We love it when businesses send us their good news and here’s our latest good news round-up, kindly sponsored by PALADIN. Awards, expansion, new contracts or new appointments, if you’ve got some good news you want to share please email the editor, Martin Shaw, on martin@huddersfieldhub.co.uk.
A construction equipment firm with a depot in Huddersfield has celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Chippindale Hire & Sales reached the big milestone on April 26 2024. Founded in 1949 by Wilfred Chippindale with a humble investment of £100, the company has evolved from its modest beginnings in Leeds to emerge as one of the most influential players and employers in the UK construction sector.
From its inception as a small enterprise operating from Wilfred Chippindale’s home, primarily dealing in concrete and scaffolding sales, the company has been transformed.
With the inclusion of Wilfred’s sons, Brian and Gordon, in 1955, followed by the pivotal involvement of his grandsons, Nigel and Peter Chippindale, the company expanded its footprint across the North of the country opening eight depots, spearheading its rise to prominence in the industry.
Reflecting on the journey, Peter Chippindale, joint managing director, said: “Our commitment to family values and service excellence in the region, has remained unwavering throughout the decades, serving as the cornerstone of our business ethos.”
Over the past 75 years, Chippindale Hire & Sales has consistently embraced innovation and customer-centricity, pioneering advancements in technology and service delivery.
Noteworthy milestones include outfitting its entire truck fleet with radio phones in 1972 and pioneering the adoption of computer systems in 1982.
Chippindale now has partnerships with industry-leading brands like Atlas Copco, Volvo, BOMAG, Stihl, Belle, Mecalac and Epiroc.
Looking ahead, the company remains steadfast in its pursuit of growth and sustainability, especially now it is part of the AER Rents group.
Following Peter and Nigel’s retirement at the end of this month, new managing director Paul Blake is now fully leading the team, with over 40 years’ experience and exciting plans for the future including multimillion pound expansion initiatives, the integration of e-commerce platforms and bolstering its equipment offerings.
Mr Blake added: “Our focus on sustainability and innovation remains a core focus, as we strive for ISO 45001 accreditation at all depots within the next 12 months.
“As we embark on the next chapter, the fundamental values laid down by Wilfred Chippindale 75 years ago continue to guide our path.
“Grounded in an unwavering dedication to delivering quality equipment and unparalleled service, we are primed to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with confidence and resilience.”
For more information on Chippindale Plant visit www.chippindale-plant.co.uk
Huddersfield-based independent training provider, National Business College, is celebrating its recently published achievement rates for the academic year 2022/23.
National Business College (NBC), based in Greenhead Road, had an achievement rate of 70.9% compared to the national average of 54.6%.
The latest figures reveal that the achievement rate for their largest delivery area, The Business Administrator level 3 Apprenticeship is 82.4%, that’s 19.1% above the national average of 63.3%.
Operations manager Keely Carleton said: “We will continue to build on the quality of the training and support we provide and are aiming for achievement rates in the region of 75% this academic year.
“I am proud of the trainers and staff at NBC and the support they give our apprentices and employers. The team provides meaningful training enabling our apprentices to become valued members of the local workforce.”
Kirklees College and Kirklees Council have announced an exciting new partnership to deliver the first construction training facility in North Kirklees.
The Kirklees Build project will see development of a new skills and education centre delivering practical construction training within a live site environment, located initially at Kirklees College’s Springfield Sixth Form Centre in Dewsbury.
The Construction Skills Hub will be a leading-edge facility that will deliver training in modern methods of construction, retrofit, low carbon energy and other future skills needs.
The centre has been designed in collaboration with stakeholders including the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to ensure that the facilities included will equip the next generation with the skills needed to meet the demands of the future.
The second phase of the project will involve developing a construction skills hub at a major housing development in North Kirklees. The project is being funded through a Government grant from the Dewsbury Town Fund programme and Kirklees Council.
Steve Plumstead, head of faculty for construction and land-based studies at Kirklees College, said: “We are delighted to be working with Kirklees Council to bring construction training to North Kirklees for the first time.
“Based initially at Springfield Sixth Form Centre, the Construction Training Hub will help students develop a range of trade skills in a ‘realistic’ site environment.
“Serving as the initial part of the Kirklees Build project, when the site is relocated, students will also gain the invaluable experience of working at a live site and seeing how a major building development project unfolds.”
David Shepherd, strategic director for growth and regeneration at Kirklees Council, said: “Over the next decade we’ll see unprecedented levels of investment in major infrastructure and development projects across Kirklees – including the flagship Our Cultural Heart project, the renovation of the George Hotel and other schemes delivered through the Huddersfield Blueprint programme.
“Through our partnership with Kirklees College, the Kirklees Build project will equip local residents to access the skills they need to develop rewarding careers in the construction industry and inspire a new generation of young people to take up these opportunities.”
The project has been in development for two years, following significant growth predictions in the sector by leading construction companies. For example, CITB has identified need for 225,000 additional roles in the sector between 2023 – 2027.
Locally, there is also a significant gap in provision and there is currently no college training facilities for construction trades in North Kirklees.
These factors, combined with a sector-wide push to attract a more diverse workforce and develop specialist net zero training provision, mean that this new facility will significantly boost North Kirklees’ ongoing contribution to the local construction industry.
Kirklees College is hopeful that the new training site will attract a wide range of young people in Dewsbury and the surrounding area to join the college’s Construction department, which is more popular than ever.
Applications for Construction courses starting in September 2024 at Kirklees College are now open. Apply now at www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/subjects/construction.
Jones Homes is set to build 21 homes next to its Century View development in Golcar after completing the purchase of a neighbouring parcel of land.
The housebuilder is to deliver the collection of three, four and five-bedroom properties as a second phase of the development, off Swallow Lane, where 19 homes have previously been built and sold.
Construction work is due to start early autumn after Jones Homes completed the deal to buy the 1.8-acre plot in March. Planning permission is already in place for the new homes.
The second phase at Century View will feature 17 homes for private sale and four affordable homes. Each property will feature at least two off-road parking spaces and some will have garages. All the homes will have an electric vehicle charging point.
As part of the planning agreement for the properties, Jones Homes will invest more than £80,000 in education, public open spaces, and ecology measures.
Jayne Swift, sales and marketing director for Jones Homes Yorkshire, said: “Now that the purchase of this land has been completed, we can start construction work and forge ahead with our plans to deliver another collection of high-quality new-build properties at this fantastic location.
“The range of properties is designed to meet the specific requirements of the local housing market and will create a seamless extension to our Century View development. The 19 homes we completed at Century View in 2020 were incredibly popular and a vibrant new community has been established here.
“In addition to delivering a number of new homes, Jones Homes will invest more than £80,000 to help improve local infrastructure and facilities and have a positive impact on the daily lives of people in Golcar. We will be contributing £37,233 towards education provision at Colne Valley High School, in nearby Linthwaite, £36,645 for off-site public open space and £7,245 to help improve biodiversity.
“We anticipate we will be in a position to release the first new homes for sale in the autumn of 2024 and expect that these properties in the second phase will continue the sell-out success of our first build programme at Century View.”
The affordable homes at Century View will be three-bedroom properties and the private homes for sale will be a mix of three, four and five-bedroom houses.
To find out more, visit www.jones-homes.co.uk
Leading systems integrator, Lancereal, has bolstered its electrification product portfolio by forging a key partnership with Curtis Instruments (UK) Ltd.
Established in 1988, Kirkburton-based Lancereal specialises in the design and supply of power transmission solutions. Harnessing a wealth of experience, the company works alongside global manufacturers to ensure it can offer its customers the optimal solution for their vehicle design. Lancereal serves a breadth of industries including material handling, construction, agriculture and turfcare.
The partnership with Curtis (UK), a US-based electrification company with a global presence, will enable Lancereal to supply its UK and Ireland customers with a complete powertrain system.
The Curtis (UK) product portfolio includes motor controllers, CAN modules, programmers, instrumentation, battery chargers and converters.
As well as supporting its own customers with the electrification of their vehicles, Lancereal will also be working in partnership with Curtis (UK) to strengthen its UK presence and support its OEM customers entering into electrification.
Nick Hampson, managing director at Lancereal, said “Electrification of vehicles is very much the future and there are huge incentives for machine manufacturers to move towards battery driven equipment as part of the zero emissions targets.
“Curtis (UK) was particularly interested in our expertise in gearboxes and drive systems and, as we operate in very similar markets, it felt fitting for our two companies to join forces to enhance our capabilities.
“By offering Curtis’s high quality and innovative products to OEMs who are looking to electrify their machines, we will be supporting the need for a sustainable future. We are therefore very excited to see where the partnership will take us.”
Kerry Green, managing director at Curtis (UK), said “I see Lancereal as an ideal partner as they already supply high quality transmissions and motor drives into the same markets as Curtis.
“Now, with the addition of Curtis products, they can provide complete vehicle solutions. From customer feedback, I know their service and support is exemplary and customers are in safe hands.”
Lancereal offers a full service solution to its customers from design and prototype development to production, supply and aftermarket support.
