In brief: Manufacturing; Leeds Enterprise Quarter; Hull Wasps; Deli-licious

PROSPECTS for Yorkshire manufacturers have improved over the past three months but challenges remain as companies fail to meet their forecasts for 2013 Q2, according to the second quarter Manufacturing Outlook survey.

According to the survey, published by manufacturers’ organisation EEF and accountants and business advisers BDO in Yorkshire, both output and orders returned to positive territory in the last quarter reporting a balance of +18% and +13% respectively. But manufacturers in the region were expecting an even better performance, with forecasts for 2013 Q2 set at a balance of +42% for output and 33% for orders.

Looking forward, Yorkshire and Humber manufacturers appear confident that output and orders will continue to rise, with a balance of +33% and +16% respectively. 

EEF Yorkshire region director, Andy Tuscher, said: “While the demand environment in major European markets remains weak and some individual industrial sectors are facing their own specific challenges, the widespread improvement in our survey indicators is welcome news. However, a couple of aspects – namely the relative weakness in export orders – suggest that confidence may still be tempered for now.”
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A HUB to help the disadvantaged start a business has been launched in Leeds.

The Enterprise Foundation’s Leeds Enterprise Quarter was officially opened by West Yorkshire’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Tim Hare.

He said: “We are living in difficult times, when hard to reach people are even harder to reach. The Enterprise Foundation is such a great asset to the community and I wish them the very best of British luck with this new initiative.”

The charity will welcome people in from a variety of backgrounds and help them to set up their own businesses, offering financial and business help via mentors with proven track records in business. They will be able to rent, at below market value, desk and/or office space at the hub, based within Headingley Office Park, just outside of the city centre.

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EAST Yorkshire’s National League basketball club, Hull Wasps, has launched a club aimed at small businesses in the Humber region.

The Hull Wasps Premier Club is, according to Wasps chairman Dave Bushnell, the perfect way to mix sport and business.

He said: “It’s an exciting proposition for many small businesses in the region.

“We’ve been working on this for around twelve months and feedback from local businesses so far has been fantastic.

“In a time of economic hardship, many businesses have told us that networking is vital to their overall marketing strategy. We’re proud that the new club provides a way for businesses to come together which will in-turn help build the business market in the region.”

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A CHEF from Leeds City College has taken the leap to run his own business.

18-year-old Bradley Dunhill took up an enterprise opportunity provided by Citu, the team behind pioneering low carbon development Greenhouse in Beeston.
 
Dedicated to creating a sustainable community, Citu runs a number of different initiatives at Greenhouse  to encourage greener living and a more sustainable lifestyle.
 
Mr Dunhill is now the director of Deli-licious, and with support from the Citu directors and the enterprise department at the college, provided by the net315 project, is now on the road to developing a strong, sustainable business.

Creating healthy meals using local ingredients and produce wherever possible, the entrepreneur plans to create dishes using freshly grown fruit, veg and herbs from the Greenhouse allotments.

Leeds City College principal, Peter Roberts, said: “At the college we equip students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen field and also actively encourage entrepreneurship so it is great to see a student embracing the chance to turn his talents into a viable business. We wish him the very best for the future and will continue to support him where we can.”