SME in Brief: ECUS environmental approval; Water forum re-launch; Insurance move; Wonderwood to stay; New internet exchange

ECUS, the Sheffield-based environmental consultancy, has been approved to work with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) in providing part-funded, practical environmental support to manufacturing companies in Yorkshire.

This subsidised support provides manufacturing companies with the opportunity to take significant steps towards improving environmental performance, realising cost savings, meeting client requirements and increasing competitive advantage in the supply chain.

ECUS has found that despite the recession, environmental and sustainability issues remain high on the agenda of the manufacturing sector in the UK.

Increasingly stringent environmental legislation, supply chain pressures, rising energy and waste disposal costs are leading many companies to review their environmental impact and make commitments to improve performance.

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COMPANIES that supply products and services to the water and waste water industries in Yorkshire are to get a business boost with the re-launch of the Water Industry Forum at an event in Bradford on October 14

The Water Industry Forum (WIF) is a business network supported by Yorkshire Forward which aims to develop business opportunities for companies in the water and waste water sector, provide support with advice on new legislation, and help businesses capitalise on emerging technologies. WIF will also help members in the areas of export, innovation and product development.

WIF re-launch event at Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford on Wednesday, October 14 will include a ‘Quick Wins’ Workshop, lunchtime exhibition, and a presentation on future activities.

For further information on the Water Industry Forum, or to attend the re launch event, email: info@waterindustryforum.com or contact Peter Drake on 01484 433204.

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YORK-based The Insurance Partnership has relocated its city branch into £2m state-of-the-art offices on Monks Cross Drive.

Stuart Brierley, associate director of the group, said the move was a significant step marking the firm’s achievements over the last 10 years and its plans for the future.

“As our business continues to develop, so does our needs. This location provides us with a place where we can continue to grow and provide even better services to our clients,” he said.

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WONDERWOOD – the hybrid ‘art and park’ in Holbeck Urban Village – is to become a permanent installation.

Sustainable investor igloo Regeneration has announced that ‘Wonderwood’ will remain on site through the winter months having become a key attraction in the area.

The installation has provided a space for a variety of events including live jazz and yoga. igloo Regeneration will take over responsibility for the space from the Holbeck Urban Village team.

Paul Simmons from igloo said: “Over the coming months, we want to help businesses and residents in Holbeck stay connected with Wonderwood acting as a focal point, but also to play a part in drawing people from the wider community down to this dynamic area, and beyond.

“We want Holbeck Urban Village to be seen as a great place to live, work and visit and see ‘Wonderwood’ as playing a vital role in helping us to achieve this.”

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BARNSLEY and Sheffield firms will be among the first firms to have access to a new breed of internet exchange, which will allow them to ‘peer’ or share content with other companies on the network.

The exchange, owned by Cheshire-based NWIX is called Edge-IX, is the UK’s first distributed internet exchange providing services from all locations on its peering LAN (Local Area Network) platform providing businesses with professional peering services not just within a single city but across the UK.

The East Midlands and Cambridge are also included in the roll out with plans for the West Country and the West Midlands in place for 2010.

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LLOYDS TSB Commercial Finance has launched a service to help Yorkshire SMEs guard against bad debts as insolvencies are forecast to reach record highs.

Debtor insurance protects a firm’s sales ledger by insuring up to 90% of any bad debts, both in the UK and internationally, suffered as a result of customer insolvency or the non-payment of invoices.

Nick Robson, regional director of Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance in the North East, said: “Even the strongest companies can be significantly affected if a major customer suddenly fails. One bad debt can have a dramatic effect on a firm’s balance sheet and wipe out years of hard work.

The scheme includes a credit monitoring service, which alerts businesses to changes in the circumstances of their customers so they can identify a potential risk before it becomes a bad debt.

Companies are also able to interactively manage the facility online and request limits on their customers.

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