SME in Brief: Lubrication specialist get bumper order; Passengers now able to fly with pets and more
FUTURE owners of upmarket British four-wheel drive vehicles will be able to relax confident in the knowledge their luggage is secure, thanks to millions of precision holes currently being engineered in Leeds.
Meanwood-based grease fittings manufacturer Kingfisher is working on the roof-rail bolts for future generations of vehicles.
Chairman and managing director John Fisher said: “Basically, we will receive the unfinished parts from one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of specialist fasteners and engineer a hole with a precision-finished thread into a cold-headed bolt. Our expertise in manufacturing millions of holes per week makes this collaboration a rare opportunity for both companies. Ten bolts are required on a single vehicle making this an annual estimated requirement of 700,000 holes – a substantial order.
“It’s also a good opportunity to use our specialist machine tools in a novel way and a very welcome addition to our staple trade of grease nipples.”
Kingfisher produce lubricators for household names such as JCB, Volvo and Scania Trucks, Caterpillar and John Deere. The firm has also supplied lubricators for applications as diverse as the NASA shuttle transporter and the safety chute mechanism in the doors of the European Airbus.
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West Yorkshire-based Chem Resist has reported ‘robust’ trading figures and new contract wins following its third quarter board review.
The Dewsbury company was established 45 years ago and is now one of the largest designers and manufacturers of chemical storage tanks and vessels in Europe.
Managing director Simon Hewitt said Chem Resist’s reputation as the only UK manufacturer of spiral wound thermoplastic tanks is helping drive the positive figures. Market demand led to the firm doubling its manufacturing capacity in 2008.
“An important element in our progress is the diversity of markets in which we operate. In the past nine months of our financial year we have secured contracts from new customers alone totalling well in excess of £600,000,” said Mr Hewitt.
The wins include a complete turnkey project supplying a sulphuric acid dilution plant for a leading pharmaceutical company, supplying storage tanks, processing tanks and a major plant upgrade for a supplier of water treatment and process chemicals and the design and manufacture of two new fume scrubbers for a Halifax chemical manufacturer.
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PASSENGERS can now fly into Multiflight at Leeds Bradford International Airport with their furry friends.
Multiflight has been authorised by the Government to handle domestic dogs, cats and ferrets under the DEFRA/Animal Health Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).
PETS is the system that allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets from certain countries to enter the UK without the need for quarantine.
“Multiflight has become one of only a few private aviation companies approved as a UK entry point for pets and we feel this is an additional service that will be warmly welcomed by pet owners wanting to travel with their pets through Leeds Bradford International Airport,” said Multiflight handling manager Heather Cawthorne.
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LEEDS has been chosen to host the Lions Club International Multiple District 105 Convention 2010.
Next year the Lions Clubs International celebrate its diamond jubilee and the event expects to attract more than 1,000 delegates to the West Yorkshire region between April 29 and to the May 2.
The Armouries will host a gala dinner to mark the 60 years of Lions in the British Isles and Ireland.
Nicola Lockwood, head of Conference Leeds, said: “We are really excited to be bringing a prestigious event like the Lions Club Annual Convention to Leeds. As it is their Diamond Jubilee year the Lions wanted an extra special destination as a backdrop to their celebrations and we are delighted that they chose Leeds.”
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LEEDS International Film Festival has launched a new website this week to promote the Fanomenon range of films within its programme.
Developed by Harrogate-based web design company Magnitude the new website is dedicated to the cult, horror, sci-fi and anime genre films that make up the Fanomenon branch of the film festival.
Chris Fell of Leeds International Film Festival said: “The cult film genre has become so important to the festival that we felt that it warranted its own dedicated website. We are really pleased with the website that Magnitude has created for us. The imaginative design has really captured the essence of what Fanomenon is all about.”
For further information visit http://www.fanomenonleeds.com/
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LEEDS-based AA Office Services has secured a 12 month contract with Executive Offices Group on City Square.
The firm will provide reactive and planned monthly maintenance for all electrical, plumbing and air conditioning services.
Director of AA Office Services Alex Adamson said: “This is another prestigious company which adds to our already growing portfolio including Savills in York who can see the benefit of using a local independent company to work in partnership with their existing facilities managers to deliver a fast response and all important cost savings.”
