
£5m part-autonomous aircraft concept revealed by Aston Martin
Aston Martin has unveiled plans to build a £5m part-autonomous aircraft which could fly a speed of up to 200mph.
The luxury car maker has presented its Volante Vision Concept at the bi-annual Farnborough Air Show.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/5m-part-autonomous-aircraft-concept-revealed-by-aston-martin
Half-year success for surveillance tech group
Revenue and profits have risen during the first half of Warwickshire-headquartered surveillance technology group Synectics' financial year, according to new results.
For the six months to 31 May 2018, the listed company achieved a revenue of £37.7m, up from £33.7m during the same period in 2017, while pre-tax profits also increased from £1.3m to £1.5m.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/half-year-success-for-surveillance-tech-group
Carillion employees taken on by Warwick firm
Warwick-based Telent Technology Services has been revealed as one of the companies to have taken on former Carillion employees following the construction and facilities management giant's collapse in January.
The company has taken on 360 employees from Carillion to its infrastructure services division and will be transferring in 145 more by September as a result of the Highways England contract win for NRTS2.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/carillion-employees-taken-on-by-warwick-firm
Sport and wellness hub revealed
A new sport and wellness hub at the University of Warwick, which forms part of a £49m investment, has been revealed for the first time.
The centre, which is being constructed by Willmott Dixon, is due to open to the public in nine months and has just been made watertight for the first time.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/sport-and-wellness-hub-revealed
Green light set for 60-hotel plan in Stratford
A bid to retain a 60-bed hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon has been recommended for approval.
Westbourne Leisure, which owns The Oak in Stratford Road, is also seeking permission to demolish a function room and a three-storey rear extension and expand its restaurant.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/green-light-set-for-60-hotel-plan
Work to begin on Warwickshire commercial site
Work will start soon on the construction of the Maricott Court £3m industrial development in Southam, near Stratford on Avon, the first phase of which should be open by the final quarter of this year.
The three acre development consists of 13 new industrial and warehouse units, ranging from 1,873 sq ft up to 6,268 sq ft, two of which have already been sold off-plan and already under offer.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2018829-work-begin-warwickshire-commercial-site