Black Country news and blogs Saturday 8 November 2014
Dudley business news
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Business
Vince Cable calls for resolution to Jaguar Land Rover pay dispute 
Birmingham Post 7 Nov 14
Shop stewards have called on workers to reject a deal worth around 14 per cent over three years amid fears that pensions will be cut to help pay for the rises…
Business
Queen’s Jaguar Land Rover visit masks a pensions storm in waiting
Birmingham Post 6 Nov 14
An internal shop stewards document was released accusing Jaguar Land Rover of “investing millions around the globe on the back of the sweat of the UK workforce” while gorging on profits of £10 million a day.
Business
Cycling performance helps Halfords clock up £500m of revenue in the first half
TheBusinessDesk 6 Nov 14
AUTOMOTIVE, cycling and leisure products retailer Halfords has seen its half year revenue pass the £500m mark.
Business
JLR chief Ralf Speth urges workers to accept pay deal
Birmingham Post 6 Nov 14
Letter from chief executive of luxury car manufacturer says pay offer is 50 per cent more than current inflation rate…
Business
Jaguar Land Rover looks to recruit 200 new apprentices
TheBusinessDesk 5 Nov 14
VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover, the UKs largest automotive apprenticeship provider, has launched its 2015 apprenticeship recruitment campaign.
Business
GKN pioneers new hybrid technology for buses
TheBusinessDesk 5 Nov 14
MIDLANDS engineering group GKN is ramping up production of a new hybrid technology for buses that will enable operators to save fuel, reduce fares and make some routes more viable.
Business
Former JLR CEO is just what Rolls-Royce needs says chief executive
TheBusinessDesk 5 Nov 14
THE appointment of Jaguar Land Rovers former chief executive as Rolls-Royces new CFO will be crucial to the latters long path back to profitable growth, its chairman has said.
Business
Grant Thornton employer solutions team boosted by specialist hire
Birmingham Post 5 Nov 14
Mr Verney joins Grant Thornton after almost 17 years at KPMG in Nottingham, ten of which were spent specialising in employment tax in the education sector…
Business
Higgs & Sons appoints first-ever non-lawyer partner
TheBusinessDesk 4 Nov 14
BLACK Country law firm Higgs & Sons has announced the appointment of its non-lawyer partner.
Business
Birmingham to get new water source to allow for Elan Valley repairs
Birmingham Post 4 Nov 14
Severn Trent announces multi-million pound scheme to construct a water pipeline linking site on River Severn in Worcestershire to Frankley Treatment Works…
Business
NEW: Rolls-Royce axes 2,600 jobs to protect its medium term recovery
TheBusinessDesk 4 Nov 14
AERO engine manufacturer Rolls Royce has announced it is to cut 2,600 jobs the bulk of them within its aerospace division as it responds to declining demand across its markets.
Business
Lifestyle: Motoring – BMW X5 & X6 M; Skoda; Jaguar
TheBusinessDesk 4 Nov 14
IN the quest to find the best high performance vehicles in the world, the exploits of BMWs M Division are legendary.
Business
St Modwen moves HQ to Longbridge
Birmingham Post 4 Nov 14
Regeneration specialist moves to heartland of £1bn project as new regional director appointed to replace retiring John Dodds…
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Business
St Modwen moves its head office to Longbridge as new regional director announced
TheBusinessDesk 3 Nov 14
BIRMINGHAM developer St Modwen has relocated its head office from Quinton Business Park to Longbridge, its £1bn regeneration project.
Business
24% of workers in the West Midlands earning less than the Living Wage
TheBusinessDesk 3 Nov 14
NEW research from accountancy and advisory firm KPMG has revealed that 5.28m UK workers, or 22% of the workforce, earns less than the Living Wage.
Business
Birmingham Airport takes a bite out of the Big Apple as American Airlines announces JFK route
TheBusinessDesk 3 Nov 14
DIRECT flights between Birmingham Airport and New Yorks JFK Airport will begin next May, the airport has announced.
Business
Facebook backlash in Jaguar Land Rover pay dispute
Birmingham Post 3 Nov 14
Angry works take to social media to vent fury against company over ongoing pensions and pay row…
Business
Former Metalrax business PCS Brands lapses into administration with 104 redundancies
TheBusinessDesk 1 Nov 14
A FORMER part of Birmingham manufacturing group Metalrax has collapsed into administration with the loss of more than 100 jobs.
Business
Economy survey results revealed at business breakfast
Birmingham Post 1 Nov 14
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) held a breakfast event in partnership with recruitment and people development agency Katie Bard, hosted by KPMG at its One Snowhill offices.
Business
Jaguar Land Rover’s new plant likely to boost UK engine production by around a third
TheBusinessDesk 31 Oct 14
THE revenue generated by engine manufacturing in the UK is expected to increase by up to £2.5bn in two years, boosted by new developments like the opening of Jaguar Land Rovers new £500m engine…
Business
The Queen officially opens Jaguar Land Rover’s new £500m Engine Manufacturing Centre
TheBusinessDesk 31 Oct 14
JAGUAR Land Rover has officially commemorated the opening of its new £500m engine manufacturing plant near Wolverhampton at a ceremony by HM The Queen.
Business
Merry Hill owner agrees new £600m credit facility
TheBusinessDesk 31 Oct 14
THE owner of the Merry Hill and Potteries shopping centres, Intu Properties, has concluded a new £600m revolving credit facility.
Business
Special Report: JLR Engine Manufacturing Centre, a “seminal moment”
TheBusinessDesk 30 Oct 14
THE opening of its new state-of-the-art £500m engine plant near Wolverhampton has been described by Jaguar land Rover as a seminal moment for the business as well it should.
Business
The MG Rover Phoenix Four must cough up
Birmingham Post 30 Oct 14
The Phoenix Four have finally run out of excuses, and they are about to pocket another million quid each from the wreckage of the car crash that they presided over at MG Rover.
Business
The sorry legacy of MG Rover’s Phoenix Four
Birmingham Post 30 Oct 14
John Towers, Peter Beale, Nick Stephenson and John Edwards became the unacceptable face of capitalism with the closure of MG Rover nearly ten years ago after racking up debts of more than £1 billion.
Business
Unions on offensive in Jaguar Land Rover pay dispute
Birmingham Post 30 Oct 14
JLR bosses accused of investing millions around the world on the back of the sweat of the UK workforce…
Business
Union on offensive in Jaguar Land Rover pay dispute
Birmingham Post 30 Oct 14
JLR bosses accused of investing millions around the world on the back of the sweat of the UK workforce…
Business
Queen opens Jaguar Land Rover’s new i54 engine plant
Birmingham Post 30 Oct 14
Her Majesty’s visit comes at difficult time for the company as it continues negotiations with trade unions over pay dispute…
Business
National Express looks for new opportunities to drive the business forward
TheBusinessDesk 30 Oct 14
BIRMINGHAM-based transport group, National Express, has said it plans to build on a strong third quarter by identifying new opportunities for the business.
Business
Former MG Rover chief’s letter sparks call for payout
Birmingham Post 30 Oct 14
John Towers, one of the notorious Phoenix Four, told former workers the entire assets of subsidiary MGR Capital would be wiped out four years before he pocketed £1m…
Business
Warwickshire CCC first team matches plan for ex-M&B Brewery ground
Birmingham Post 30 Oct 14
The club will take ownership of the former MB Brewery sport ground at Cape Hill in early November, which will be run as a community facility…
Business
NEW: Jaguar Land Rover confirms Discovery Sport will be first model made in Brazil
TheBusinessDesk 29 Oct 14
VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that its new Land Rover Discovery Sport will be the first model produced at its new plant in Brazil.
Business
Virgin Rail revenues up almost 6% after new franchise agreement
TheBusinessDesk 29 Oct 14
TRANSPORT group Stagecoach, minority shareholder in Virgin Rail Group, has said it remains on course to meet expectations.
Business
JLR supplier secures £1m funding deal from Finance Birmingham
TheBusinessDesk 28 Oct 14
A COMPONENT supplier to Jaguar Land Rover has created dozen new jobs and safeguarded a further 56, after securing a £1m national tooling loan from Finance Birmingham.
Business
Economy slows for three months to October but remains strong – CBI
TheBusinessDesk 28 Oct 14
ECONOMIC growth slowed a little in the three months to October but remains relatively solid, the CBI said today.
Business
Jaguar Land Rover strike threat after unions turn down 14% rise
Birmingham Post 28 Oct 14
Three-year pay deal rejected amid concerns over cuts to pensions, starter rates and bonus payments…
News
Jaguar Land Rover strike threat after unions turn down 14% rise
Birmingham Post 28 Oct 14
Three-year pay deal rejected amid concerns over cuts to pensions, starter rates and bonus payments…
Business
Finance Birmingham announces £1m backing for Jaguar Land Rover supplier
Birmingham Post 28 Oct 14
Second deal in a week for finance body which has enabled manufacturer to press on with new contract to supply i54 site…
Business
Six director promotions in KPMG’s Midlands teams
Birmingham Post 28 Oct 14
Group steps up to senior roles in audit, transactions and restructuring, and tax teams…
Business
Former Business Link HQ sold in £4.3m deal
TheBusinessDesk 27 Oct 14
THE former home of business support service Business Link West Midlands and one of the most controversial office buildings in the West Midlands has finally been sold in a deal worth more than £4m.
Business
Strike action threatening to overshadow Jaguar Land Rover’s Royal celebration
TheBusinessDesk 27 Oct 14
VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover faces the embarrassment of industrial action overshadowing what is likely to be one of the most prestigious events in the companys history.
Business
KPMG appoints five new directors in Birmingham
TheBusinessDesk 27 Oct 14
KPMG has announced the appointment of six new directors in the Midlands as it continues to strengthen its senior team in the region.
Business
St Modwen gets green light for major industrial estate expansion
Birmingham Post 27 Oct 14
Next phase of Centurion Park can begin as regeneration specialists continues investment in logistics hub…
Business
Former MG Rover bosses to share £6m payout
Birmingham Post 25 Oct 14
Phoenix Four and ex-chief executive in line for bumper pay day following deal with liquidator…
Business
Cadbury Bournville can’t return to ‘days of women in hair nets’
Birmingham Post 25 Oct 14
Cadbury workers must accept owner Mondelez International’s modern practices ‘ultimatum’ to survive, claims MP Steve McCabe.
Business
200,000 sq ft expansion of Centurion Park green lighted
TheBusinessDesk 24 Oct 14
NORTH Warwickshire Borough Council has granted outline planning consent for a new 200,000 sq ft employment development near junction 10 of the M42.
Business
Full up sign out at St Modwen’s Redditch office park
TheBusinessDesk 24 Oct 14
DEVELOPER St Modwen has completed the final deal at its office development The Oaks in Redditch.
Business
£8m MG Rover pension settlement reached ten years after firm collapsed
TheBusinessDesk 24 Oct 14
SOME 95 former MG Rover workers are to be given a pensions boost after an £8m settlement was reached.
Business
Ten-year MG Rover pension delay finally resolved with £8m payout
Birmingham Post 24 Oct 14
Saga branded an ‘impenetrable mess’ by MP will see 95 former Longbridge staff receive additional money following 2005 collapse…
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Business
Manufacturing growth slows as exports fall away
TheBusinessDesk 23 Oct 14
THE recovery in British manufacturing continued in the three months to October, but the pace of growth slowed as new export orders declined, according to a new survey.