NW business briefs: CDPM; Sutcliffe; CRIMPiT; AlphaBiolabs; Vincents Solicitors; Swansway Motor Group; UVS
Aaron Adams, known for his role as Construction Director at BCEGI and responsible for overseeing the delivery of major developments in Greater Manchester including Middlewood Locks, is charting a new course in the construction and development landscape with the launch of City Developments Project Management Ltd (CDPM).
Based in Manchester and comprising a team of Tier One professionals, CDPM specialises in project management and development, offering a comprehensive suite of services including pre-construction and construction management.
CDPM said one of it’s main priorities is its commitment to cost efficiency. By implementing new methodologies and leveraging the expertise of its team, CDPM aims to reduce project costs by a margin of 10%-15%.
It will also introduce self-delivery models tailored to the specific needs of developers. These bespoke solutions will empower developers to exercise greater control over their projects, driving efficiency and minimising risk.
CEO, Aaron Adams, said: “CDPM represents my vision for the future of construction and development.
“With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, we are committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and transforming the way people live and work.”
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Sean Keyes
North West civil and structural engineering firm, Sutcliffe, has secured its place on Pagabo’s latest Professional Services Framework, focusing on a range of disciplines within the public sector.
As one of only a handful of SMEs to be appointed on numerous lots on the national £1.3bn framework, Sutcliffe will deliver Civil and Structural Engineering, Building Surveying, and Health and Safety Consultancy, including Principal Design services for a range of public sector clients covering the UK. Sutcliffe joins a group of national organisations on the framework to deliver professional services for the NHS and health service providers, education and universities, housing associations, highways and infrastructure, and central government and associated agencies.
Sutcliffe has already completed more than 4,469 public sector projects in the past five years. Its efforts span across the country and its appointment on the framework is reflected in its extensive portfolio of existing public sector projects which includes institutions such as the Liverpool’s Women’s Hospital, Macmillan Cancer Centre, University of Salford and numerous projects for the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Education.
CEO, Sean Keyes, said: “To be appointed on Pagabo’s Professional Services Framework is a wonderful achievement and reaffirms our commitment to the public sector, building on how we have continued to supply quality services to a high level of satisfaction, encouraging collaboration and delivering right first time, every time.
“We take pride in our contribution to vital projects across the UK and as we continue to establish ourselves as leaders in civil and structural engineering, building surveying and geo-environmental, I do not doubt that this appointment on Pagabo’s framework will be one of our many successes in 2024.”
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Chicken Wrap made with CRIMPiT
The CRIMPiT – created in Stockport – is responding to consumer demand with an even more popular product – the CRIMPiT Wrap – and is now launching in the USA.
Colleagues and CRIMPiT founders, Mike Harper and Ian Critchlow, saw their unique toastie device take the UK by storm last year, thanks to its simple effectiveness at creating healthy and quick toasties. They had the idea when they were discussing the need to create quick low carb snacks for early morning sports meets.
The product was a huge success and now, following consumer feedback, they have launched The CRIMPiT Wrap, securing listings in Lakeland, Robert Dyas and Oliver Bonas, and a launch in America. An equally simple to use product, the Wrap – which helps people create wraps without mess – has helped the company grow by 300% year on year, supported by a huge following on social media, celebrity endorsements and national coverage.
Mike said: “Our customers are incredibly engaged with the brand and the toastie tool was very popular, but the recurring message from our customers was to invent a gadget that could be used with wraps. The main issue with making wraps at home is the mess, as people struggle to fold and hold them effectively. We realised this was a genuine consumer need, so set to work to tackle the problem.”
He added: “Working from home and hybrid working has changed lunchtime for ever – but many store bought wrap offerings simply don’t offer the same quality, creativity, health benefits or cost-effectiveness as the CRIMPiT Wrap. We have over 100,000 members in the private Facebook Group sharing recipes, and thousands of five-star reviews on Trustpilot as the device helps people create neat and secure wraps to be enjoyed hot or cold – it’s very versatile. We’ve exciting plans ahead and 2024 will be a very busy year.”
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Warrington-based laboratory, AlphaBiolabs, has again been awarded the contract to provide drug, alcohol and DNA testing services for Warrington Borough Council.
Under the three-year contract, AlphaBiolabs will provide sample collection and back-to-lab analysis services for the Children’s Social Care team, in support of family cases. The company was re-awarded the contract following a rigorous tender process.
Rachel Davenport, Director at AlphaBiolabs, said: “As a Warrington-based business, our contract with Warrington Borough Council means a great deal, as it allows us to assist the Children’s Social Care team in their work with vulnerable children and families across our own borough. With over 20 years’ experience working with family law professionals, social services and local authorities, we fully understand the role that drug, alcohol and DNA testing plays in helping the council make important and often time critical safeguarding decisions.”
Established in 2004, and based at Carina Park, Westbrook, AlphaBiolabs is a key providers of drug, alcohol and DNA testing services for members of the public, family law professionals, social workers, local authorities and the workplace sector.
It also operates 19 walk-in centres across the UK and Ireland – including a location at its head office in Westbrook – providing on-site sample collection appointments for drug, alcohol and DNA testing.
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Vincents Solicitors has opened a new office at Ackhurst Business Park in Chorley. The Lancashire law firm has relocated its 16-strong Chorley team from St Thomas’s Road in the town centre, to the new larger premises to accommodate its expansion.
Chorley is the central hub for Vincents’ fast growing residential property team led by June Caunce, head of the conveyancing department. The new 16,000 sq ft office will allow for the continued growth of the team which supports homebuyers and investors across the central Lancashire area and nationally, and which has tripled in size over the past three years.
Vincents established a team in Chorley in September 2016, following a merger with local firm Yates Barnes and retained the St Thomas’ Road building. The move to Balmoral House at Ackhurst Business Park, which is just off the A581, also improves accessibility for staff and clients with ample parking available on the doorstep.
Phillip Gilmore, Vincents Solicitors’ managing director, said: “We have outgrown the original office thanks to the expansion of the conveyancing department across the business, and particularly under June in Chorley. Although we offer hybrid and flexible working options, many people enjoy coming into the office to work closely with colleagues for part of the week which, together with a general appetite for further recruitment across different service areas of the business, has resulted in a requirement for larger premises.”
Ackhurst Business Park is an established location for a variety of regional businesses, including Northern Trust Company, which owns the site. Nick Hemmings, Regional Property Manager at Northern Trust, said: “Vincent Solicitors’ decision to join Ackhurst Business Park represents a significant addition to our thriving business community on the estate.”
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BYD Seal
Crewe-based Swansway Motor Group is extending its franchise network to include BYD, the Chinese electric car manufacturer.
Representing the brand in two locations in Cheshire, Swansway will be opening BYD sites in Crewe and Chester where the business also has a substantial presence with its Swansway Chester Peugeot retailer and used car supermarket Motor Match.
Opening on May 1, 2024, the BYD Crewe retailer will be located on Beswick Drive, meanwhile, the BYD Chester retailer will be located on Bumpers Lane. Both dealerships will be located alongside Swansway Motor Group’s used car supermarket, Motor Match.
Group Director, John Smyth, said: “We’re eager to see what this partnership will bring for the Swansway Motor Group name, but also our retail and fleet customers. Their focus on electric vehicles reflects the changes in the market and as a brand, BYD is making its mark in the UK and we are looking forward to being a part of that expansion.”
The popularity of electric vehicles is continually rising and BYD’s entrance into the UK market has not gone unmissed, entering the market in early 2023 with the Atto 3, a family SUV, and since then has expanded to include two more models, the Dolphin and the Seal.
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Steve Murphy
Burnley-based video wall expert, Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS), has launched a dedicated international service after receiving widespread global interest in its products.
The move will make it easier for customers around the world to order and install the company’s Lucidity video wall controller technology, either direct from UVS or through its in-country partners. A section of the UVS website is now dedicated to international customers, where they can access specific information and contact details, and the company is recruiting more staff for production and customer support.
UVS already has representatives in Central and Eastern Europe to take advantage of the region’s fast-growing audio visual markets. It also has a distribution agreement with Zodiac Investment Corp in Vietnam, which is its exclusive partner in the region. In recent years, UVS has also worked on projects in more than 20 countries around the world, including USA, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Slovakia, Morocco, Oman, France, Northern Ireland, Eire, Switzerland, Algeria and Belgium.
UVS Managing Director, Steve Murphy, said: “International interest in UVS and our products has grown at a very encouraging rate in recent years and we have now put together a dedicated team and service in response to that.
“We are primarily focused on delivering our Lucidity video wall controller solutions, but in many locations our partners can also offer a complete control room or display package.”
