In brief: Profits dip at Joseph Holt & more
FAMILY-owned brewer and pub operator Joseph Holt saw sales growth in 2014, but profits dipped amid tough trading conditions.
Newly-filed accounts for 2014 show sales growing 3% from £46.2m to £47.7m, but profits falling £300,000 to £2.5m.
Chief executive Richard Kershaw said: “The brewing industry continues to experience tough trading conditions. The company has made significant efforts in developing its managed estate, tenanted opportunities and free trade business but operating profit remains under pressure from cost increases and the general downturn in the economy.”
Based in Cheetham Hill, close to Manchester’s Strangeways prison, Joseph Holt was founded in 1849 and is an award-winning brewer. It operates around 120 pubs in the region.
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MANCHESTER-based security software firm Avecto has announced a Mac version of its innovative Defendpoint software as it bids to transform the OS X security market.
The announcement of Defendpoint for Mac will allow enterprises to gain the same level of security, control and usability that has been previously reserved for its Windows-based solution.
Paul Kenyon, executive vice-president at Avecto said: “It is naive to think that Macs are more secure than Windows devices as that is a totally false perception. With Macs becoming an increasingly popular choice in business, it is no longer possible to ignore the growing risk they present.
“Defendpoint for Mac is a huge step forward in enterprise security. It fills the gap and creates a level playing field with Windows, allowing IT departments to gain control of the growing number of Macs for the very first time.”
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SAFETY seal manufacturer Roxtec has completed a deal to provide bespoke cable seals for a new electrical switch room at King’s College Hospital in London.
The Bury firm was tasked with sealing a wide range of new and existing cables to protect the hospital’s switchboards, distribution panels and circuit breakers against water ingress and fire.
Roxtec UK managing director Graham O’Hare said: “Thanks to the versatility of our products, we were able to seal the existing low voltage cables which were going through a variety of structures, new and old. These included metal plate mounted, brick and concrete cable entries.”
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MANCHESTER-based Carfinance247, the online motor finance broker, has been authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the regulatory scheme that came into force last year.
Louis Rix, director and co-owner of Carfinance247, said: “Becoming FCA -authorised reinforces our high standards of service to consumers and lending partners alike. This is another proof point that we’re exceeding the market in our standards and our commitment to compliance.”
The approval comes on the back of the best year of trading for Carfinance247, with a growth of 280% in its last financial year.
