In Brief: Food supply chains created; Brahm helps first direct launch online campaign; Shrewdd new clients; Mechan relocation; Tenon

FOUR new supply chains have been created to help Yorkshire food producers cut costs and increase potential customer numbers.

Malt Supply Chain, United Biscuits Potato Grower Group, North Yorkshire Moors Lamb and the Beef Short Horn Supply Chain have all been set up by food initiative Farexchange Partnership, which was set up to better link the region’s farmers, food manufacturers and retailers more effectively.

Farexchange’s operational manager Paul Rhodes said that long term trading partnerships were the key to unlocking business growth.

The team is in talks with a significant number of Yorkshire and Humber’s farmers and food manufacturers about creating more collaborative supply chains later in the year.

The four new supply chains were announced at a conference examining the twin issues of rising prices and food security.

The Farexchange project is being made available through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and is managed by Yorkshire Forward.

The programme is being delivered in collaboration with English Food and Farming Partnerships, the Regional Food Group, Country Land & Business Association, National Farmers Union, Fare Solutions, Askham Bryan College, Bishop Burton College, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, EBLEX and BPEX.

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first direct is to launch its first social media campaign this month on the theme of ‘those little things’.

The campaign, developed by Leeds-based Brahm’s newly-launched online PR agency OnVisible, supports first direct’s current TV ad and reflects a new direction to the bank’s marketing strategy.

Mark Mullen, head of marketing for first direct said: “The use of online PR and social media reflects the growing importance of the internet, particularly in peer to peer recommendation and word of mouth.

“Social media is a perfect medium for first direct, our customers are technology savvy, heavy online users and keen to embrace new ways of communication.”

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HALIFAX-based marketing company Shrewdd Marketing has secured a string of new clients including Harvard Engineering in Leeds, Sheffield-based Magnomatics and Safety Management & Monitoring Services in Huddersfield.

The firm has also successfully retained the media relations contracts of Redhead International in Bradford and Stonegate Instruments in Leeds.

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CHAPELTOWN-based manufacturer Mechan is relocating to newly refurbished headquarters in Sheffield in a £100,000 move.

The relocation represents an investment in the future quality of Mechan’s products, as the new site offers much improved facilities for its factory staff.

The firm’s entire workforce of 20 is making the move, which will take place in stages to ensure minimal downtime and no loss of production.

Mechan has received help to finance its relocation from Yorkshire Forward, who awarded the firm a Grant for Business Investment.

Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, said: “We are very excited about our imminent relocation, as the new premises offer excellent facilities for both our factory and office staff, in a thriving and easily accessible area of Sheffield.

“The move also has special significance for me personally, as it marks a return to the site of my very first job – a Youth Training Scheme apprenticeship with Davy McKee.”

Mechan is internationally renowned for the production of lifting and handling equipment used specifically in rail depots and workshops, as well as high integrity cranes for use in hazardous environments. The firm’s move also coincides with its 40th anniversary celebrations.

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TENON, the AIM-listed accounting group, has seen its profits rise – helped by the growing number of insolvencies.

The firm, which last month acquired Leeds-based accountant HWSEG, said pre-tax profits grew 8% to 6.4m in the six months to December 31. Turnover was unchanged at £75m.

This growth was helped by the corporate recovery division which increased turnover by 43% to £19.3m.

It now accounts for 26% of the firm’s business, the second biggest sector behind personal financial advice and taxation.

But the recession has dented the Tenon’s corporate finance arm where turnover dropped 32% to £2.9m.

In response it has reduced fixed costs, leading to an exceptional cost during the period of £375,000.

Tenon, which employs nearly 2,000 people nationwide, has offices across the region in Leeds, Wakefield, Doncaster, Hull, Grimsby and Sheffield.