Fife Business Matters Issue 24

ISSUE 24 • autumn 2013

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS: hear more success stories

FIFE BUSINESS MATTERS

www.fifebusinessmatters.co.uk

Are you looking for business property in Fife?

Fife Council provides a variety of business space throughout Fife and we currently have the following business properties for lease;

OFFICES

Unit No

Sqft

Sqm

Rent

Service Charge

RV

Pitreavie Business Park

Sqm

Rent

Rateable Value

Fife Food & Business Centre

Unit 1/2

12,267

1,140

£30,667

£31,200

Unit 3

6,409

595

£12,818

£19,200

593

55

£7,205

£2,609

£5,500

Unit 11

333

31

£3,712

£1,465

£3,100

Unit 13

811

75

£9,045

£3,568

£7,400

Unit 9

4,148

385

£10,500

£12,600

Unit 14

1,053

98

£11,741

£4,633

£8,400

2,168

201

£17,500

tbc

Unit 17A

108

10

£1,334

£475

£1,100

Unit 18 office

Unit 17B

106

10

£1,309

£466

£1,100

Unit 29

4,106

381

£17,500

£14,850

Unit 21 workshop

301

28

£2,559

£1,324

£3,000

Unit 7

300

28

£2,400

£2,000

Unit 23

1,001

93

£11,165

£4,404

£9,600

Unit 9

500

47

£3,400

£3,750

Office 3(FF)

2,745

255

£27,450

tbc

£28,100

Unit 16

500

47

£3,400

£3,750

Unit 19*

1,000

93

£8,000

£5,400

Suite 1

2,790

259

£20,750

tbc

20,300

AF4 Units 1/2

4,000

372

£16,000

£17,200

Suite 4

1,595

148

£11,862

tbc

11,100

Block 5 Unit 8

1,757

163

£6,700

£5,500

Unit 9

1,118

104

£6,750

£4,850

KIRKCALDY

KIRKCALDY Business Incubator

Sqft

Unit 5

Enterprise Centre

INVERKEITHING Forth House

Unit No

GLENROTHES

DUNFERMLINE Dunfermline Business Centre

INDUSTRIAL

Various Office Space Available between 169-342sqft.

This Business Space is for start up businesses only.

Please contact the Property Team on 0845 600 1359 for information.

Merchant Place LEVEN Banbeath Industrial Estate CUPAR Riverside Court

LEVEN Fife Renewable Innovation Centre

Various Office Space Available between 205 – 2,217sqft.

This Centre is aimed for the Renewable Industry market Please contact the Property Team on 0845 600 1359 for information

*Under Offer Misrepresentation Act: Dimensions, distances and floor areas are approximate and given for guidance purposes only. Potential tenants should satisfy themselves as to the validity of the figures given. These costs are correct at this date but subject to review.

If you are looking for business premises contact the Economic Development Team on 0845 600 1359 or E-mail Business.Property@fife.gov.uk

WELCOME

Contents

to Fife Business Matters

P4-5

Offshore Europe brings results for Fife

The strength of the region’s economy continues to create opportunities in Fife and key to its success is the collaboration between the public and private sector. In this edition we hear from Fife Council’s new chief executive, Steve Grimmond about the Council Plan 2017 and how by working together we can generate opportunities, create jobs and boost the local economy.

P6

Raytheon explores new markets

P8

Making time for strategic thinking

P10

Fife entrepreneur carves his way to business success

P11

Fife Export Survey reveals Fife’s export success

P13

Making Fife the best place to do business

P14

Fife Chamber welcomes Secretary of State for Scotland

P19

Business Gateway Fife takes new direction

P21

Fife businesses secure ESIF loans

P22

Fife recognises green businesses

P25

Young entrepreneurs step up to leadership

P26

Raising a toast to Fife’s drink manufacturers

P27

FSB drives keep trade local campaign

There are so many examples within this issue of Fife Business Matters of public and private sector organisations working in partnership. Whether it’s through access to grants to support research and development, generating new business leads through improved IT or by accessing the range of support services offered by Business Gateway Fife or the Supplier Development Programme, we are well on our way to making Fife the best place to do business.

I am also delighted to see Fife Business Week back for its fourth year. We have an ambitious and exciting programme of events lined up during November, offering businesses of all sizes an opportunity to develop their organisations through access to support, networking discussions and exposure to best practice across a wide range of disciplines.

As you will read in the coming pages, September brought together a strong delegation of oil and gas companies who gathered in Aberdeen for Offshore Europe.

The event proved fruitful and generated positive opportunities for the sector.

In Fife there are also a number of exciting new business developments. We met with the new managing director of Raytheon Glenrothes, Stephen Doran, to hear about its diversification into new markets including oil and gas. Finally, not forgetting the importance of business start-ups we showcase the skills of a number of young entrepreneurs including Frazer Reid, a local furniture maker who has launched unique one-to-one surfboard making workshops.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Fife Business Matters.

Chris Parr, Chairman, Fife Economy Partnership

P30-31 Events diary

Publisher: DTech Publishing Ltd Fife Business Matters is published by DTech Publishing Limited on behalf of the Fife Economy Partnership.

This publication is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed wholly or in part without the written permission of the publishers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers and not agents or sub-agents of those who advertise therein. The publishers cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication.

The views expressed by the authors or articles published in this magazine are solely those of the author and are not necessarily the views of or shared by the editor, nor the publisher or the directors, shareholders and/or employees of DTech Publishing Limited.

Fife Business Matters is published on behalf of the Fife Economy Partnership and is funded by Fife Council To send us your stories or request a copy email: editor@fifebusinessmatters.co.uk To advertise Telephone 01436 678808/671133 email: sales@dtechuk.com

3

Offshore Europe brings results for Fife Fife businesses received a positive response when they exhibited an exciting range of products and services at the biannual Offshore Europe (OE) exhibition, one of the biggest oil and gas exhibitions in Europe.

A Fife Council delegation of twelve local companies attended the Aberdeen event and had the opportunity to meet and chat with Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism when he visited the stand. The stand was organised

by Fife Council’s Market Development Programme to showcase Fife’s strong and successful history in oil and gas and its

Parsons Peebles at Offshore Europe

4

exceptional facilities including deep-water ports, over 440 ha of quay side facilities and land, a highly skilled workforce as well as a resilient infrastructure.

For first time exhibitors, BAE Systems Maritime Services, OE was an opportunity to showcase a range of its manufacturing and test services including PCB Assembly, Transducer design and manufacture through to full system builds.

Alan Colquhoun, Principal Engineer at BAE Systems Maritime Services, said: “As event newcomers, to have the support of Fife Council Economic Development with planning and organisation in the run up to the event – as well as being part of its stand at Offshore Europe – was important to us.

“Offshore Europe was extremely productive, generating a number of new business leads. Not only did we gain a greater understanding of the sub-sea market’s customer requirement and needs, but demonstrated our significant skills in producing high reliability and robust electronic systems that perform without fail in hostile environments.”

Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism and Pamela Stevenson, Lead Officer, Fife Council Economic Development visiting Ductform at Offshore Europe

Fife businesses have always received a positive response from OE. In 2011, they reported over 350 notes of interest and potential orders running into millions of pounds up until 2015.

Speaking to FBM after OE 2013, Iain Scrimger of BiFab, said: “Offshore Europe offered an encouraging platform to identify a unique combination of business and fabrication opportunities from key players within the oil and gas sector. Our attendance brought encouraging results, very much in line with our objectives, and we will now seek to convert this positive interest into new business contracts.”

BiFab has an order book in excess of £230 million which includes contracts for Premier Oil on the Solan Field Development and GDF Suez E&P UK’s Cygnus Field Development which recently included the award to BiFab of £50 million to build an accommodation platform, creating 100 jobs.

The theme for OE 2013 was ‘The Next 50 Years’ representing the continuing success story for the UK oil and gas industry both in terms of future production and a strong supply chain, of which Fife will contribute as the home to new, cutting edge technologies. For example, Raytheon will become the first company to achieve the application of silicon carbide in electronic systems for use at high temperatures. This breakthrough, due for launch next year, will enable deeper drilling to maximise oil production.

Established industry names including Burntisland Fabrications, Parsons Peebles Generation Ltd, Axon Cable Ltd, BAE Systems Maritime Services, Bridge Systems Ltd, Lamond & Murray Ltd, Static Scotland Ltd, Ductform Ventilation (UK) Ltd, Surface Heating Systems Ltd, Hydrosphere and Influx Innovative Services Limited participated on the Fife stand. A number of other Fife companies, including Raytheon, used the stand as a base to network and explore opportunities.

Pamela Stevenson of Fife Council’s Economic Development Team said: “The Market Development Programme’s ongoing commitment to supporting Fife businesses has once again proved that exhibitions are an effective way of raising a company’s profile, exploiting market opportunities and networking with clients while targeting new ones.

The results from Offshore Europe show the importance of these events to the development and growth of our local economy.”

To find out more about the Market Development Programme and how it can help your business, contact Alan McKay on 08451 55 55 55 (ext 492180) or email: alan.mckay@fife.gov.uk.

Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister of Energy, Enterprise & Tourism chats to John Robertson, MD of BiFab at Offshore Europe

5

Raytheon explores new markets

Raytheon UK is the first company to have successfully tested robust, high temperature (up to 400 degrees Celsius) driver circuits for power transistors using wafers of silicon carbide (SiC). This success, along with the launch of a new silicon carbide foundry facility in Glenrothes, is creating a number of new business opportunities for the high-technology engineering firm.

Raytheon has a heritage of sensing and control in demanding and safety critical applications and after almost seven years of research and development it is preparing for next year’s market launch of the application of silicon carbide in electronic systems.

A key target will be the oil and gas sector where high temperature sensors are desirable to drill deeper to maximise oil production.

Keen to hear more, FBM met with Raytheon UK’s new Glenrothes managing director, Stephen Doran, who joined the company in April from Wolfson Microelectronics where he was Chief Operating Officer. Stephen has brought his extensive product portfolio and product

development experience to support Raytheon’s diversification across a range of sectors, including oil and gas.

Stephen said: “This is an exciting time for Raytheon UK. As the first UK manufacturer of silicon carbide devices we’re in a strong position to take the material to new global markets enabling us to significantly grow the business.

“While the market launch of silicon carbide is scheduled for next year, we are working closely with target markets to understand their needs and ensure the technology will bring about significant benefits and efficiencies.

This will enable us to keep growing a great business that is expanding its horizons outside of its existing markets.”

Raytheon’s £3.5 million investment in the foundry has allowed it to reduce cycle times and development and qualification timescales which has encouraged orders, resulting in the recruitment of process and equipment engineering, design engineering and programme management staff.

Stephen said: “We have invested in recruiting highlyskilled individuals to work in the foundry supporting the application of silicon carbide and we’re also seeking business development experts to support the expansion and growth of our business.”

As the company seeks to enter new markets it attended Offshore Europe where it utilised Fife Council’s Market Development Programme stand as a base to explore opportunities.

Stephen said: “Offshore Europe provided a significant opportunity for us to showcase our worldleading technology to a key market sector and demonstrate how SiC can operate in deep hydrocarbon and geothermal drilling applications.”

Raytheon also intends to take its SiC technology to other business sectors where energy efficient power solutions are sought, including renewables, military, automotive and aviation.

Stephen Doran, Managing Director, Raytheon Glenrothes

6

Fife Business Week (FBW) is back for its fourth year from 11 to 15 November 2013.

The Fife Economy Partnership event – delivered by Fife Council Economic Development and supported by 15 organisations – is tailored to provide valuable support for businesses of all sizes through a programme of events, seminars and workshops including Developing a Social Media Strategy, How to Sell into New Markets and Getting the Most from Your People.

Liberty Business Centres was overwhelmed by demand for its event last year. Managing Director, Jerry Alexander said: “Our company ethos is to support and add value to micro sized businesses. We cannot think of a better way to do that than to hold events that Fife businesses really want to attend. The courses proved so popular we had to run additional days in order to deal with demand.”

FBW also offers an opportunity to showcase the many advantages Fife has to offer the business community as well as providing an accessible platform for public and private sector organisations to work together to embrace new ideas, seek new markets and develop skills.

Chris Parr, Chairman of the Fife Economy Partnership, said: “I am delighted to see Fife Business Week back for a fourth year. The ambitious programme of events coupled with the continued drive and determination of local businesses to collaborate, to share ideas and experiences will create a fantastic opportunity for businesses of all sizes.”

For a full list of FBW events, please visit: www.fifebusinessweek.co.uk

Liberty Business Centres was overwhelmed by demand for its event last year

news in brief

Fife Business Week 2013: helping businesses succeed

/ FIFE SOLICITOR RECOGNISED BY LAW SOCIETY

The Amazon project at Calais Muir was the first deal delivered by the joint venture agreement

Boost for joint venture in bid to unlock economic potential

An Employment Land Partnership between Fife Council and Scottish Enterprise to develop a number of infrastructure projects across Fife that will create new employment opportunities and deliver economic benefits is now well underway since its inception.

The first major project was delivered in 2011 and the parties are continuing to work closely in the marketing of the sites together with agent Ryden Property Consultants.

The partnership has received a number of enquiries relating to development opportunities at its four key strategic sites in Fife - Calais Muir South and Dover heights in Dunfermline, Westwood Park in Glenrothes and Nairn Street in Kirkcaldy.

Ronnie Hair, Property Investment and Development Manager at Fife Council said: “We have completed a land use strategy exercise and secured appropriate allocations as part of the last review of Local Plans.

We are now actively marketing the sites and interest has been received from a number of enquiries.

“We are encouraged by the interest and are looking to build on this and the success of the Amazon project as we actively seek to attract new investment in the region, maximise employment opportunities and economic benefits.”

The Amazon project, which was developed on 40 acres of land at Calais Muir was the first deal delivered by the joint venture agreement. The Amazon facility now employs approximately 950 full time staff. 128 acres of mixed use land remain across the four strategic sites principally for employment use but also including housing, retail and leisure facilities.

Under the agreement the Council has an equity financial share and will reinvest its share of proceeds held in the joint venture in the provision of infrastructure.

A solicitor at legal, financial and property firm, Pagan Osborne, has been recognised as a specialist in Private Client Tax Law by the Law Society of Scotland.

Fiona McDonald, a partner at the firm, is one of just six lawyers in Scotland to have achieved this level of accreditation, which recognises exceptional quality and technical expertise.

/ PLANS FOR LOW CARBON INVESTMENT PARK Fife Council has applied for planning permission in principle to develop a 15-hectare business hub in Buckhaven to support and build on the success of Fife Energy Park. The Low Carbon Investment Park will offer manufacturers and supply chain businesses the opportunity to colocate to and support works within the renewable energy sector.

/ HONOUR FOR JIM TRAIL Jim Trail, former managing director of Raytheon, Glenrothes was recognised for services to the defence industry in the Queen’s birthday honours list. Jim, who worked at the design engineering and manufacturing company for 41 years before retiring in May, was awarded an OBE.

/ THOMSON COOPER ASSOCIATE SCOOPS AWARD Elaine Cromwell, an associate at Dunfermline-based accountants Thomson Cooper, won the Training Manager of the Year award at the 2013 Scottish Accountancy Awards. She was recognised for her contribution to the firm’s business development programme and as a key provider of training within the business.

For more news in brief see P11

→ 7

Making time for strategic thinking The biggest constraint for many business owners is their time. Those who make time to think strategically tend to punch above their weight. We know this intuitively, but operational issues can easily get in the way.

“Strategy is the great work of an organisation. In situations of life and death, it is the Tao of survival or extinction. Its study cannot be neglected.”

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” – Sun Tzu “The Art of War”

5.

6.

7.

If you are guiding your business it is your job to isolate the right quantity and quality of strategic thinking time.

Here are 10 top tips to consider: 1. Split board meetings between strategy and operations. This could potentially be done as separate meetings or possibly by utilising smaller steering groups.

2. Schedule the dates for the entire year ahead and never cancel the meetings.

3. Use the One Page Plan as a framework. If you are discussing something that isn’t on the plan – either the plan is wrong, or you probably aren’t being strategic.

4. Get the administrative protocols right – agenda in advance, circulate papers a week in advance, start and finish

8

8.

9.

10.

on time, bullet point minutes of actions and follow up action progress between meetings.

Be aware of where the conversation is leading while keeping a balance between strategic and operational issues.

If there are some short-term, burning issues, factor them into the One Page Plan, but don’t get bogged down – decide how they should be tackled outside the meeting (e.g. project team) and move on.

Be conscious that you’re not spending too much time managing exceptions (i.e. actions not completed and excuses). This is a total waste of everyone’s time.

Ensure someone is responsible for keeping the meeting strategic.

Usually this will be the chairperson.

Make your planning process iterative. Don’t put all your effort into the annual away-day, but evolve the strategy as you go along.

Define the rules for each meeting – e.g. ego-less, listening, not interrupting, allowing everyone the opportunity to speak.

Do this well and everyone will get good value from their strategic time and be able to reduce the time they waste fighting fires.

Ian Donaldson CA Partner Carters Accountants LLP

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PTYBS APPOINTS NEW REGIONAL MANAGER

PTYBS appoints new regional manager, Marissa Yassen

The Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland (PTYBS) which supports young people aged 18 to 30 to start-up and continue in business has appointed a new regional manager for Fife, Marissa Yassen.

Speaking about her appointment Marissa said: “Through a genuine passion for business, I hope to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs in Fife. There are great numbers of young people with amazing ideas, imagination and vision and I want to be able to empower them with the tools they need to truly make dreams come true.”

Marissa recently worked on a Scottish Executive project helping ethnic minorities increase their employment and business start-up opportunities before which she spent 10 years running a car and motorcycle training school in Kirkcaldy.

PTYBS works closely with Business Gateway Fife to support business start-ups in the region. To find out more about PTYBS visit: www.princes-trust.org.uk or email: marissa.yassen@princes-trust.org.uk.

10

Fife entrepreneur carves his way to business success A furniture maker from Crail has launched unique one-to-one surfboard making workshops.

The idea arose after Frazer Reid (22) received enquiries from surfers looking to combine their love of surfing with his passion for wood work. The three-day workshop sees surfers use traditional boat building and furniture making techniques to turn a plank of Scottish cedar wood into their own board, which will last up to 10 years.

As well as offering the workshops, Frazer’s business, FAR cabinetmakers, which he launched earlier this year with help from The Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland (PTYBS) and Business Gateway Fife also produces furniture and restores antiques and skateboards.

Frazer said: “I’m a keen surfer and I stumbled across an image of a wooden surfboard and decided to make my own. It took me four days to make my first board and the enjoyment I got out of riding it was phenomenal. I then started getting enquiries from people wanting to make their own. That interest, plus a desire to give others the opportunity to make something they will be really proud of and use, gave me the idea of the workshops.”

Frazer completed a nine-month course at Chippendale International Furniture School before returning home to set up his business. However, he needed to secure finance to rent space and buy equipment.

Frazer said: “Without Fife Council Economic Development’s Create in Fife grant, which Business Gateway helped me apply for, or the loan from PTYBS, I would not have been able to set up so quickly.

Both organisations also provided me with a good understanding of how to run my business and I intend to go to a number of Business Gateway’s free courses to keep my knowledge up to date.” www.farcabinetmakers.co.uk

Frazer Reid of FAR Cabinetmakers with one of his wooden surfboards

Exports from Fife were worth just over £2,000 million in 2012, according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the Fife Economy Partnership.

The survey of 231 businesses, conducted in May and June 2013, found that the value of sales from Fife to the rest of the UK was £774 million in 2012. The value of exports to the EU was £714 million and exports outwith the EU accounted for £517 million of business.

The three most valuable markets for Fife exporters are the rest of the United Kingdom, then the United States, then Germany. The other key markets for Fife companies in the EU are France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Sweden. After the US, the most important markets for Fife exporters outside the EU are Canada and Australia.

Unsurprisingly, the economic crisis in the UK, EU and other markets was cited as the key challenge facing both exporters and non-exporters and fluctuations in Sterling was an important consideration for Fife’s exporters.

The survey showed that Fife companies could boost their export sales, given the right support and assistance. 38% of companies said assistance finding sales leads was the most useful support that would help them expand their export sales. 27% of businesses said they were looking for market information or market research and 25%

news in brief

Fife export survey reveals Fife’s export success

said they would be encouraged to expand if there was help finding intermediaries such as agents and distributors.

26% of companies said they would be encouraged to expand their export sales with support to attend exhibitions and or trade missions.

Chris Parr, Chairman of Fife Economy Partnership, said: “Exports are vital for the growth of our local economy. To have achieved exports estimated to be over £2,000 million in 2012 is incredibly positive and reflective of the range of world-class companies and services we have in Fife.

“The drive and determination of the region’s business leaders combined with the provision of additional support will open up opportunities to access new markets and endless export opportunities for Fife.”

The Fife Export Survey was carried out on behalf of the Fife Economy Partnership to identify challenges and opportunities to support local companies exporting abroad. Through Fife Council’s local economic development services, it continues to review services and the successful Market Development Programme, which supports trade show participation, continues to thrive and expand into new market opportunities.Working in partnership with Scottish Development International, it is developing new workshops and advisory clinics through Business Gateway Fife, to help Fife businesses with export potential.

/ £5 MILLION INVESTED TO SUPPORT YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT Fife Council has allocated £5 million to deliver up to 600 apprentices over the next three years. The project will be delivered by the Fife Youth Job Contract with the aim of supporting young people to get the training and skills needed to get into work.

To date, 168 apprentices have been signed up by local companies through the scheme which is being delivered in partnership with Opportunities Fife.

/ CARE HOME SCOOPS NATIONAL AWARD Positive Options Homecare Ltd. which operates two care homes in Fife beat off stiff competition from over 200 companies to win the Care at Home Services Company Team of the Year award at the Scottish Care - Care at Home and Housing Support Awards 2013.

/ KINGDOM HOUSING ASSOCIATION GETS JOBSEEKER CASH BOOST Kingdom Housing Association has secured £250,000 from the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund to help young unemployed people into the workplace. As part of the Opportunities Fife Employer Programme, Kingdom Housing Association and Fife Council will continue to support the development of employability skills amongst the region’s young people.

/ STEPHENS CROWNED TOP BAKER Dunfermline bakery, Stephens, has been crowned Scottish Baker of the Year 2013. Now in its 140th year, the company has 165 staff, 14 shops and 59 franchise stores, and a new sales director. Ewen Chisholm joined the firm in June and will be responsible for all sales channels within the company.

→

For more news in brief see P20

11

Levenmouth to be rebranded as the energy coast John Parker, Chair of Fife Tourism Partnership

JOHN PARKER’S TOP TIPS AS winter approaches and many tourism businesses experience a traditionally quieter period, it is important to use this time wisely and build product awareness ready for 2014.

John Parker, Chair of Fife Tourism Partnership, offers his top tips to tourism businesses on the considerations they should be making:

Levenmouth Local Tourism Association has appointed a new chairperson in a fresh bid to enhance the area’s tourism offering.

Carole Fitzgerald, previously hub manager of a lottery funded social enterprise in West Wemyss, took her position in August and has set about positioning the area as the ‘Energy Coast’.

Carole said: “Levenmouth has a proud industrial past with Methil once the greatest coal exporting port in Scotland. Today, the region is a hub to Fife’s burgeoning renewables industry. This shift from old energy to new forms of energy – renewables and creative industries - is what will shape the future of Levenmouth.”

Levenmouth Local Tourism Association is working to develop an ‘Energy Coast’ marketing plan and will launch a new brochure and website next year.

Carole continued: “The ‘Energy Coast’ has much to offer visitors. From its stunning coastlines and wildlife, range of museums, historical monuments to its industrial past as well as 12

leisure facilities where families can burn off energy, this is an ideal destination to visit and experience the area’s proud heritage.

“We aim through close collaboration between the private and public sector to exploit and capture the full potential of the area for economic benefit and the starting point will be The Energy Coast Trail.”

Councillor Lesley Laird, executive member for Business, Enterprise, Economy & Planning said: “I’m delighted to hear of Carole’s appointment and look forward to working with her in her role with the Levenmouth Local Tourism Association.

“Local Tourism Associations (LTA) play an integral role supporting the work of the Fife Tourism Partnership and the Fife Tourism Strategy. I’m sure Carole will further enhance the vital role that the Levenmouth LTA plays by utilising her strong background in tourism and the Energy Coast initiative to place Levenmouth in a strong position to attract visitors for its industrial heritage of the past and the new future energy too.”

1. Collaborate and integrate with other tourism businesses and events to create packages and mutual offers that are attractive to visitors.

2. Be innovative. What may have worked well this year could perhaps still be improved.

3. Work effectively and take time to consider your cost structures and cost controls. It will pay off.

4. Take time to consider any PR opportunities that could work to increase the visibility of your business.

5. Think about what resources you could use better to share information.

Social media and strong online presence will share your messages with a wider audience.

Making Fife the best place to do business The Council Plan 2017 signals a new phase of action for Fife Council. In the face of fiscal challenges and increasing demands it aims to save £100 million over the next four years, which is an ambitious commitment, but one the Council believes can be achieved by delivering on five areas of which growing a vibrant economy is at the core.

Fife Business Matters chatted to Fife Council’s new Chief Executive, Steve Grimmond to discuss the role the business community can play in supporting the Plan.

Steve Grimmond said: “Our overarching vision is the range of action that can be taken by the public and private sectors working together to strengthen the economy. The business community holds the key to drive a vibrant region and with the Council’s support to continuously deliver training opportunities, invest in new businesses and economic sectors that have long term sustainability for example, energy (including renewables) and tourism sectors - we can bring jobs to Fife and boost the economy.”

Around 3,600 jobs are dependent on the energy and renewables sector in the region and Fife Council is looking to grow that further, having set the benchmark to secure 1550 green jobs by 2017. It anticipates increasing tourism expenditure in Fife by 20 per cent, an additional expenditure of £55 million.

Steve continued: “Fife Council invests around £1 billion in Fife each year providing services and investing in infrastructure, with significant investment targeted at supporting our economic objectives.

“For example, we have invested £24 million in Fife Energy Park and a further £8 million is targeted at improving the region’s town centres.”

Mr Grimmond added: “New businesses also play an important role in driving the economy. We’re looking to increase business

start-ups by improving the support services available across Fife. Entrepreneurship and Employability Support in schools and colleges will be encouraged further through our established and successful Culture of Enterprise Framework.

“We know delivering the Plan won’t be easy. But by working together to drive growth through innovative thinking and by strengthening existing approaches we can realise our ambitions of making Fife the best place to do business.”

Introducing Fife Council’s new chief executive STEVE Grimmond took over the role of Chief Executive of Fife Council on 1 July 2013. He joined Fife Council in 2005 as Head of Community Services and more recently held the position of Executive Director for Environment, Enterprise and Communities.

Mr Grimmond has also worked for Aberdeenshire and Dundee Councils and is a member of the board of Creative Scotland.

Steve Grimmond, Chief Executive of Fife Council

13

Chamber supports Fife exporters

The Secretary of State for Scotland addressed Fife Chamber members about a range of topics tied to the Scottish independence debate

Fife Chamber welcomes Secretary of State for Scotland Scottish businesses will be better, safer and stronger if Scotland chooses to remain in the United Kingdom. That was the message delivered to Fife’s key business sectors by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore MP, when he spoke to a packed meeting of Fife Chamber members.

Mr Moore pictured with Fife Chamber president John Kilgour

14

Mr Moore praised the efforts of Fife businesses in Scottish economic stabilisation and growth while also congratulating the region on its continuing ability to attract global investment before putting forward the business case for remaining part of the UK. Key topics covered included the questions surrounding a Scottish currency, membership of European groups, oil revenues and the oil and gas industry.

Following Mr Moore’s speech, Fife Chamber chief executive Andrew Thomson chaired a question and answer session where members were able to raise key concerns relating to Fife’s economic future.

Andrew Thomson said: “Having Mr Moore in Fife to talk to our members about the coalition’s plans for boosting the UK economy was greatly received. He addressed and discussed many national concerns surrounding the upcoming referendum and through an engaging Q&A session our members were able to raise specific concerns relating to Fife and Scotland as a whole. The independence debate is of extreme importance to all businesses in Scotland, not just Fife, and so it is essential that we as business leaders are able to provide informed discussion and debate for our members.”

Fife Chamber continues to support Fife exporters through the provision of online export documentation services from its Kirkcaldy office using www.e-zcert.com.

The service is part of the British Chambers of Commerce authorisation scheme regulated by the UK Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and one that Fife Chamber has provided electronically for over ten years, building up a reputation for efficient friendly service.

Chief Executive Andrew Thomson said: “The recent Fife Export Survey which we conducted on behalf of the Fife Economy Partnership, identified the need for Fife businesses to make the most of the potential to trade outwith a Scottish market place and our services are geared up to support that.”

Fife Chamber also operates international trading training courses on a range of subjects including Incoterms, Import Procedures and Letters of Credit.

To find out more please visit www. fifechamber.co.uk or call 01592 647740.

To read more about Fife’s export success please visit page 11.

Acquisition for Borland Insurance Group Fife Chamber Premier Partner, The Borland Group, which incorporates Borland Insurance Ltd and Borland Financial Management Ltd, has announced plans to open a Kirkcaldy office.

The firm, which has existing operations in Aberdeen and Dunfermline, will invest in Fife following its acquisition of McHardy & Burnett for a six figure sum.

Samsung project on track

The arrival in Fife of the world’s longest wind turbine blades, each measuring 83 metres long, was a significant milestone for Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in its bid to develop a prototype 7MW offshore wind turbine.

Preparations are underway for the installation of the turbine. A construction compound and crane pad have been constructed while Scottish Enterprise has upgraded the electrical infrastructure.

Seabed preparatory works are also underway in anticipation of the foundation and jacket structure being constructed.

Following a recent visit to the site Councillor Laird said: “Samsung has made a huge investment in Methil and Levenmouth, putting the area firmly on the map as a leading player in the renewables sector. I am extremely impressed with the project underway at the Energy Park.”

A spokesperson for SHI said:

Score Europe launches in Glenrothes

Score unveils new business premises in Glenrothes

SCORE Europe has officially opened its global distribution and logistics hub in Southfield, Glenrothes which will store, test and distribute valves to the oil and gas sector worldwide.

The 4000m² facility, which was purchased in March with the help of Invest In Fife, builds on the company’s presence in Fife where it has had specialised testing facilities in Cowdenbeath since 1984.

The world’s longest turbine blades arriving in Fife

“We are delighted to be in Scotland at the Energy Park Fife at an exciting time for the offshore wind energy industry and appreciate the full support and commitment we have had from Fife Council.”

Invest in Fife played an integral role in attracting and securing the world’s largest ever offshore wind turbine to Fife. If the project is viable Samsung could create 500 jobs and bring approximately £100 million in inward investment.

Markinch CHP plant on track as trials take place RWE npower renewables’ Markinch Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant on the site of the Tullis Russell paper mill has undertaken testing as part of the ‘cold commissioning’ process. Seven hundred tons of virgin wood has been fed into the fuel handling system as part of the trial ahead of the commissioning of the boiler on solid fuel and achieving full operation later this year.

Andy Smith, project manager of RWE npower renewables, commented: “For the first time, wood will be taken into the silos and through the system for testing purposes. More than a million man hours have been invested in the construction so far and it is satisfying for all concerned to see the early stages of sustainable power generation.”

The site has received a further boost with the granting of Section 36 approval by the Scottish Government which allows it to produce up to 65MW.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2011/2012 Invest in Fife secured 970 jobs and investment of £129.6 million.

14 new local employees have joined Score and the first batch of valves have been distributed.

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East of Scotland Investment Fund

Investing in Business

Are you looking for Business Finance?

If you’re a Fife start up with growth plans or established business with a commercially viable proposal, we could help provide the finance to meet your needs.

We offer Loans of up to £50,000

• Security may be required • Fixed interest rates at 6% • The loan may not account for more than 50% of the funding package

Loans can be used for:

• The purchase of plant and equipment • Provision of working capital • Purchase, expansion or refurbishment of commercial property • Purchase of a business

Who can apply?

• All types of businesses – sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and co-operatives

All types of enquiries are welcome Call Business Gateway Fife on 01592 858333 or visit www.eastscotinvest.co.uk for more information.

EURO PRECISION SECURES £50,000 FROM ESIF Glenrothes based engineering company Euro Precision Ltd has used the East of Scotland Investment Fund to secure a £50,000 loan to develop their thriving business.

The company, widely recognised as a market leader in the sub-contract industry, is a specialist manufacturer of small precision components in low to medium batch sizes for the Aerospace, Defence, Oil and Gas, Renewable, Medical and Motorsport sectors.

With up to 5 years repayment period and fixed interest rates of 6%, the East of Scotland Investment Fund was the perfect solution for Euro Precision.

Managing Managing Director, Director, Liam Liam Torrance, Torrance, commented commented:“ESIF “ESIF is a a superb superb fund fund for for growing growing businesses businesses and and has has been been is a real real boost boost to to help help us us realise realise our our long long term term plans plans for for a the future” future.” the

Sean Brown Plumbing and Heating Ltd is an established small company based in the Fife area where the personal Heating Installations touch is the main focus on the work Renewable Energy we carry out. We cover all parts Bathroom Installations of Fife, the Lothians, Tayside and Plumbing Services Central Scotland, and if required by our customers we will travel further to ensure our customers receive the highest standard of work.

20 Sauchenbush Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY2 5RL Mobile: 07739 15 15 05 • Phone: 01592 263 544 www.seanbrownplumbingandheating.co.uk

NG I N E OP OON S

Exciting new prestige business centre facility adjacent to the train station and in the heart of Dunfermline opening 2013.

Comely Park Business Centre offers:

Virtual Office • Video Conferencing Meeting Rooms • Serviced Offices Hot Desk • IT Services • Telecom The serviced offices range from 2 Desk to 6 Desk as well as a 3 Roomed Suite of offices at Comely Park Kirkgate Annexe, five minutes from the main office.

Comely Park Business Centre • 16 Comely Park • Dunfermline • Fife KY12 7HU Tel: 01383 629899 • Fax: 01383 629898 • Email: info@comelypark.com

A Unique Venue For Your Business Event Set amid the rolling hills of Fife, Pitcairlie House is an ideal location for all kinds of corporate and business hospitality and events, including select private dinner parties (with a theme or entertainment if required), seminars, lectures or “away days”.

Our country retreat setting offers an exclusive location for a board or management meeting.

Benfits include: • A warm and friendly welcome.

• Attention is paid to detail to ensure success.

• Confidentiality in all matters.

• Custom tailored package to cater for all your requirements.

• Use of wireless Internet.

• Ability to walk around our 120 acre estate on maintained pathways.

“Away Days” include: • Leadership.

• The way forward.

• Team building.

telephone 01337 827418 • mobile 07831 646157

www.pitcairlie-leisure.co.uk

Business Gateway Fife takes new direction Business Gateway Fife is on the move

Business Gateway Fife is on the move Business Gateway Fife is moving to a new first floor office in Saltire House within Pentland Park. The new office, which is more cost effective and includes a training facility enabling Business Gateway Fife to run its own workshop programme, will be operational by the end of September.

Scottish Enterprise, The Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland and Skills

Development Scotland have also moved to Saltire House enabling close collaboration to support businesses in Fife.

Business Gateway Fife’s new address is: Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes, Fife, KY6 2AL. To contact the team, please call: 01592 858333 or email: info@bgfife.co.uk.

Business Gateway supports start-up stall Four start-up companies are being given the opportunity to trade at the Fife Farmers Market thanks to a new initiative devised by Fife Council Economic Development.

A partnership has been created with the Fife Farmers Market to provide a Business Gateway stall for start-up companies to use over the next year.

Councillor Lesley Laird, who was instrumental in putting the sponsorship deal together, said: “The Fife Farmers markets draw thousands of people each month into the respective towns and I am delighted they were so receptive to the idea of working in partnership to give Fife businesses a fantastic opportunity.”

To find out more visit: www.businessgatewayfife.com or call 01592 858333.

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Business Gateway Fife is getting Fife businesses growing with a proactive strategy which aims to inspire future entrepreneurs, support new businesses and re-energise existing businesses.

The move follows a number of personnel changes which has seen Councillor Lesley Laird appointed to the Board of Directors and a new Operations Director to head up the organisation.

Councillor Lesley Laird’s expertise on the Board will ensure the organisation has the important political support it requires as well as advising on the future strategy.

Councillor Laird commented: “I am delighted to have joined Business Gateway Fife’s Board and am enjoying my role in encouraging those individuals who are looking to start out on the exciting road of business. Business Gateway’s invaluable work with existing SMEs at the very core of our economy has never been more important as we look to develop jobs and wealth for the people of Fife.”

Working on behalf of Fife Council, Operations Director, Douglas McLoughlan, has already made a major impact on the organisation. Several new business advisers have joined the team, the organisation has moved premises and Douglas is also developing relationships with key influencers and is looking at new funding and support services.

Douglas explained: “My number one role is to return the focus of Business Gateway Fife back to what it does best – providing a first class support and advice service to entrepreneurs at all stages in business from start-ups to mature companies.

“We are proactively looking for businesses to support. We are re-engaging with the key business influencers in the area to try to support their clients and are looking at new and innovative ways to deliver our service.”

Councillor meets with local businesses Councillor Lesley Laird, newly appointed Director of Business Gateway Fife, has been out meeting Fife business owners to hear first-hand about the opportunities and challenges facing local small businesses. Her first stop was Growforth Ltd, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of wholesale plants.

The Hillend based company is a long standing client of Business Gateway Fife and has continued to grow since it was established in 1990 by Managing Director, Stan Green. It now employs 13 and while it is enjoying growth with help from a £5000 grant from the Fife Investment Fund to assist with the development of a new online ordering and electronic communications system, it has been affected by pressures from the turbulent economy and also the unpredictability of the weather.

Councillor Laird said: “It was a real pleasure to meet Stan and his team and listen to the passion they have for their business and clients. Growforth’s feedback on Business Gateway Fife’s support with its ongoing development of the business was fantastic and shows the importance of external support.

“In addition, the purpose of my visits to companies like Growforth and Contract Solutions (Scotland) Ltd (CSS) is to understand the current challenges facing them and to seek new opportunities to work with Fife Council and Business Gateway Fife to support further growth.”

CSS is a specialist precision engineering company which has grown rapidly since it was formed in 2010 and has established itself as a key supplier to the telecoms, defence, space and automotive markets with its range of services

Councillor Laird met with Robert Duncan of Contract Solutions (Scotland) Ltd.

Councillor Lesley Laird met with Stan Green, owner of Growforth Ltd and was joined by Pamela Stevenson of Fife Council, David Howie, Business Adviser from Business Gateway Fife and Douglas McLoughlan, Business Gateway Fife’s Operations Director.

including prototyping and machining of high quality components.

Business Gateway Fife has been working with CSS, a family owned company based in

Cupar, for a number of years providing support and guidance as well as assisting with four Fife Investment Fund grants and its Regional Selective Assistance funding application to extend the factory and invest in two 5 axis CNC machines.

CSS’s Managing Director, Robert Duncan, said: “The support we have received from Business Gateway Fife has been first class over the years, and it has always been on hand to act as a sounding board, point us in the right direction and advise on the best course of action.

“We have continued to invest in our operations and now have a broad range of services. This allows us to target a number of sectors and helped us to continue to grow over the years.”

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news in brief

/ £8M BOOST FOR SKENE GROUP Skene Group has received a massive boost having secured £8 million of new business contracts which will create 20 new jobs. The Glenrothes based construction and civil engineering firm won work from across Scotland including the civil engineering for the substructure of the new Glenwood Health Centre in Glenrothes as well as two biomass projects in Perth & Kinross and Tayside.

/ NEW ROLES AT YOUNG & PARTNERS Young & Partners has appointed a new managing partner and created two new roles, senior partner and business development director. Ruth Waters will become the firm’s managing partner while her predecessor, Tom Johnston, steps into the senior partner role to support strategic development.

Joanna Goddard joins the firm as business development director.

/ TRIPADVISOR AWARD FOR ANSTRUTHER CHIPPY Anstruther’s Wee Chippy and Bakehouse Restaurant is celebrating after receiving a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013. The award is based on TripAdvisor reviews.

/ SGM EXPANDS FIFE OPERATIONS SGM Contracts has doubled the size of its Inverkeithing headquarters. The groundcare and garden machinery firm has leased a 7,150 sq ft industrial unit adjacent to its current premises - a 5,818 sq ft end terrace unit in Belleknowes Industrial Estate. The new unit will offer a showroom and a customer training centre.

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Alan Stewart of RePaint which collects 6 tons of unwanted reusable paint each month.

Recycling Fife’s paint Fife based social enterprise and charity, Castle Furniture Project is turning unwanted water based paint into new paint for reuse.

Castle Furniture’s RePaint initiative provides an innovative and strategic approach to recycling paint with the aim of helping local communities and individuals by supplying low cost paint as well as offering training and volunteer opportunities for people who find it hard to get into work.

Close links with public sector organisations and local authorities, including Fife Council, which piloted a successful paint collection trial in the region, have seen the project develop.

Alan Stewart, RePaint’s Operations Manager, said: “Each month we collect a minimum of six tons of reusable water based paint from across Scotland which includes around one ton from Glenrothes. It is our ambition to

increasingly reduce paint waste and recycle it for the benefit of the environment and local communities.”

RePaint has received Expert Help from Business Gateway Fife to support its growth and has joined Fife Council’s Supplier Development Programme which enabled Alan to attend a recent Meet the Buyer event. Alan used the opportunity to strengthen relationships with public and private sector organisations and as a result is now supplying Glen Housing Association and Ore Valley Housing Association.

Pamela Stevenson of Fife Council said: “The Economic Development Team proactively engages with local businesses to support their supplier development opportunities and the outcome of our Meet the Buyer event for RePaint and other organisations is testament of its success.” www.repaintscotland.com

ESIF lends £375,000 to Fife Businesses

Seven companies from across Fife are set for growth having received £375,000 in financial support from the East of Scotland Investment Fund (ESIF).

Euro Precision a manufacturer of small precision components has utilised its £50,000 ESIF loan to support the development of a mini hydraulic pump for the oil and gas sector. With orders already in the pipeline from around the world for this unique pump, it is an exciting time for the company which was set-up four years ago.

Euro Precision’s managing director Liam Torrance said: “The ESIF funding has supported the development of two new products and the creation of three jobs. The initial response to our newly developed mini hydraulic pump has been overwhelmingly positive with orders coming in from as far away as Houston, and forms the foundation for further innovation and growth.”

Douglas McLoughlan, operations director at Business Gateway Fife, said: “Accessing affordable finance to encourage good, commercially viable proposals remains a challenge for some SMEs. It is therefore encouraging that more and more Fife companies are applying for and using ESIF support to enable

development and growth. Euro Precision is an example of how accessing affordable new finance can support long-term business plans and in turn strengthen the local economy in terms of jobs, growth and wealth.”

ESIF, which is a local authority investment fund led by Fife Council and administered on its behalf by Business Gateway Fife, has also helped eCom, AE Struthers, Appin Nursery, Taylor Made Interiors, Eclipse (IP) Holdings and AG Brown Fabrication. Loans of up to £50,000 with interest rates currently fixed at 6% and a maximum repayment term of five years are available and can be used towards working capital or the purchase of equipment, plant or business property.

For eCom, its ESIF loan supported the purchase of new business premises and office renovation works as well as enabling on-going recruitment. The Dunfermline based company has in recent months taken on five new employees and plans to recruit an additional three members of staff this year as the current economic climate continues to produce a vast amount of eLearning related work.

Wendy Edie, managing director of eCom, said: “The financial assistance from ESIF provided the comfort to secure new premises. Without it, we would have faced much larger costs in moving office and having done that before we knew too well the affects this can have on a business.”

For more information, please visit: www.eastscotinvest.co.uk

Hillend and Donibristle regeneration The regeneration plans for Hillend and Donibristle Industrial Estate are progressing with the final consultant’s report presented to the Council in August. Local members have been briefed and are supporting the plans with the hope that a steering group can be set up quickly with local businesses to guide implementation of the action plan.

As an important employment and economic hub which accommodates over 120 businesses and over 2000 employees, plans include improvements, redevelopment and management of Hillend and Donibristle Industrial Estate which in recent years has been showing its age.

Local company AB Prattis & Sons is supportive of the improvements. Its managing director Casey Prattis said: “We welcome the regeneration action plan. Hillend and Donibristle Industrial Estate is an up and coming area for up and coming companies.”

Councillor Lesley Laird, executive member for Business, Enterprise, Economy & Planning said: “The project has highlighted the need for coordinated action from both the council and businesses to improve the environment with new signage, branding and landscape improvements as well as possible solutions for on-going estate maintenance and options for the redevelopment of those areas affected by dereliction and lack of investment.

“The focus of the project is to protect employment within the estate by providing a masterplan which, with co-ordinated delivery can secure its future for another generation.”

The Council has consulted on the plans with the business community, land and property owners, developers, local and community councillors and council officers throughout the project.

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news in brief

/ FASTER BROADBAND FOR FIFE’S BUSINESSES Fife businesses are set to benefit from faster broadband following an investment of £2.8 million from Fife Council. The faster broadband and improved coverage – expected to take coverage in Fife to over 98%, making the region one of the best covered areas in the UK – will improve efficiencies in the business community and help them to compete in global markets.

/ DRIVING DOWN ENERGY COSTS Fife Council has been surveying local businesses in a bid to tackle rising fuel costs and drive down carbon emissions. The survey results will help the Council work out if it’s feasible to develop a series of district heating networks in the region. The networks give the potential to purchase energy at competitive costs so can save businesses money, reduce their environmental impact and help generate income too.

/ FRIC NOMINATED FOR OFFICE AWARD The Fife Renewables Innovation Centre has scooped a British Council for Offices (BCO) Regional Innovation Award. The Centre will go on to compete for a ‘best of the best’ national award on October 1st.

/ DUNFERMLINE FIRM NOMINATED AS BRITAIN’S BEST TRAVEL COMPANY Canvas Holidays, the Dunfermline based family camping specialist, has been shortlisted as the Best Family Holiday Company in the 2013 British Travel Awards. The company, which was one of the first UK tour operators to offer package camping and mobile home holidays almost 50 years ago, has sites throughout Europe including Spain and the South of France.

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For more news in brief see P27

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Driving change – Fife recognises green businesses Green Business Fife is basking in the success of its Driving Change: The role for Business in the Low Carbon Economy conference and exhibition held at the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre.

The event brought together high-profile business speakers, delegates and companies to develop understanding and knowledge of low carbon technologies and the move towards a low carbon economy.

The conference concluded with a dinner and awards ceremony which recognised outstanding green organisations in Fife.

The Housing Innovation Showcase, a joint project by Kingdom Housing Association and Fife Council, picked up the Energy Award. The £3.3 million project of 27 affordable homes was recognised for its innovative approach to low carbon methods of construction.

Bill Banks of Kingdom Housing Association is presented with the energy award at the Green Business Fife Awards

West Fife enterprise continues its good work West Fife Enterprise has a proven track record helping unemployed people in Fife find, sustain and progress in the jobs they want.

Funded by a range of partners including Fife Council, the organisation’s Quest for Employment project has been acknowledged by the Scottish Parliament as an employability model of excellence, a significant accolade.

Coupled with a certificate of achievement from the Scottish Government, West Fife Enterprise validates the importance of locally based approaches to help those furthest from work make a successful transition into the labour market.

For Jordan Mathieson the career advice and vocational training he received from West Fife Enterprise has transformed his life. Aged 17 and unemployed, Jordan by his own admission lacked direction. Having been accepted to the

Noble Foods are presented with the waste category award at the Green Business Fife Awards

Bill Banks, depute chief executive of Kingdom Housing Association said: “We are delighted to win this award which is testament of the hard work undertaken to showcase how alternative construction systems and new technologies could be mainstreamed into future projects.”

Noble Foods was the night’s other big winner, scooping the Waste Award. The Kirkcaldy-based company was recognised for its commitment to waste and energy resource efficiency in which it has achieved zero waste to landfill.

Christine Graham, quality manager at Noble Foods said: “We’ve put a lot of work into improving environmental performance across the site so we’re pleased to have been recognised in this way. We’re not resting on our laurels and are already considering additional ways of improving energy and waste efficiency on site with the installation of a wind turbine and low-flush toilet systems later in the year.”

programme it wasn’t long before he had a work placement with Glenrothes YMCA and just six weeks later, he applied for an apprentice youth worker position and was successful. He is also attending Carnegie College for his HNC in Youth and Community Education.

Jordan said: “I now have a job that I love and when you love your job it’s not like working. I also have a career to look forward to as I will be able to progress and upgrade my qualifications as I get older.”

Jordan Mathieson received career advice and vocational training from West Fife Enterprise which transformed his life

East Neuk estate creates business hub

MEETING BUSINESS NEEDS FIFE continues to prove a popular location for businesses seeking quality premises but without the prohibitive city centre site costs. Its central location and its range of brownfield and industrial sites are ideal for a variety of business uses.

Balcaskie Estate in the East Neuk of Fife is showing entrepreneurism by converting five traditional farm steadings into a business hub, creating 24 full-time jobs.

The conversion of these buildings into small manufacturing production units has attracted an eclectic mix of businesses – 12 to date and a further six in the pipeline – reflecting the area’s spread of skills.

For Sara and Stephen Boardman of Insole PRO, a long search lead them to Balcaskie Estate. The couple, who specialise in the design and manufacture of prescription foot orthotics, had operated from the Foot Clinic in St Andrews.

Stephen said: “Our new unit is close to home and offers an ideal layout for manufacturing as well as space for storage.

“Moving the orthotics fabrication to Balcaskie has provided us room for additional CAD/CAM equipment for new projects, as well as enabling us to re-model Children from Little Farmer Childcare having fun in the vegetable patch

Sara Boardman, of Insole PRO and PodoFit, addresses an orthotics technology workshop

Sara’s foot clinic. Sara has launched PodoFit, a podiatrist-led footwear fitting service which has created two new jobs.”

Little Farmer Childcare owner, Jane Parsons said: “I was keen to grow my business and Balcaskie Estate offered the perfect location for a children’s nursery. It’s a safe, rural environment for the children and is more than a nursery - it enables them to spend time outside learning about the workings of the farm as well as growing their own vegetables.”

Business Gateway Fife is working closely with start-up companies within Balcaskie Estate and is providing business development support to Little Farmer Childcare.

One company to work closely with Fife Council to secure business premises is Edenbrook (Fife) Ltd and its directors Scott Park and Craig Murray. When they set-up on their own in 2012 they soon discovered that finding premises was a minefield.

Having looked at a number of units Scott approached Fife Council and quickly secured a leasing unit in Mitchelston Industrial Estate. He said: “Fife Council was incredibly supportive in helping us to find premises but also in creating a unit that met our needs and at a competitive rate. We now operate from a 2,000 sq ft unit which includes a showroom and factory area.”

It was a similar story for packaging company, the Pitreavie Group, when it outgrew its premises in Rosyth last year. It approached Fife Council and within weeks new premises had been leased in the Fife Food and Business Centre in Glenrothes. The size (40,000 sq ft), price, location, accessibility and layout of the unit all combined to make it an attractive option.

For further information contact: Derek Bayne, Lead Officer (Property Management), Tel: 08451 55 55 55 + Ext 49 21 83 or email: Derek.Bayne@fife.gov.uk www.edenbrookfife.co.uk www.pitreaviegroup.co.uk

FIFE SCHOOL LEADS THE WAY Carnegie Primary School in Dunfermline has achieved an Outstanding BREEAM award for its environmental credentials. The £9.6 million state-of-the-art school, built as part of Fife Council’s Building Fife’s Future programme, is the only school in the UK to have achieved this recognition.

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Your future’s unlimited in Fife Fife Council is launching a new campaign to help school leavers find the right skills and career opportunities as part of its commitment to reducing youth unemployment and supporting the needs of local businesses.

The campaign, entitled “Your Future’s Unlimited in Fife” communicates the extensive range of opportunities available to young people from enterprise training, modern apprenticeships, college and university as well as self-employment opportunities.

Using the experience and knowledge from Fife Council’s Business and Employability Team, alongside the Education and Learning Directorate the campaign offers a booklet which acts as a gateway to the various projects, programmes and opportunities available in the business community.

Your Future’s Unlimited will embark on a roadshow throughout Fife’s high schools, key public buildings and shopping centres, together with a dedicated website and a social media campaign to inform parents, inspire young people and support school leavers onto the career ladder.

Councillor Lesley Laird, who is the Chair of the Business Enterprise, Economy & Planning Policy Advisory Group, commented: “The Your Future’s Unlimited campaign is about inspiring young people to take action by providing relevant and up to date information on the broad range of career opportunities which exist in the current labour market and help them to make informed choices when it comes to deciding on subjects or the next step after school.

“There are more modern apprenticeships than ever before with incredible career opportunities and fantastic starting salaries upon qualification. We have more training programmes to get people the technical and interpersonal skills which are required by employers and have fantastic support facilities available to help people apply for jobs. There are also fantastic support facilities and funding available for young people should they choose to set up in business for themselves.”

For more information visit www.opportunitiesfife.org.uk/ yourfuturesunlimited

Test Town Champions: Emma Pauley and Jenna Fairgrieve’s ‘Back on the High Street’ scoops first place.

TEST TOWN BACKS HIGH STREET TEST Town, an initiative to encourage innovative business ideas to breathe life back into Scottish town centres, has been hailed a huge success after recording trading sales of £10,000 in just three days.

The pop-up shop event, organised by the Carnegie UK Trust, brought 11 teams of young entrepreneurs from across the UK to Dunfermline to showcase their business ideas.

It was a Dunfermline entrepreneur and her business partner who scooped the top prize of £10,000. Emma Pauley and Jenna Fairgrieve’s ‘Back on the High Street’ aims to create low-rent retail space for local crafters to sell their handmade items on the high street. The pair plan to open a unit in the Kingsgate.

For more information, please visit: http:// carnegieuktrust.org.uk/changing-lives/ testtown

The campaign booklet acts as a gateway to the various projects, programmes and opportunities available in the business community.

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Fife benefits from window contract

CMS manufacturing windows for Fife Council

Fife Council is leading the UK in sustainable window design. After undertaking significant research as part of its capital investment programme, Fife Council in partnership with CMS Enviro Systems has created a ground-breaking ‘A’ rated window offering major fuel savings and reduced CO2 emissions.

The £7 million five-year window and door replacement contract for council houses in Fife started in 2010 bringing with it a number of added value and community benefit initiatives, including the creation of 40 jobs.

John Rodigan, senior manager, Fife Council Building Services, said: “Through best procurement practice Fife Council is committed to generating opportunities for community benefit as part

of its contracts. CMS has a willingness and commitment to embrace the Community Benefit Clause combining innovative solutions with everyday business.”

CMS recycles all of Fife Council’s windows at its Buko facility and has donated a significant amount of the proceeds to local charities such as Muirhead Outreach and Maggie’s Centre. CMS is now proposing to develop an apprenticeship exchange programme with Fife Council as well as offering work experience to unemployed adults.

Andy Kerr, Managing Director of CMS, said: “Working in partnership with Fife Council has enabled us to introduce a number of added value initiatives including window condition surveys, triple glazed pilot schemes and bespoke design consultancy, whilst delivering a first class service and maximising value for money.”

Fife young entrepreneurs step up to leadership Five Fife early stage businesses are participating in a pilot young persons’ entrepreneurial programme aimed at aiding business growth.

Step up to Leadership, funded by Fife Council Economic Development in partnership with The Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland (PTYBS), supports each of the participants to create a business strategy to structure and manage growth as well as develop leadership skills and consider the role of the business owner in supporting growth.

Jennifer Watson of The Leadership Factory which ran the programme said: “I’m enjoying working with these young entrepreneurs to help them create their growth strategy. By taking time out to think about their vision, the participants have made big steps in taking control of their business growth and managing it to reach their future goal.”

Reflection Hair and Beauty, CK Joinery, Blown Away, BH Plumbing and Heating and Laura’s Chocolates are participating in the programme.

Kirsty Patrick of Reflections Hair and Beauty said: “The Step up to Leadership Programme has been a big help and has made me think more about how I can adapt my business.

I’m already making plans for future growth.”

Pamela Stevenson, Fife Council added: “Business Gateway Fife and PTYBS have been extremely supportive of this pilot programme and are keen to help young entrepreneurs implement their growth plans.”

Former PSYBT Fife Business Award winner Kirsty Patrick (Reflections Hair and Beauty) and runner-up Craig Keicher (CK Joinery) took part in Step up to Leadership run by The Leadership Factory.

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Raising a toast to Fife’s drink manufacturers Fife’s food and drink industry has long been recognised for making some of the world’s finest produce. From top restaurants serving locally sourced produce to a wide array of food and drink producers – large and small – Fife’s agriculture, fishing and drinks industries bring many millions of pounds to the local economy, and provide several thousand jobs.

It is the region’s spirit producers that are revelling in good news. Two new distilleries are scheduled for the region, while Spencerfield Spirit Company is thriving having signed an exclusive deal to have its brands, which include Pig’s Nose and Sheep Dip whiskies, distributed by Ian Macleod Distillers as it looks to grow its brands in the south and into London.

Scottish Government grant funding and Invest in Fife support has brought InchDairney distillery in Glenrothes a step closer. The works on the £8.5 million Scotch whisky distillery and maturation warehouse are underway and on completion in summer 2014 will create ten permanent jobs and in the first three years produce approximately 1.5 million litres of alcohol.

Along the coast, the Wemyss family has started work on a single malt distillery and visitor centre on the Cambo Estate overlooking the Kingsbarns Golf Links. It has also launched six new casks of single cask single malt whiskies, two of which were distilled in 1991.

Diageo’s Cameronbridge Distillery welcomed the Prime Minister David Cameron to its facility recently to see how its newly opened bioenergy plant, part of a £105 million investment, operated. The plant powers the distillery by recycling the natural co-products of distillation and is potentially one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable.

26

The Prime Minister David Cameron with Diageo staff and a special cask of Cameron Brig Scotch Whisky to mark the visit.

Invest in Fife has also been working closely with the global drinks supplier on its £150 million filling and maturation site, Cluny Bond, which will house Diageo’s increasing quantity of maturing Scotch whisky.

Each of these companies although at very different stages is responding to and benefiting from an increased global demand for Scotch whisky and contributing to a prosperous Fife economy.

www.fifediet.co.uk

FIFE DIET LAUNCHES

Fife Diet: Carbon foodprint: comparative study and member analysis 3rd August 2010

NEW MAP The Fife Diet has launched a local food map highlighting food production areas across Fife to make it easier to source food locally.

In addition to highlighting shops, the map shows growing spaces including allotments and community gardens, fruit farms and vegetable box suppliers, and has introduced cafes, hotels and B&Bs, all of which play a key role in the food economy.

The scheme is also seeking additional outlets to be nominated.

Fife Diet map can be downloaded from www.fifediet.co.uk/about-us/source-locally Prepared by: Charles Henderson of Climate Futures

Climate Futures Ltd 164 Montgomery St Edinburgh EH7 5ER Registered in Scotland SC3348804 e: charles@climatefutures.co.uk t: 0131 652 1893

www.climatefutures.co.uk

1

The Federation of Small Businesses Fife and East of Scotland regional chair, Janet Torley, was one of two Scots to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street hosted by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron, to celebrate small businesses.

Speaking after the event, Janet said: “I was honoured to represent all SMEs from the East of Scotland and was delighted to have had the experience not only to visit 10 Downing Street but to meet likeminded business people to discuss the challenges facing small businesses.”

news in brief

FSB’s Janet pops into Number 10

Glenrothes based window and blinds company, VELUX, has won a gold Investor in People recognition. The company achieved the prestigious status for its exceptional commitment to continuous improvement and to providing learning and development opportunities for employees.

/ FIFE’S FIRST GREEN NURSING HOME Pitlair Nursing Home is the first care home in Fife to go ‘green’ following the installation of a biomass fuelled boiler. The care provider took advantage of the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and is already receiving an income for turning pellets into fuel.

/ SCOTASH TO REPRESENT UK AT EUROPEAN BUSINESS AWARDS

Janet Torley is driving a strategy to improve Burntisland and Cowdenbeath high streets.

FSB DRIVES KEEP TRADE LOCAL CAMPAIGN The Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Keep Trade Local campaign is seeking to revitalise two Fife high streets in a bid to attract people back to using independent businesses.

Together with Fife Council and local businesses in Burntisland and Cowdenbeath, Janet Torley regional chair for East of Scotland FSB, is driving a strategy to improve local facilities. A marketing and branding strategy for both towns is being put in place with the aim of attracting visitors all year around.

Janet said:

/ GOLD AWARD FOR VELUX

“Independent retailers are becoming more and more of a rarity on our high streets and while I am encouraged by the positive attitudes of the retailers I have spoken to, we must offer greater support to ensure our high streets don’t die away.

“One change I would like is for the Scottish Government to review its landlord legislation to put the onus on landlords to ensure the buildings – empty and occupied - are well maintained. An appealing high street is half the battle.”

To find out more about FSB’s activity across Fife please visit www.fsb.org.uk or email Gordon.henderson@fsb.org.uk

ScotAsh has been named as a National Champion in the European Business Awards 2013/2014. Recognised for its business excellence, and its innovation and sustainability, it was selected as one of the UK’s 50 National Champions, and will compete for Ruban d’Honneur status in the next round of the competition.

ScotAsh is also celebrating its third consecutive Gold Medal from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for its health and safety performance.

→

For more news in brief see P28

27

news in brief

/ DUNFERMLINE BOUTIQUE EXPANDS WITH GRANT A Dunfermline clothing boutique is to expand thanks to a £5000 grant from Dunfermline Delivers and Fife Council. Maggie’s Farm received the grant in March and has renovated the rear of the premises to make room for an in-store hairdresser and make-up artist. It also has a beauty parlour.

/ PROCLAD INVESTS IN THE FUTURE AND GROWTH Manufacturing company FTV Proclad is celebrating winning a major Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) award of £750,000 from Scottish Enterprise.

The grant will enable the Glenrothes based company to invest in a £6 million upgrade programme including the purchase of eight state of the art CNC machines which will enable it to take on new business, creating 10 new jobs.

/ GRANT FOR COOPER SOFTWARE Dunfermline’s Cooper Software has received a £5000 grant from the Fife Investment Fund to develop its web presence and social media activity to assist in market development and to generate new business contracts from the UK and Europe. Business Gateway Fife supported the application for the grant which encourages small companies to grow by investing in key business areas.

28

Two Fife firms receive smart funding Two Fife companies have received grants totalling £173,003 from SMART: SCOTLAND to support technical feasibility studies and research and development projects with a commercial endpoint.

Epipole Ltd received the maximum level of funding - £100,000 - while communications technology company AIMS (INT) Limited received £73,003 - its third SMART: SCOTLAND award. This recent grant will support its vectored VDSL2 integrated test solution study and the feasibility of developing test solutions for this technology.

Meet the buyer brings results for ESA McIntosh ESA McIntosh has been selected as the preferred furniture, fittings and equipment provider for the education fit-out for the new Burntisland Primary School.

The contract, estimated to be in the region of £400,000, was awarded by BAM Construction Ltd and is a direct result of ESA McIntosh’s participation in Meet the Buyer, an event highlighting supply opportunities relating to three new Fife schools.

Doug Hay, director of AIMS (INT) Limited, said: “We are very pleased to have received this award which will help AIMS to stay at the forefront of DSL technology, and enable us to provide test solutions for the next generation of broadband modems.

“This will add to our existing software products for testing ADSL, ADSL2plus and VDSL2 modems which we already supply to telecom operators in the UK, Europe, USA and the Far East. Our worldwide network of distributors is eagerly anticipating this high technology solution.”

For Epipole, its first piece of hardware is under development. Company founder Dr Craig Robertson said: “With our SMART grant we are building a mass market diabetic retinopathy monitoring and screening platform to help diabetes sufferers with the early detection of vision loss. We’ve spent two years planning this portable, low cost, tool and are approximately half way through its development with its launch planned for next year.”

Picture shows ESA McIntosh’s fit-out at Dunfermline High School.

Ramsay McDonald, Sales Director of ESA McIntosh, said: “Meet the Buyer provided an opportunity to interact with those managing the delivery of the new Fife schools and has proved fruitful for us. This agreement also reflects our wider interest in growing our business in Fife and preserving and adding to local employment initiatives with Fife Council.”

Alan Paul, Senior Manager, Property Services at Fife Council, said: “We’re keen to award more work to local firms and to have engaged with over 70 at Meet the Buyer is encouraging.

The procurement of ESA McIntosh is an important milestone in the development of Burntisland Primary School and is also an example of how Fife Council is working with local business to make Fife the best place to do business.”

Meet the Buyer was hosted by BAM Construction Ltd and Fife Council Economic Development Team.

Representatives from Fife Council Property Services, Fife Chamber of Commerce, Business Gateway Fife, Opportunities Fife and the Supplier Development Programme also collaborated.

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Events Diary TITLE

DATE & TIME

VENUE

COST

CONTACT

Newly Self Employed – The Basics

20 Sept 9.30-12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Business Expenses & Capital Allowances for the Self Employed

27 Sept 9.30 - 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Basic Book-keeping

21 Oct 9.30 – 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Basic Book-keeping

6 Nov 9.30 – 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Newly Self Employed – The Basics

7 Nov 9.30-12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Introduction to VAT

18 Nov 10.00-12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Business Expenses & Capital Allowances for the Self Employed

21 Nov 9.30 - 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Financial Management

27 Nov 10.00 – 1pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Basic Book-keeping

9 Dec 9.30 – 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Social Media - Advanced

18 Sept 9.30 – 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

WordPress

24 Sept 9.30 – 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Trading Online

26 Sept 9.30 - 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Social Media - Advanced

19 Nov 9.30 – 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Improve Your Search Engine Ranking

21 Nov 9.30 – 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Trading Online

28 Nov 9.30 - 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Social Media - Basic

4 Dec 9.30 – 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

WordPress

6 Dec 9.30 – 12.30pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

30 Oct 9.30 – 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Marketing Your Business

14 Oct 9.30 – 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Advertising and Promotion

21 Oct 9.30 -12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Mastering Selling Skills

28 Oct 9.30 -12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

PR on a Shoestring

31 Oct 10.00 -1pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes KY6 2AL

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

PR on a Shoestring

5 Dec 10.00 -1pm

Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Free

www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333

Overcoming Barriers to People Buying

19 Sept 7.45am - 10am

The Rothes Halls, Glenrothes

£15+VAT

Jacqui Curley 01592 647740

Fife Chamber Annual Dinner

20 Sept 7pm - 11.30pm

The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews

£75+VAT

Jacqui Curley 01592 647740

Knockhill Experience Event

30 Sept 1.30pm - 6pm

Knockhill, By Dunfermline

£100+VAT

Jacqui Curley 01592 647740

Succession Planning Breakfast

3 Oct 8am - 10am

Balbirnie House Hotel, Markinch

£15+VAT

Jacqui Curley 01592 647740

Member to Member Event

22 Oct 5.30pm - 7.30pm

East Fife Football Club, Bayview Stadium, Harbour View, Methil KY8 3RW

£12+VAT

Jacqui Curley 01592 647740

21 November 9am – 4.15pm

Perth Concert Hall

£25 which includes lunch

Dorothy Smith, Fife Council Dorothy.Smith@fife.gov.uk

Finance

Ecommerce Courses

HR Becoming an Employer

Sales & Marketing

Fife Chamber Events

Fife Council Events Onsite Renewables Exhibition and Workshops

30

FIFE BUSINESS WEEK EVENTS TITLE

TIME

VENUE

COST

CONTACT

Developing a Social Media Strategy

9.30am – 1pm

Rosyth Business Centre, Unit 16, Cromarty Campus, Europarc, Rosyth, KY11 2WX

Free

Liberty Business Centres 01383 823030 kerry@libertybusinesscentres.co.uk

A Practical Guide to Energy Efficiency in the Workplace (In partnership with Green Business Fife)

10am – 12 noon

Fife Renewables Innovation Centre, Methil Docks Business Park, Methil, KY8 3RS

Free

Business Gateway Fife 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Family Business: Winning Formula or Recipe for Disaster (In partnership with FSB)

6pm – 8pm

The Queensferry Hotel, St Margaret’s Head, North Queensferry, KY11 1HP

Free

Business Gateway Fife 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Basic Social Media for Creative & Cultural Industries

9.30am – 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes, KY6 2AL

Free

Creative Fife Louise.trow@fife.gov.uk 01592 538255

Bringing in the Dough for Tourism Businesses

11am – 3.30pm

Collessie Victory Hall, Collessie, KY15 7RG

£20

Fife Food Network 07977 510 435 viv@foodfromfife.co.uk

How to Start Selling into International Markets

3pm – 5pm

Business Gateway Fife, Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes, KY6 2AL

Free

Business Gateway Fife 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Create in Fife Awards

6.30pm – 10pm

The Atrium, Fife College, St Brycedale Campus, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1EX

Free

Creative Fife Louise.trow@fife.gov.uk 01592 538255

Forth Replacement Crossing Event

Registration 4.30pm, event from 5pm – 7pm

Forth Replacement Crossing Contact & Education Centre, Forth Road Bridge, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, EH30 9SF

Free

Fife Chamber of Commerce 01592 647740 www.fifechamber.co.uk/events

Find It, Win It, Keep It

9.30am – 4.30pm

Carnegie Conference Centre, Halbeath Rd, Dunfermline, KY11 8DY

Best Practice Visit to Diageo Packaging Site

1pm – 3.30pm

Banbeath Industrial Estate, Leven, KY8 5HD (East gate entrance)

Free

Green Business Fife 08451 55 5555 ext 492175 dorothy.smith@fife.gov.uk

ISO 9001 – What to Expect in 2015

2.30pm – 4.30pm

Carnegie Conference Centre, Halbeath, Dunfermline KY11 8DY

£35 plus VAT

SQMC – ISO Trainers & Consultants 0845 166 8098 training@sqmc.co.uk

Find New Clients in 10 Simple Steps a Day

9.30am – 1pm

Rosyth Business Centre, Unit 16, Cromarty Campus, Europarc, Rosyth, KY11 2WX

Free

Liberty Business Centres 01383 823030 kerry@libertybusinesscentres.co.uk

Business Gifts – Networking with a HUGE difference

9am – 11am

Evans Easyspace, John Smith Business Park, Kirkcaldy, KY2 6HD

£5

Business 50 www.business50.co.uk

Get Real Results from your Website

10am – 1pm

Dunfermline Business Centre, Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline, KY11 3BZ

Free

Business Gateway Fife 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Manufacturing in Fife - A Scottish Engineering Perspective - Business Breakfast

8am – 10am

BAE Systems, North Way, Hillend Industrial Park, Dalgety Bay, KY11 9HQ

Free

Fife Council Economic Development 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Intellectual Property - The Essentials for Business Success

9.30am – 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes, KY6 2AL

Free

Business Gateway Fife 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Bridgehead: A Hub of Activity

8.45am – 11am

Forth Replacement Crossing Contact & Education Centre, Forth Road Bridge, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, EH30 9SF

Free

Invest in Fife 08451 55 5555 ext 492175 dorothy.smith@fife.gov.uk

Developing International Business

9.30am – 1pm

Rosyth Business Centre, Unit 16, Cromarty Campus, Europarc, Rosyth, KY11 2WX

Free

Liberty Business Centres 01383 823030 kerry@libertybusinesscentres.co.uk

Getting the Most Out of Your People

9.30am – 12.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes, KY6 2AL

Free

Business Gateway Fife 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Collaborate for Growth

2pm – 4.30pm

Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes, KY6 2AL

Free

Business Gateway Fife / Co-Operative Development Scotland 01592 858333 success@bgfife.co.uk

Monday 11th November

Tuesday 12th November

Wednesday 13th November

Supplier Development Programme Fife Council 08451 555 555 ext 406752 http://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events/eventscalendar/2013/october/find-it-win-it-keep-it(fife)-workshop-1-of-2

Thursday 14th November

Friday 15th November

For more information on the events listed above, please visit: www.fifebusinessweek.co.uk

31

Looking for funding or advice?

We can help.

Fife Investment Fund

Expert Help

• grant funding of up to £5,000.

• provides fully-funded or part-funded consultancy support.

• for businesses with up to 50 employees, in manufacturing, business-to-business services and tourism.

• expenditure on plant & machinery; property improvements; new product development and process improvement can be supported.

Create in Fife Fund • provides financial support to creative businesses in Fife, 50% contribution up to a maximum of £1,500.

• Typical projects can include market development; website development; process and product development; ecommerce development and capital equipment.

East of Scotland Investment Fund • loans up to £50,000 with fixed intest rate of 6%.

• 5-year repayment period.

• full details at www.eastscotinvest.co.uk

Market Development Programme • provides assistance for exhibiting at trade shows in the UK & overseas and organised trade missions.

• typical projects can include marketing; sales; PR; human resources; process development; quality and finance.

HR Adviser – New We understand time is precious and support with recruiting new staff or a query with managing your people can arise and be time consuming. We are pleased to offer this free service that can support your HR/Personnel needs. Support can be provided in the following areas; sourcing new employees; new employee contracts; employee relations; employment law and HMRC requirements – Payroll, Tax and NI.

Low Carbon Adviser – New We are pleased to announce a new Low Carbon Support Programme aimed at assisting businesses to help reduce energy consumption and save money. Support can be provided in the following areas; resource efficiency reviews; energy management; initial renewable energy feasibility studies and assistance with funding for the installation of energy efficient or renewable energy technologies.

• grant funding of 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of £2,000.

Contact us to discuss funding options & other support

01592 858333 or success@bgfife.co.uk www.bgateway.com