SmartKem Limited, IQE plc, The Magstim Company, IR Newport, Axiom Manufacturing Services and SPTS Technologies are amongst dozens of high-tech companies in Wales that have been recognised for their success and initiatives to improve their impact on the environment, local communities and the economy.

Amongst those receiving praise in recent weeks is St Asaph-based SmartKem.

The company which delivers ‘organic’ semiconductor materials used in the manufacture of ultra thin, lightweight and flexible electronics for products such as TV’s, PC’s, tablets and mobile phones, received praise for the quality of its advanced semiconductor materials after it achieved performance “better than amorphous-silicon” in recent testing.

Commenting on its success, Steve Kelly, CEO, said: “There is a strong drive in the electronics sector towards printable transistors that will enable low cost, portable devices such as thin-film TV’s, lightweight smartphones and tablet PC’s.

“This is an exciting time for the business and we are thrilled that our organic semiconductor materials out-performed amorphous-silicon in recent independent testing.

“Our materials have the potential to enable a substantial breakthrough in the development of high performance printable transistors – the holy-grail for the electronics market. We have already commenced sampling programs with major device manufacturers in the UK and mainland Europe and are putting plans in place to expand this test program into the Asia market.”

Ian Menzies, Chairman of professional membership organisation, the ESTnet, which represents companies and individuals working with Electronic and Software Technologies in Wales said: “Companies working with Electronic and Software technologies in Wales are still largely optimistic about the future.

“According to the findings from our latest quarterly Trend Survey which is carried out in association with the UK Electronics Alliance (UKEA), over a third (36.4%) of those surveyed said they have more confidence in the markets for the next 12 months than they had last year.

“When measured across the UK, we see a reduction in both the short term (next quarter vs. last quarter) and long term (next year vs. last year) market confidence.

“Not surprisingly, ESTnet members have also commented on the number of uncertainties, including events in the Eurozone, supply chain restrictions including availability of raw materials and slower order books which are making future predictions difficult.”

Mr Menzies added: “In spite of this and a widely anticipated flatter growth curve, many electronics and software companies based in Wales are doing well, have (and further expect to) increase their market share, and are being recognised for their success. For an industry which will drive the global economic recovery, this is very encouraging indeed!”

In celebrating the important role of the industry and members’ successes, the ESTnet will be hosting its Gala Dinner at the City Hall, Cardiff on March 2^nd.

Mr Menzies said: “The evening will reflect on an exciting year, highlighting the many success stories that have been created throughout the industry. This prestigious evening will also be an excellent opportunity to network, renew relationships and form new ones.”

The first Annual Report of the Climate Change Commission for Wales, which seeks to advise  Welsh Government on climate change, highlights the many benefits a clear and consistent strategic approach will have beyond tackling climate change.

These include, amongst others, secure long-term energy supplies, better air quality, more comfortable homes and numerous opportunities for businesses which are developing products and services using low carbon technologies to thrive.

However, the Annual Report, which follows closely after the recent publication of the Climate Change Risk Assessment for Wales – produced as part of the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) – says Welsh Government faces a number of key challenges that require urgent and collective action.

Amongst these challenges are:

• Continuous delivery against difficult decisions to ensure low carbon and other requirements are given priority within current investment programmes;
• The need for early and coordinated action as the low carbon, resilient economy is being developed;
• All sectors of society need to understand and embrace their collective responsibility to deliver the Climate Change Strategy;
• The progress being made needs to be measured regularly and assessed against agreed targets;
• The requirement for structural change within public and private sector organisations, the way technology is developed and how organisations and communities respond.

Peter Davies, Chair of the Climate Change Commission, and Commissioner for Sustainable Futures, said: “With only around one third of emissions reductions within the Climate Change Strategy for Wales expected to come from policies solely under the control of Welsh Government, we need urgent, radical and sustained action from all sectors of society.

“Welsh Government is already demonstrating that it is on the right path towards tackling climate change and annual reduction targets are comparable with the more ambitious reduction plans globally.

“However, it is essential that we not only ensure these targets are delivered, but that the ambition levels of these targets are kept under review.”

He added: “In ensuring this, the Climate Change Strategy must be set in the context of our commitment to sustainable development.

“It must be delivered in a way that promotes social justice and recognises that those most vulnerable will be hardest hit by climate change impacts.”

In addition to its advisory role to Welsh Government, the Climate Change Commission is also tasked with mobilising action, building consensusacross different industry sectors andscrutinisingand reportingon progress to date.

In taking this forward, the Commission makes a number of key recommendations to Welsh Government including:

1.  Develop and communicate a coherent strategic approach to adaptation;
2. Show clear and consistent leadership on the work in the low carbon spatial plan;
3. Prioritise communities, infrastructure and business and tourism Sectoral Adaptation Programmes (SAPs); 
4. Implement clear performance measures against each SAP; and
5. Support the delivery of low carbon projects (renewables, transport infrastructure) and coherent regional planning around transport, housing and employment to maximise climate change outcomes.

The Climate Change Commission for Wales’ Annual Report 2011 was written by the Climate Change Commission for Wales with the support of CAG Consultants Consortium, led by CAG Consultants working with Collingwood Environmental Planning Limited, URS Scott Wilson, Wavehill Consulting Limited, and Resources for Change.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the report see www.cynnalcymru.com  or email climate-change@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

To see the company’s profile click here or see below for the footage demonstrating its box build capabilities. CHH CoNeX\’s box build capability

Leanne Owen from Cwmaman, Aberdare joins the Cardiff office as a Client Manager and will be responsible for developing the client portfolio in Cardiff and leading the HSJ business development team for the company as a whole.

She will work alongside the Newport business development team which is led by at HSJ Accountants.  Leanne will be focussing on business development and helping to drive the company forward to build on their increasing growth and market presence.

As a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Leanne will be bringing her knowledge and experience of the issues faced by owner managed companies which she has built up over the past nine years to ensure both existing and new clients are able to benefit from HSJ’s extensive range of services including strategic tax planning and pro-active advice about real issues they will be facing.

Leanne joins HSJ Accountants from KTS Owens Thomas Limited, a firm based in Aberdare and Cardiff where she has built up a wealth of experience in a wide range of industries. 

She said: “My role over the past nine years has involved representing the interests of a wide ranging portfolio from small not for profit organisations to large corporations. I have learnt that each individual organisation is different and requires a clear understanding of their individual business needs and service requirements whatever these may be, from seamless compliance to more complex business strategy.

“I’m looking forward to using my experience to help clients find the most effective solution not just from an accounts perspective but also to ensure that they receive a well rounded and considered approach to all of their business and personal situations.”

Robyn Hughes, Director at HSJ Accountants said: “At HSJ Accountants we offer the widest range of business and tax expertise available and we pride ourselves on our proactive, personal approach.

“Leanne understands the value of this philosophy and we are delighted to be able to extend our services from our Cardiff office in this way. We welcome her to the team.”

HSJ Accountants currently provides business and financial services, auditing and strategic tax solutions for a range of clients from its offices in Newport and Cardiff. The company employs over 35 people.

CAPTION:

Client management and business development team strengthened: Leanne Owen will be responsible for developing the client portfolio in the Cardiff office and leading the HSJ business development team for the company as a whole.

CHH CoNeX, which provides cable assemblies, rack integration, box build, kitting and marshalling for a number of companies within the telecoms, industrial, transport and medical sectors, says year-on-year turnover has increased from £8.1m in August 2010 to £10.1m in 2011 on the back of a number of new contracts and growth within existing markets.

Tim Hughes, Managing Director, said: “Telecoms, Medical and Industrial have long been core markets for us and we have a 21 year track record of offering right first time quality and on time in full delivery both well in excess of 99%.

“The aerospace, defence and security sectors we are moving into, average circa 70% on time delivery, which gives us a distinct advantage over our competitors.

“By using our experience and expertise, we have also been able to increase the value-add of a number of new products and achieve substantial growth within existing markets.”

In recent months, CHH CoNeX also joined a select group of UK companies to be recognised with the prestigious 21^st Century Supply Chains (SC21) Silver award.

The Award is presented annually in recognition of companies that demonstrate exceptional levels of improvement in performance across business and manufacturing excellence and relationship management.

Mr Hughes said: “This recognition comes just 14 months after CHH CoNeX first became a signatory to the programme. We were able to achieve this in an aggressive timescale as we had many of the necessary disciplines already in place.

“We now hope to leverage this success for the benefit of not just our supply chain and customers, but other companies looking to drive innovation and business and operational excellence.”

CHH CoNeX istargeting sales growth to £21m by 2014, which represents a doubling of revenues within three years.

Although ambitious, Mr Hughes says that this is a statement of determination that underpins CHH CoNeX’s commitment to growth.

“We are currently looking at a number of growth options including acquiring a contract electronics manufacturing capability which will enable us to offer additional capabilities to new and existing customers.”

CHH CoNeX currently employs 141 people at its 85,000 square feet plant and aims to achieve ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001accreditation in 2012, thereby driving efficiency improvements further across the business.

GE Aviation Wales, which employs over 1,500 highly skilled people, currently works with over 90 customers globally including Emirates, Easyjet and KLM.  The company is currently one of the world’s largest aviation sites with a long and proven track record of excellence.

Adrian Button, Managing Director of GE Aviation Wales said:

“The Made in Wales Awards recognise the best businesses in the Manufacturing industry. As a leading company in Wales we are delighted to be associated with these awards which will undoubtedly showcase the finest manufacturers in Wales.

“The awards come at a significant time for the company as we celebrate 20 years of GE Aviation in Wales.  To win the overall Manufacturer of the Year Award is a great achievement for the company and a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our workforce.”

A total of seven other category winners were announced in a packed Mercure Holland House.

These include:

• Green Manufacturer Award – Cambrian Printers
• Manufacturing Innovation Award – Royal Mint
• Creative Design Award – Recycle Direct
• Technology Award – SPTS
• Food and Drink Award – Brace’s
• Medical and Life Sciences Award – Flexicare Medical
• Advanced Manufacturer Award – Linde Heavy Truck Division

Attracting 57 nominations from companies keen to prove that they have what it takes to be honoured with this prestigious accolade, The Made in Wales Awards have been created to celebrate the very best in manufacturing that Wales has to offer.

The event was hosted by James Naughtie from BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today Programme and featured a special keynote speech from Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales.

She said: “The Made in Wales Awards are an excellent way to recognise ambition and achievement in businesses across Wales. I am delighted to be invited to attend the awards ceremony today and to hear first-hand about the work of companies in Wales.

“The innovation recognised at the awards today is inspiring and I want to congratulate each and every winner; they are first class examples of how Wales can contribute to new technologies and private sector growth”

“SMEs in Wales have a critical role to play in supporting the economy in Wales and I am clear that the UK Government is here to provide support to help companies succeed.”

Marlen Roberts, Managing Director of Insider Media Limited which organised the Awards said: “Despite a general dip in business confidence, high levels of investment, innovation and ongoing research and development remain key features amongst the companies which entered the Made in Wales Awards. Manufacturing and technology are vitally important to our communities and the Welsh economy and this continuing commitment to deliver high-value added products and services should be recognised and celebrated. Well done to both the winners and the shortlisted companies.”

Companies shortlisted for the Made in Wales Awards were Celsa UK, Axiom Manufacturing Services, GE Aviation Wales, Flexicare Medical, K Form, Sanders, Industrial Automation & Control, We Predict, Qioptiq, Hot Diggidy Dog, Burns Pet Nutrition, Peter’s Foods, Q Chip, Microvisk, Magstim, Mabey Bridge and SPTS.

The Awards were sponsored by PwC, Barclays Corporate, WRAP Cymru, Zeffa, R&B Group, Paramount Recruitment and Abel & Imray.

On the positive side, these social and digital tools and channels have created a host of additional opportunities for companies to collaborate online, gather and share information and contribute to various topics of conversation. Similarly, companies and organisations have been given the perfect environment to re-evaluate and, most importantly, reinvigorate their overall approach to Public Relations.

Dubbed the tools and tactics of ‘new PR’, these offer unparalleled opportunities for communicating, influencing and keeping communities and stakeholders informed of your brand, business or organisation.

Whilst there is no denying the power of social and digital media, it is well worth remembering that unless these tools and techniques are used correctly and integrated as part of an overall Communications Strategy to facilitate and foster relationships, these can quickly become a challenge rather than a solution. 

The goal of new PR – much like traditional PR – is identifying, understanding and communicating with those communities or stakeholders that are affected by or have an effect on you or your organisation. The differentiator of this new approach however lies in engaging communities, customers, etc in conversations directly.

Moreover, new PR creates a far more active and respected environment for multi-way communication and conversations with peers and customers, whilst encouraging organisations to let go of some of the control around how messages are received and perceived.

The results of effective new PR – potential customers and stakeholders are able to internalise information quickly; share their interpretations of your key messages directly with you and use their own tools and channels to reach others within your key markets. It is well worth doing it well!

Joining them on the shortlist for the Export Award are SI, DCS and Pailton, whilst Denso, Synseal and Alumet make up the shortlist for the Green Manufacturer of the Year category.

Going head to head in the Manufacturing Innovation Award Category are Wade, Alumet and AGA, whilst Envisage, Morgan Motor Company and Malthouse Engineering will compete for the Technology Transfer Award.

The Insider Made in the Midlands Awards Dinner 2011 aims to celebrate products and solutions being created and manufactured in the Midlands. 

This new awards dinner will also help to raise the profile of those companies at the pinnacle of advances in manufacturing and innovation.

Marlen Roberts, Managing Director at Insider Media Limited, said: “Through these awards, we want to promote and celebrate the very best manufacturers in the Midlands and highlight those companies that are focused on continual improvement as they look to overcome today’s challenging times and achieve excellence in everything they do.” 

Hosted by Michael Portillo, Insider will also be presenting an award for Manufacturing Personality of the Year.

A group of senior business ‘ambassadors’ are supporting and judging the awards – including Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, founder and director of WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) and the keynote speaker at the ceremony, and Stewart Towe CBE, group managing director of Hadley Industries.

The evening will also offer manufacturers the opportunity to network and to gain valuable insight from talking to others in the same industry.

For further details on the Awards Dinner, please contact andrea.jenkins@newsco.com.

The new programme, which has been launched in association with the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF West Midlands), forms part of the company’s overall strategy of becoming an employer of choice within the West Midlands and follows the UK Government’s latest commitment to increasing the number of apprenticeships.

Tim Hughes, Managing Director explains: “At CHH CoNeX our People Plan outlines our commitment to investing in the ongoing development and skills of our people for the benefit of our business, our customers and local communities.

“CHH CoNeX’s apprenticeship programme gives us a wonderful opportunity to identify and invest in new, local talent and enables us to help develop the next generation of skilled workers who will play a key role in sustainable economic growth for both the manufacturing and wider technology industries here in the UK.”

Joining CHH CoNeX on the programme as electrical and mechanical apprentices are eighteen-year-old Ryan Douglas from Kingswinford near Dudley and seventeen-year-old James Magee from Castle Bromwich.

Commenting on his appointment, Ryan said: “My father started out as an apprentice, so I’ve learned a lot from him over the years about what it means to get hands-on experience whilst you’re studying for a qualification.

“This is a great opportunity to be part of a company like CHH CoNeX as it continues to grow and I would like to find myself in a managerial role within the manufacturing and production side of the business after a few years.”

James added: “After Sixth Form, I decided to look for a different development and training route rather than going straight to College. Due to the nature of the apprenticeship with CHH CoNeX, I can keep my options open within the areas of electrical or mechanical engineering whilst getting practical experience within a good company. I am looking forward to the challenge!”

Ryan and James will be mentored by Maintenance Engineer and former apprentice, Miles Scrivens.

He said: “There are many benefits to doing an apprenticeship. In addition to hands-on experience and knowledge-transfer, companies are also able to turn the passion, enthusiasm and often great ideas provided by apprentices into skills for the business and solutions for customers.”

Commenting of what characteristics he thinks is important for those keen to become an apprentice, Miles added: “A good attitude and strong work ethics are essential. If you approach this opportunity correctly and work at getting the most out of it, the sky really is the limit.”

Caption:

You’re hired: newly appointed CHH CoNeX apprentices James Macgee (left) and Ryan Douglas (right) pictured here with Miles Scrivens (centre).

Open to companies of all sizes across the East and West Midlands, Insider’s Made in the Midlands Awards Dinner will celebrate products and solutions being created and manufactured in the Midlands.  This new awards dinner also intends to raise the profile of those companies at the pinnacle of advances in manufacturing and innovation.

Marlen Roberts, Managing Director at Insider Media Limited, said: “At Insider we have always understood and believed in the importance of manufacturing, innovation and exporting from the Midlands.

“Through these awards, we want to promote and celebrate the very best manufacturers in the Midlands and highlight those companies that are focused on continual improvement as they look to overcome today’s challenging times and achieve excellence in everything they do. 

“In addition to the recognition, the event will also provide a huge opportunity for businesses in the Midlands to network with like-minded organisations, potential partners and customers.”

The Insider Made in the Midlands Awards Dinner includes six categories: Green Manufacturer of the Year, Innovation Award, Export Award, Technology Transfer Award, Manufacturing Personality of the Year and Manufacturing Company of the Year.

The award winners will be announced at the Made in the Midlands Awards Dinner, which takes place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventryon November 1st.

Entries close on September 23rd. For further details on how to enter, please contact andrea.jenkins@newsco.com.