News in brief: Monday June 30
HEX Holdings, one of the largest independent automotive refinish distributors in the UK, has acquired the refinish division of Hickley Valtone in a deal funded by The Royal Bank of Scotland (‘RBS’) Group.
The acquisition expands Hex Holdings offering across the South West of England adding two branches to it portfolio across the region in Taunton and Cardiff.
The company will continue to operate from all of its existing locations enabling them to maximise revenue returns and compete aggressively in the markets they operate within.
Founded in 1970 by Nigel and Adena Hecks, Hex Holdings started trading in Leicestershire.
Within 15 years, the company had expanded via organic growth and acquisitions into Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Norfolk, the South West, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Avon, becoming one of the largest independent automotive refinish distributors in the UK.
It now employs over 150 staff and has a turnover of more than £18m.
The deal was put together by Peter Gray and Ashley Lund from the RBS Commercial Banking Team in Leeds together with, Alan Urmston from Corporate Risk Solutions, Leigh Risley from Lombard, the asset finance provider, Sharon Foulds from RBS Invoice Finance and Steve Ward from RBS Structured Debt Solutions.
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LEEDS Chamber is helping employers to access free training and support for employees aged 16 to 17.
The Learning Agreement, a local initiative run by Leeds City Council, offers a flexible and bespoke training programme to help young people develop and advance in their current job roles.
Training is offered at a number of levels and additional support is available to help the young person throughout the course, ensuring minimal disruption to the working day.
For more information about the Learning Agreement and other training opportunities for your employees, call Leeds Chamber on 0113 247 0000, or e-mail malin.sandell@leedschamber.co.uk.
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AINSTY Farms Direct is celebrating its tenth anniversary next week by inviting customers to its farm shop in York Road, Green Hammerton, to “meet the producer” at a tasting session and to watch working sheepdog demonstrations.
The event, on Saturday July 5, is way of thanking customers accords with the shop’s philosophy of showing people the benefits of keeping the distance between farm and plate as close as possible.
Anyone who visits that crowded shop with its , knows the value of good taste and good provenance.
Ainsty Farms Direct, which last year won the Countryside Alliance regional local retailer competition, sells quality local meat, fruit, vegetables, cheeses, preserves, plus deli serving goodies from its in-house bakery.
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A BUSINESS networking group which meets monthly in Huddersfield is returning to its roots with a day at the races.
Members of the Met Club – who go to meetings at the Temujin Restaurant in Milnsbridge – will be at the Ebor Festival in York on Wednesday, August 20.
The day will get under way with a champagne brunch at the Royal York Hotel.
The Met Club was formed four years ago when organiser Christine Armstrong ran a trip to the horse racing event as a way of getting her business contacts together.
