Defence manufacturer Avon Protection has secured its second multi-million pound deal in as many weeks with an order from US military chiefs for its state-of-the-art helmets. The Melksham-based group, which specialises in protective gear, masks and breathing equipment for the military and first-responder markets, is to supply the US Defense Logistics Agency with another...
Nine in 10 mid-sized firms based in the South West shrugged off the national economic gloom last year to achieve their forecasted growth, according to a new survey. Now nearly a third plan to launch new products or services to continue to expand this year, despite challenges linked to the ongoing cost of living...
Pre-Christmas sales at iconic Somerset-based fashion business Mulberry tumbled by more than 8% as the cost of living crisis forced shoppers to cut back on luxury spending. Mulberry, best known for its top-of-the-range handbags, also blamed what it described as “challenging macro-economic backdrop” for the sales decline. The firm, which has manufacturing sites at...
Defence manufacturer Avon Protection has landed a multi-million euro order to sell specialist breathing gear for divers to the German navy. Under the deal, precise details of which have not been disclosed, the Melksham-based group will supply its multi-role rebreathers and ongoing technical support. Avon Protection, which specialises in protective gear, masks and breathing...
Staff wellbeing will go under the spotlight at a business breakfast in Bath next month, with a panel featuring two of the city’s most successful entrepreneurs. The event, on 9 February, is being staged by Bath BID in partnership with Bath Forum. It is the first in a quarterly series linked to popular topics from...
Fewer than one in five West of England businesses have confidence in the UK's economic outlook this year, according to a new survey – yet almost two-thirds are optimistic about their own prospects. Key challenges identified by firms in the region as 2024 gets under way are interest rate levels and labour shortages, according...
The West of England needs to come up with some “big, bold ideas” this year if it wants the government to treat it as a regional powerhouse similar to the North and Midlands, the leader of the region’s largest business group has said. In his New Year message, Phil Smith, managing director of Business...
Supply chain problems that were holding back deliveries to customers of Bath manufacturer Rotork earlier in the year are now easing, the group has said. Rotork, which designs and makes flow control equipment for the international oil, gas, water and chemical industries, had been hit by worldwide bottlenecks, including a major shortage of microchips...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, voiced its disappointment that, once again, the West of England had been overlooked when it came to major government spending commitments. Its director of policy Matt Griffith, pictured, pointed out the region had failed to be selected as one of the government’s investment zones – “the second time...
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris attacked Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement for failing to tackle key, long-standing issues for the region The Labour mayor, pictured, who leads the West of England Combined Authority, said: “After 13 years of Conservative Government, the question West of England residents will be asking at the next...
