Advanced manufacturing

Global factors trigger sharp fall in sales for West firms but confidence remains high, survey shows

October 1, 2015
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Global factors trigger sharp fall in sales for West firms but confidence remains high, survey shows

Confidence levels for firms across the West of England have fallen on the back of lower sales, fewer new jobs and worsening cashflow, according to the results of Business West’s latest survey. The figures, released this week, show how susceptible the region is to shifts in the world economy, said James Durie of Business...

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Deal gives CEPS bigger stake in wallpaper pattern book company

September 30, 2015
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Deal gives CEPS bigger stake in wallpaper pattern book company

Bath-based mini-conglomerate CEPS has significantly increased its indirect shareholding in one of its portfolio firms, the fabric and wallpaper pattern books producer CEM Press (CEMP). The deal takes CEPS’ holding from 21.4% to 71.5% and is in line with the group’s strategy of acquiring interests in established, cash-generative businesses. Nottingham-based CEMP makes fabric and...

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Rotork looks to overcome low oil price with two strategic acquisitions

September 29, 2015
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Rotork looks to overcome low oil price with two strategic acquisitions

Rotork, the Bath-based global engineering group, has announced two international acquisitions as it seeks to broaden the business in the face of tough trading conditions. The firm, which manufactures specialist valves and flow control equipment for the oil and gas sector, has paid $12.4m (£8.17m) for US firm Roto Hammer Industries and €1.4m (£1.04m)...

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New network aims to promote innovation in region’s life sciences and healthcare sectors

September 28, 2015
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New network aims to promote innovation in region’s life sciences and healthcare sectors

More than 80 of the South West’s top clinicians, academics and businesses attended the launch of a membership group tasked with stimulating the growth of the region’s life science industry. Medilink South West provides knowledge and support to businesses in the key sector, helping them grow and maximise opportunities within life sciences and healthcare....

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Western Powerhouse on the agenda at UK’s largest female entrepreneur festival

September 25, 2015
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Western Powerhouse on the agenda at UK’s largest female entrepreneur festival

Bath and Bristol’s future as a vibrant business centre will be debated by three of the region’s leading business women at the UK’s biggest gathering of female business owners next month. They will take as their starting point the creation of a so-called Western Powerhouse to unite the region and claw back vital powers...

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Contract hassles and strong pound combine to push SciSys into the red

September 24, 2015
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Contract hassles and strong pound combine to push SciSys into the red

SciSys, the Chippenham-based specialist IT firm, has plunged into a £1.1m half-year loss after being hit by problems with a large fixed-price project. Sterling’s strength against the euro also dragged down earnings at the firm, which has its roots in the European Space Agency and has operations in Germany. Revenues for the six months...

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Nuclear group powers up to help Bath firms share in £50bn of work linked to Hinkley Point C

September 23, 2015
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Nuclear group powers up to help Bath firms share in £50bn of work linked to Hinkley Point C

Business West, the organisation that runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, has launched a project to help the local firms benefit from the development of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. Nuclear South West will bring together firms already operating in the sector with academics and other businesses to maximise opportunities linked to Hinkley Point...

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Green is good, say four in five directors in exclusive survey of boardroom views on sustainability

September 18, 2015
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Green is good, say four in five directors in exclusive survey of boardroom views on sustainability

Sustainability is firmly on the agenda for 80% of West of England boardrooms with nearly a third considering it one of their business’s top three priorities, according to an exclusive survey conducted by executive search firm Moon Consulting and Bath Business News. Just 5% are not currently engaged in sustainability activities or do not...

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Top speakers and powerful workshops lined up for Festival of Female Entrepreneurs

September 18, 2015
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Top speakers and powerful workshops lined up for Festival of Female Entrepreneurs

Small business network Enterprise Nation has announced the final line-up for its major event next month aimed at helping female-founded businesses to grow. The Festival of Female Entrepreneurs (FFE) in Bristol will hear from successful women in their field to inspire and advise those setting up on their own or wanting to take an...

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Rotork warning of lower profits triggers share price fall

September 17, 2015
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Rotork warning of lower profits triggers share price fall

Shares in Bath global oil and gas engineering group Rotork tumbled yesterday after it warned that “challenging” market conditions would hit its annual profits. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, the specialist valves and flow control equipment manufacturer said the trading environment in the second half  had been challenging across most of...

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