Advanced manufacturing

We must value the BBC, its chief operating officer tells West business leaders at CBI dinner

October 9, 2015
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We must value the BBC, its chief operating officer tells West business leaders at CBI dinner

The BBC must evolve to meet the challenges of an increasingly digital media landscape but must also be valued for future generations, one of its senior managers told West business leaders at the annual CBI regional dinner. Jenny Baxter, pictured, who as chief operating officer, BBC England, is in charge of the BBC’s Bristol...

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More growth on road ahead for aggregates firm as work starts on £8.5m asphalt plant

October 9, 2015
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More growth on road ahead for aggregates firm as work starts on £8.5m asphalt plant

Historic Somerset aggregates and asphalt firm Wainwright is to extend its reach across the South West with the construction of an £8.5m state-of-the-art plant. The asphalt production facility on a 4.5-acre site at Avonmouth, near Bristol, is set to launch early next year. Funded through finance from Barclays, it will give Wainwright, based at...

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West outpaces rest of England for record on business start-ups

October 9, 2015
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West outpaces rest of England for record on business start-ups

The region covered by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been rated as the best of the 39 LEP areas across the country for its record on business start-ups. Research by information agency BankSearch shows 5.7% more businesses were launched in West of England during the first eight months of this...

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Thermal imaging camera firm snapped up by Avon Rubber for £3.5m

October 9, 2015
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Thermal imaging camera firm snapped up by Avon Rubber for £3.5m

Specialist manufacturer Avon Rubber has acquired a thermal imaging camera business for £3.5m to strengthen its protection and defence business. Melksham-based Avon said Argus, which it has bought from UK technology firm e2v, would “modestly” boost its earnings this year and lead to longer-term product development opportunities. Argus, based in Essex, designs and manufactures...

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Skills shortages holding back region’s manufacturers, survey shows

October 5, 2015
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Skills shortages holding back region’s manufacturers, survey shows

More than a third of the South West’s small and medium-sized manufacturers are having their growth plans jeopardised by skills shortages, according to a new survey. The annual Manufacturing Survey by MHA – an association of independent regional accountancy firms – reveals that recruitment issues are acting as a “significant barrier” to expansion for...

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‘National champion’ status granted to EIP in European awards

October 2, 2015
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‘National champion’ status granted to EIP in European awards

Intellectual property law firm EIP has been named as a ‘national champion’ for the UK in The European Business Awards 2015/16 in recognition of its growth strategy. The firm, which has a base in Bath, was one of only 54 UK companies and 678 throughout Europe chosen as national champions from more than 32,000...

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Drug pioneer Vectura lands £5.5m in cash payouts as development projects reach milestones

October 2, 2015
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Drug pioneer Vectura lands £5.5m in cash payouts as development projects reach milestones

Shares in Vectura rose today after the Chippenham-based specialist drug developer announced it will receive multi-million pound cash payments as two of its projects reach development milestones. The firm is to receive €5m (£3.6m) from the development of a treatment for serious lung disease by an unnamed partner firm. The VR876 programme uses one...

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Actual Experience non-exec takes on chief operating officer role to spur further growth

October 2, 2015
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Actual Experience non-exec takes on chief operating officer role to spur further growth

Continued growth at Bath-based digital supply chain management firm Actual Experience has led to it appointing non-executive director Robin Young to the newly created role of chief operating officer. Robin, who joined Actual Experience’s board a year ago, has extensive CIO, COO, technology and operations experience, previously holding positions at blue-chip public companies including...

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Avon Rubber recruits new chief executive from Invensys

October 2, 2015
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Avon Rubber recruits new chief executive from Invensys

Manufacturer Avon Rubber has appointed Rob Rennie as its chief executive officer with effect from December 1. Rob, pictured, joins from UK engineering group Invensys, where he has held a number of senior positions and was part of the team that sold Invensys to French giant Schneider Electric for £3.4bn in 2013. He replaces...

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Global factors trigger sharp fall in sales for West firms but confidence remains high, survey shows

October 1, 2015
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Global factors trigger sharp fall in sales for West firms but confidence remains high, survey shows

Confidence levels for firms across the West of England have fallen on the back of lower sales, fewer new jobs and worsening cashflow, according to the results of Business West’s latest survey. The figures, released this week, show how susceptible the region is to shifts in the world economy, said James Durie of Business...

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