NW business briefs: Tiger Trailers; Cheshire & Warrington LEP; Private Client Solicitors; Mersey Ferries; Applied Nutrition; Sambro
Winsford trailer manufacturer, Tiger Trailers, has provided 38 rigid box vans for Bolton baker, Warburtons’, fleet.
Warburtons approached Tiger in the winter of 2022, requesting a bespoke, intelligent, and ergonomic design, with durability and accessibility as cornerstones of the build.
Steve Gray, Head of Transport at Warburtons, said: “It has been reassuring to have been involved throughout the design and manufacturing process. We have taken delivery of 10 of the vans already and are very impressed with the final product. We are looking forward to a further 28 due joining our fleet in spring this year.”
Built on 14-tonne DAF chassis from local firm Lancashire DAF, each rigid is fitted with Warburtons-specification racking along its sides, along with adjustable centre aisle load bars to suit the customer’s loading requirements. The rigids also boast crew doors on each side of the body’s rear to expedite the loading process.
Tom Stott, Technical Sales Manager at Tiger Trailers, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work closely with Steve and his team at Warburtons.
“At Tiger we are proud to offer competitive lead times, and guarantee a premium product without compromising on quality. To have done so for one of Britain’s most recognisable brands is something to be celebrated, and we are hopeful to build on the relationship we have established with Steve and Warburtons in the future.”
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Clare Hayward, Cheshire & Warrington LEP
Cheshire and Warrington LEP has secured £2.4m for skills bootcamps to help more than 600 people fast track into jobs, doubling the previous year’s allocation.
LEP officials have urged education providers and businesses to come forward to help deliver the bootcamps which cover a wide range of areas such as green skills, digital skills, logistics, and skills in the rail sector. These flexible courses of up to 16 weeks give local employers the opportunity to recruit people with the skills they need or develop the skills of their existing staff.
They also give local residents the chance to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to a guaranteed interview or access new roles and opportunities with their current employer. To date, funding secured by the LEP has allowed 619 people aged 19 or over to attend 34 bootcamps in a host of specialisms to reflect skills gaps and employer need with the current diverse range of courses including rail track maintenance, event security and 3D printing and digital manufacturing.
The bootcamps are free for all unemployed or self-employed people and for anyone in a job a small contribution from the employer will be required.
Clare Hayward, chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We welcome this additional funding which is testament to the hard work of all involved to deliver skills bootcamps that are matched against the needs and gaps of employers and to ensure Cheshire and Warrington’s workforce can progress and are equipped with the right skills in a fast-changing environment.”
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From left: Charlie Caine, Jaima Mistry, Atola Tamika-Fearon, Melissa Copple
Private Client Solicitors has revealed that a surge in casework has led to its staff numbers almost doubling in the course of the past year.
Despite only opening its doors at the start of 2022, the Manchester-based boutique firm is advising some of the UK’s most high-profile business owners and wealthiest individuals, alike. The arrivals of Associate Solicitor Jaima Mistry and Office Manager Atola Tamika-Fearon have taken the number of Private Client Solicitors’ employees from 17 to 32.
Managing Partner, Tasnim Khalid, said: “The last year has been truly remarkable, not just in terms of growth but the degree to which our good reputation has extended across the UK and overseas. That has meant clients seeking us out for assistance to deal with some of the most sensitive issues they’re ever likely to encounter, such as estate planning, contentious probate or business succession.
“A further benefit, though, has been the fact that some of our legal peers at other firms recognise the quality of our work and want to join what is a very accomplished, vibrant team. We have not lost sight, however, of our desire to also help young lawyers develop their careers in keeping with the very high standards that we have set. Getting that balance right is an essential part of our future plans.”
As well as Ms Khalid and her fellow partners, Paul Gotch and Nicola Walker, the firm has been able to attract a number of notable fee-earners, including Senior Associate Lucy Fairey and Associates Naomi Isherwood, Michelle Tonge and Jaima Mistry. The recruitment of Mrs Tamika-Fearon – who brings many years of experience in the legal and financial services industries – adds to a burgeoning support staff which already boasts Client Relationship Director Ryan Lewis.
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Mersey Ferry Snowdrop
Mersey Ferries has seen an increase in the popularity of its River Explorer Cruise following a boost in visitors to the popular attraction.
Tickets sales increased by more than 12% in summer 2023, beating those of pre-pandemic levels, and securing the iconic Ferries as a ‘must see’ in the Liverpool City Region.
The River Explorer Cruise has been touring the Mersey for many years, introducing passengers to landmarks across Liverpool City Centre and the Wirral from a unique vantage point. But it’s not just tourists that are attracted to cruise, regular visitors also include residents and local people keen to share in the delight of travelling along the Mersey on the most recognisable boats on the river, the Royal Iris and Snowdrop.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Portfolio Holder for Transport for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: “To travel on the Mersey Ferries is a unique experience that’s steeped in history, with highlights including playing host to The Beatles and being a vital cross-river service for more than 800 years. To be able to share our history with visitors from around the world and introduce them to a little more of the place we call home is a great privilege.
“We have the many people behind the Mersey Ferries to thank for their continued hard work to keep the boats moving, without them we wouldn’t be able to operate our daily services. It’s thanks to this continued dedication that we hope to be celebrating a lot more successes in the future.”
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Knowsley-based sports and active nutrition brand, Applied Nutrition, has added Olympic Champion cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins to its roster of official Applied Nutrition Athletes.
Wiggins was the first person from the UK to win the Tour de France in 2012. He has won eight Olympic medals including five Gold.
He is the only rider to win both the Tour de France and Olympic Gold in the same year, winning them a week apart in 2012. He was knighted in 2013 for his services to cycling.
Applied Nutrition said: “We are honoured to have an Olympic legend in Team Applied Nutrition.
“Bradley will be fuelled by our Endurance range, and will be using his extensive expertise and knowledge to provide you with the small marginal gains you need to win.”
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Care Bears
Bury-based global toy manufacturer and distributor, Sambro International, has announced an extended licensing partnership with multi-platform entertainment studio, Cloudco Entertainment, to extend its Care Bears Baby range.
Sambro has worked closely with Cloudco since 2020, and this new deal will see the two collaborate to launch and distribute an extensive collection of plush and baby activity toys. The Care Bears Baby infant activity toy range will comprise tummy rollers, activity cubes, activity spirals, storybooks, comforters, bag clips, and an interactive sensory Care Bear. All products will feature classic Care Bears characters, including Bedtime Bear, Cheer Bear, and Funshine Bear.
An extended range of plush toys, including Care Bears My First interactive sensory plush and two exciting new Care Bears characters for 2024 – Good Luck Bear and Love-A-Lot Bear – are also planned under the new agreement.
Sambo has long-standing partnerships and award winning relationships with many of the world’s top licensors including Disney, Hasbro, Paramount, and Mattel. This year, the toy firm announced further partnerships in the preschool space, including Acamar Films and Cosatto.
Sambro Brand and Licensing Director, Clare Rix, said: “This is an exciting partnership for Sambro and it follows on from a successful launch of our initial plush range for Cloudco’s Care Bears Baby franchise. When we renewed our partnership with Cloudco, we saw an opportunity to strengthen our ‘from birth’ offering, following the success of our Cosatto baby development range which launched last year.”
