Chamber member, RG Carter has been successful in securing the contract to build Dudgeon Offshore Wind’s new Operations and Maintenance base in Great Yarmouth. The base will be located at Berth 9, next to the River Yare within the Great Yarmouth Port. Work commenced in early July and is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2016.
RG Carter have been contracted to convert an existing warehouse into Dudgeon’s permanent office and logistics facility. The finished building will include a two storey facility, integrated into the existing framework of the warehouse. There will be sufficient spaces for Dudgeon’s onshore workforce, as well a dedicated 24 hour a day control centre to monitor and mange the windfarm’s production.
Commenting on the awarded contract, Rune Rønvik, the Dudgeon Operations Manager said:
“Commencing building work on Dudgeon’s new O&M base is a significant milestone for the project as we continue our preparations for the wind farm’s operational phase” comments. We are happy to have awarded this important contract to RG Carter and look forward to further establishing ourselves as an integral part of the local business community.”
Percentage of UK businesses reporting increased export sales remains flat for the 5th quarter in a row at 29%
A quarter (25%) of exporters saw decreased sales, while 46% report no change
Concerns over manufacturing recovery as exporters report unprecedented cost pressures and inflation worries
A survey of over 2,600 UK exporters has revealed that overseas sales growth has been effectively stagnant for more than a year since the economy fully reopened after lockdown.
The BCC’s quarterly Trade Confidence Outlook for Q2 2022 showed the proportion of exporters reporting increased overseas sales to be unchanged from Q1 at 29%, while those reporting a decrease remained at 25%.
This compares to around 40% of businesses consistently reporting increased domestic sales across the same time period in the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).
Manufacturers trading overseas are under particular pressure, with only 39% expecting their profitability to increase in the next twelve months, compared to 48% of service sector exporters. This compares to 43% of all businesses surveyed in the QES.
Manufacturing exporters are also the most likely (78%) to expect to raise prices in the next year, a record high.
Almost nine out of 10 (89%) firms in this sector cite ‘raw materials’ as their biggest cost pressure, with 74% citing ‘utilities’ and 70% citing labour costs.
Responding to the findings, Chief Executive Officer at the Norfolk Chambers, Nova Fairbank said:
“The combination of supply chain disruption, soaring prices, and the impact of Brexit red tape and compliance costs has had a chilling effect on exports, especially for smaller firms already scarred by the pandemic.
“Recent ONS figures have shown in increase in exports to the EU, driven in part by shortages caused by the war in Ukraine. But our data shows there are serious underlying issues – which are hitting smaller manufacturing exporters the hardest.
“Any new Prime Minister must acknowledge the huge challenges being faced by our exporters – often the most dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking businesses in the UK economy.
“Then Government must help businesses to harness the opportunities provided by existing free trade agreements, and those coming on stream. Far too many firms are either unaware of the possibilities or are uncertain how to take advantage.
“Chambers of Commerce have the expertise and business network to help Government shift the dial. By working together, we can build an end-to-end support service for our exporters which could truly make a difference.”
Future Spaces was held on Thursday 21st July, and hosted by Layrd Design at Norwich City Football Club. The event was all about exploring sustainability and wellness in interior spaces.
The event started with networking with a selection of drinks and plant-based canapes offered to the attendees followed by an introduction to the event by Will Mayes from Layrd Design.
The first speaker was Ruscha Fields from The Good Plant Company. Ruscha talked about biophilic design and how to successfully incorporate planting within the workplace. Ruscha stated that having plants present makes us feel connected to nature and the environment ultimately making us feel relaxed and calmer. Having plants in the workplace has been proven to enhance wellbeing and increase productivity. If you are worried about the upkeep of having numerous plants around the office then why not get artificial plants, these give off the same positive effect as real plants. Ruscha was also involved in the Moss workshop which took place after her talk. Here attendees built their own moss frame which they could take home and put in their office.
After a short break, Michael Aastrup from Tarkett talked about their company’s approach to sustainability. Tarkett is the 3rd largest flooring company in the world, and they have now taken the approach of putting sustainability first ahead of design and functionality. Tarkett recycle old carpets and fishnets for yarn and even acquire the film from car windscreens to use in their products. Michael stated how committed Tarkett is to better living spaces and promoting healthy indoor environments, one way they show this is with their unique dust capture system in their carpets.
The last speaker to finish the event was Nathan Huxley from Orange Box. Nathan spoke to us about the importance of being/working together and creating spaces people want to be in. He spoke to us about the idea of relationship buildings “where the ‘office’ is no longer the health problem, it’s the wellness solution”. The top of the terrace, where the event was held was kitted out with furniture from Orange box for everyone to try, which you can see below. A group favourite was their QT pod which provided privacy and comfort to work in.
Future Spaces provided some interesting points businesses should consider around sustainability and wellbeing in the workplace, and how having a small plant on your desk can make a huge difference.
The King’s Lynn Climate Change Expo was held at the Corn Exchange on Tuesday 21st June 2022 from 10am – 4pm.
The purpose of the event was to showcase the best Norfolk businesses who are able to support businesses and individuals on their net-zero journey, to inform on decarbonisation measures available to local businesses, and provide advice on how to progress decarbonisation works, to reach the 2050 net-zero target.
The event was free to attend, and we saw many organisations send multiple employees. They were representing a total of 75 organisations across Norfolk, from micro to large corporates, including, Aviva, the US Airforce, the MOD and Konectbus.
The indoor space ranged from a full shell scheme to stand-alone tables, and outside exhibitor space was on the Tuesday Marketplace.
The indoor Exhibitors featured Norfolk businesses including The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and event Co.llaborators, The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk.
With special thanks to our Sponsors, Westcotec and to all of our exhibitors, workshop speakers, and attendees.
Special thanks also to Paul Kunes B.A. (Hons), Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate change and CO2 reduction, and the team at The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk.
You can view the event photos on our Facebook page here
The Skills Funding Agency is running a series of small business webinars to inform and update on apprenticeships and traineeships. A series of six 30 minute webinars will be available to small businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk for free!
The webinars will feature a presentation delivered by an apprenticeship expert, Anna Morrison. They will cover a range of topics on apprenticeships from: the business benefits; employers’ experiences on how apprenticeships have worked for them; and the Government grants available to support with salary costs.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“At Norfolk Chamber our apprentices form an integral part of our work force and are a valuable asset to our business. I would recommend all employers to find out more about apprenticeships and so we welcome these short free webinars, which will help answer many employers’ questions.”
The free webinars will be held on the following dates:
Andrea, one of our account managers visited Teknomek’s factory on the 4th of August.
“Yesterday I had the pleasure of having a tour around our member Teknomek’s factory. They have devised an amazing traffic light system in their factory which has increased their productivity massively.
Teknomek make products out of stainless steel for food preparation businesses and they also work with pharmaceuticals and hospitals. Due to the increase in productivity, they have freed up space in their workshop to enable them to bring in Adhoc work for other businesses.
They are currently looking to insource work from manufacturers that use stainless steel as core components for their products that don’t have the capacity to fulfil their orders. For example, during the pandemic, they were making stainless steel hand sanitiser units for a client that couldn’t keep up with demand.”
“This rise is the clearest signal yet of the Bank of England’s intention to get inflation under control. Spiralling prices are cited by businesses as by far and away the top concern right now.
“However, given the extremely precarious state of the economy, this decision is not without risk for businesses and consumers that are exposed to banking or overdraft facilities.
“There are many causes of the current inflation crisis – global supply chain problems, trade barriers, soaring energy costs, increased taxes, and labour market shortages. Interest rate rises alone will do little to address these.
“Worryingly, our research indicates strongly that most small businesses are not investing for growth, and that longer-term confidence is beginning to wane.”
The Bank of England’s Governor correctly highlighted in his recent Mansion House speech how the incredibly tight labour market is putting upward pressure on inflation.
The BCC has written to the Government outlining a three-point plan on how it can work with businesses to solve these recruitment difficulties.
The steps are:
– Firms must be encouraged to find new ways of unlocking pools of talent – by investing more in training their workforce, adopting more flexible working practises and expanding use of apprenticeships;
– Government must help employers invest in training by reducing the upfront costs on business and providing training related tax breaks; and
-The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) must be reformed to allow sectors facing urgent demand for skills to get what they need.
Co.ngraulations to our International Trade Apprentice Ethan Saunders-Johnson for successfully completing his training as an authorised signatory for ATA Carnets.
What are ATA Carnets?
Do you have to take samples with you on your overseas sales trips?
Do you participate in Overseas Trade Fairs or Exhibitions?
Do you ever need to take Professional Equipment overseas?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may find that using an ATA Carnet will make the trip so much easier.
The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty/tax free TEMPORARY import of goods for up to one year.
Using an ATA Carnet cuts out the red tape for you at border points avoiding cash deposits and the like in the country of temporary importation.
The Broads Authority is producing new guidance on the subjects of mooring and riverbank stabilisation design.
The Authority has an existing guide for Riverbank Protection Works which is over ten years old. As part of the Local Plan review process, Officers have reviewed the guide with the intention of making the content more up to date to reflect current practice and lessons learned.
The consultation responses are intended to give would-be designers/developers of riverbank stabilisation and moorings high level information to help inform the way forward with their design and highlight some of the common issues which such development needs to consider.
A Norfolk-based financial advice firm is urging local people not to overlook their retirement savings, as new figures show billions of pounds in UK pensions are currently unclaimed.
To mark Pensions Awareness Week, 15th -19th September, Planit Financial has launched a free Pension Health Check, a quick online quiz that helps people understand if they’re on track for retirement.
“Most people wouldn’t ignore their health or skip an MOT on their car, but when it comes to pensions, too many people put it off,” said Rebecca Penny, Managing Director at Planit Financial. “We know from speaking to clients that pensions feel complicated and overwhelming, which is why we’ve designed this free tool to make it simple and accessible.”
The health check takes on average five minutes to complete and includes 25 simple questions. At the end, users receive a personalised report highlighting the health of their pension and any steps they may need to take.
According to recent research, over £31.1 billion worth of pensions are currently unclaimed in the UK, often because people have lost track of old workplace pensions or don’t understand what they’re entitled to. Planit Financial hopes the free Pension Health Check will encourage more people across Norfolk to take action.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has called on its members who collect, sort, and deliver parcels and letters to take strike action on the following dates:
• Friday 26 August 2022
• Wednesday 31 August 2022
• Thursday 8 September 2022
• Friday 9 September 2022
Due to these strikes, we may not be able to guarantee next-day delivery for any documentation produced in the days leading up to and after the strikes.
UK economic growth in Q2 unrevised, as the trade deficit narrows and investment rises.
UK unemployment rises again, but earnings continue to outstrip inflation.
US growth is revised up sharply, but China weighing heavily on the global outlook.
Based on August 2015 data releases, this month’s economic review showed that UK GDP growth in Q2 remain unrevised at 0.7%. In Q1 a 0.4% rise was recorded. In annual terms the UK economy grew by 2.6% in Q2. The UK’s trade deficit narrowed by £13.4 billion in Q1 2015 to £9.1 billion in Q2 2015.
Overall the UK job market weakened in the 3 months to July 2015. However, here in Norfolk the trend was somewhat different. In the same period, those seeking Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Norfolk continued to fall from 6,679 to 6,518. Strong real wage growth continued. Wit two thirds of UK GDP being driven by consumer spending, the rise in real earnings and therefore consumer’s spending powe will continue to support growth.
The economy is the Eurozone grew by 0.3% in Q2 2015. Although this was down slightly from Q1 growth of 0.4%. US growth was revised sharply upwards, as the second estimate of US GDP relvealed that the US economy grew at an annualised rate of 3.7% in Q2.
Despite cutting interest rates and devaluing their currency, the Chinese economy remains a major concern. China is the world’s second largest economy and accounts for a quarter of global GDP growth. This means that the uncertainty over China’s economic outlook is starting to weighon the overall global economy.