After four years conducting the survey in-house, Sleepmasters chose to outsource the staff survey and questionnaire to specialists, Scancapture, after considerable change in the business.

Noel Jolly, Head of HR at Sleepmasters said: “The recent changes in our recruitment and training processes and the acquisition of The Bed Shed meant it was more important than ever to look at our staff satisfaction in much more detail so we can assess how well we perform in managing change.

“This latest survey has produced a very interesting set of results – we are incredibly pleased at how they indicate we manage change particularly well.

“There has also been a 70% swing in the satisfaction on recruitment processes compared with that of two or three years ago which proves our investment into this area has been worthwhile.”

Steve Smith, Managing Director of Scancapture said: “It has been great to work with such a large local business and know that our service has been very well received throughout Sleepmasters.

“Following the scanning of the returned surveys we produced some Management Information Dashboards to enable Noel and the HR team to quickly and easily look at trends for different groups of staff and analyse where they need to improve and see where they are doing well.”

As a result of the survey and the ease of assessing the results Sleepmasters are in the process of producing a document with survey feedback to hand out to all employees.

The survey was conducted across the whole organisation and will be repeated in six months.

Noel said: “Our staff are incredibly important to us and we like to ensure that the service and support we give to our staff in all departments is making a difference.

“Using services local to Sleepmasters head office is incredibly important to us and Scancapture have not disappointed. They have helped provide us with a base set of results, in six months time we can compare and ensure we are moving in the right direction.”

Steve added: “Sleepmasters are certainly utilising the results we produced for them in the right way – providing feedback to employees is a great way to increase engagement. We are delighted this project has gone to plan and we are looking forward to working with Sleepmasters again in a few months.”

Scancapture also work with leading names such as Bourne Leisure and the John Lewis Partnership, for more information on Scancapture and their staff satisfaction surveys visit www.scancapture.co.uk or call 01254 888157.
Ends

Launched in September 2009, the Yeti is everything you could want from a go-anywhere, do-anything crossover. With a rugged, muscular 4×4 look along with practical, family-orientated fixtures and fittings, it is a sublime SUV for the school run.

Press the off-road button, and the Yeti takes on a whole new persona. Roaring across rolling hills, descending steep valleys and taking on any terrain and winning, the Yeti works, wherever, whenever.

The car was put through its paces in traditional Top Gear-style, becoming a tattoo parlour and a helipad.

Simpsons Skoda, based at Riversway Motor Park in Preston, always knew the car they were selling was a world beater. Neil Simpson, Managing Director, said: “We’ve had the Yeti in stock for over a year now, and all our customers who have bought it have been thrilled. It is a superb machine.

“As a Top Gear fan, it was exciting seeing the Yeti on the programme, but it wasn’t as exhilarating as driving the real thing.”

The choices are varied for customers looking to add that personal touch to their Yeti. Options include diesel or petrol engines, two or four wheel drive, a removable Varioflex rear seating system, ample boot space and heaps of headroom.

Simpsons has been motoring in Lancashire for more than 60 years, and are Lancashire’s largest Skoda dealership.

It offers new and used sales and houses a business unit which deals with fleets of any size, from a single-car deal to any size. Sales, leasing and contract hire are available. Simpsons is also a Motability approved dealer with full service, repair and MOT testing facilities.

There are five models currently available in the Skoda range, the Fabia, Roomster, Octavia, Superb and the Yeti, the latest off the production line from the Czech manufacturers.

For further details, visit www.simpsonsskoda.co.uk, call 01772 722200. Or call in to our Riversway showroom on Admiral Way Preston PR2 2TY

Ends

Inkthreadable creates personalised products using printing and embroidery machines. Darweners Alexander and Aaron Cunliffe, who are aged 15 and twins, launched the business along with Alexander’s girlfriend Amy Dunn.

“We are so excited to be able to launch a concession stand in a shopping outlet as popular as Oswaldtwistle Mills. It is the perfect place to take our business to the next level,” said Alexander.

The talented trio have spent much of their spare time coming up with innovative ideas for the business, while continuing to study towards their GCSEs this summer.

They supply items from mouse mats and coasters, to t-shirts and hoodies, which can be personally designed with any images or lettering.

Boyd Hargreaves, Managing Director of Oswaldtwistle Mills said: “We are pleased to welcome the Inkthreadable team to Oswaldtwistle Mills. With such an interesting business and a talented young team, we wish them all the best in growing Inkthreadable further, with support from our customers.”

Alexander and Aarons’ parents own Babywise Mattress Factory in Darwen, and Aaron believes seeing his mum and dad’s success is what has sparked his entrepreneurial spirit.

“Our parents have always encouraged us to be independent and business-minded, and when they saw how determined we were to make the business work, they were extremely supportive,” said Aaron.

The young team started the business at home, and for the first six months offered their products to their peers at St Bede’s in Blackburn.

The products proved so popular, they had to invest in a new printing machine.

Peter Cunliffe, the twins’ father, said: “We are extremely proud of our boys and Amy. Even just thinking of the name was a stroke of genius, and then the determination they’ve shown to push it forward has been tremendous.

In these tough times I think it is great to see the younger generation aren’t being put off entering business with all the doom and gloom.”

Boyd Hargreaves added: “Oswaldtwistle Mills thrives on developing an interesting mix of unusual retail offerings run by enthusiastic business owners. Inkthreadable’s offer certainly matches this criteria and I look forward to seeing how they develop.”

Oswaldtwistle Mills have over 100 retail concessions selling everything from arts and craft supplies to gadgets to furniture to locally produced foods, and everything in between. For more information go to http://o-mills.co.uk/Home or call 01254 871025.

ENDS

For more information contact Dean Gallagher at Slater on 01254 295580.

The new team of directors made the move when the previous owner retired to prevent a third party takeover, and have made significant personal investments in the deal.

LC Automation is a leading distributor of industrial products, offering a high level of technical expertise.

Malcolm Chadwick, Managing Director at LC Automation, said: “The buyout ensures the company remains in the hands of the people who know it best, and allows us to continue to expand and diversify the business.

“A strong industrial base is essential for the country’s economy, and LC Automation can be at the heart of cutting-edge technology, creating a new golden age for manufacturing in Lancashire and beyond.”

The industrial automation distributor helps clients to modernise and tailor their manufacturing processes with state-of-the-art technology. They supply the products, and offer technical support and safety training to maintain the highest standards possible.

Last year, LC Automation saw a 25% increase in turnover, as the company looked to supply growth industries.

The buyout takes the number of directors at the business from two to four. Peter Stott joined LC Automation 24 years ago as a trainee sales engineer. Phil Dowell came to the company is 1996 as company secretary, and is now Financial Director. Operations Director Paul Catherall was a YTS trainee when he was first employed by LC Automation 23 years ago.

“All our directors have worked their way up through the ranks, so they are dedicated to driving the business forward. The new structure will deliver excellent customer service and help our customers to improve efficiency by utilising the latest technology and expertise,” said Malcolm.

“Employees will have the opportunity to progress just as I, and the rest of the directors have, and their jobs will remain as secure as they were before the buyout.”

Accountancy firm Pierce and Forbes Solicitors acted on the deal, with NatWest providing the financial support.

Pauline Rigby of Forbes Solicitors said: “It was an absolute pleasure for Forbes to have the opportunity to work with the directors of LC Automation. It is an exciting time for the directors and we wish them all the success in their new venture.”

Tim Mills, senior manager at Pierce Corporate Finance, said: “This deal illustrates how long serving employees can work their way up through the company, see it grow and become its owners.

“The MBO team have some great ideas and a new impetus to move things forward, and I know they are all relishing the opportunities and challenges their new roles will bring.”

Sean O’Malley, Relationship Director at NatWest, said: “The new management team has considerable experience having worked in the business for over 20 years. They impressed us with their future plans for LC Automation and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

LC Automation stock products from 21 of the worlds leading suppliers of factory automation and safety products. They offer exceptional support and training programs to a vast range of industries. For more information telephone 01254 685900 or visit http://www.lcautomation.com.

Ends

For more information contact Dean Gallagher at Slater on 01254 295580.

The competition was launched last year to encourage entrepreneurs across the county to develop their community business ideas, from developing motivational resources for dyslexia sufferers to starting a commercial worm farm.

A dozen district winners, who each received £5,000 to help them kick-start their idea, now have the chance of receiving £20,000 to take their business to the next level.

Five leaders will judge which company has the greatest potential and announce the winner at a lunch on the 16^th November at the Woodlands Centre in Chorley. They are:

• Norman Tenray, Lancashire Business Person of the Year 2009 and Managing Director of OBAS UK Ltd, Lancashire Business of the Year 2010.
• Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Worthenshaws Ltd. Kirsty appeared on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den with her allergen-free frozen deserts, securing a £65,000 investment.
• Ged Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Lancashire County Council.
• Khalid Saifullah, Strategic Partnership Manager at Business Link North West.
• Sarah Bevan-Fischer, from Bevan Fischer Consulting and a champion for enterprise in the region.

Norman Tenray said: “I am incredibly excited to be part of the judging panel for the Give it a Go competition. It is rare to find such a focused and exciting initiative that will potentially make a significant difference to the community.

“Give it a Go may well be the inspirational catalyst to launch new ideas, vision, entrepreneurship and leadership which may have otherwise been overlooked. I am proud to be part of it.”

Each team has submitted supporting documents, detailing why their business is the most deserving of all the finalists to take the main award, which will be scrutinised by the judging panel.

Lancashire County Councillor Michael Green, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Lancashire is full of enterprising and innovative people. This campaign has successfully captured that enthusiasm and used it to create economic and social benefits across the county.

“From the time of the industrial revolution, Lancashire has buzzed with entrepreneurial spirit. That spirit continues – we have world-leading engineering and creative industries throughout the county.

“All these businesses began with an ambition, though; and that is what ‘Give it a Go: The £5k Challenge’ has helped to harness. Along with the drive and aspirational spirit of the competitors, we have seen the launch of some fantastic new start ups and we are keen to promote these.”

For further information on ‘Give It a Go: The 5k Challenge’ please visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/giveitago, call 01772 536801 or email giveitago@lancashire.gov.uk.

ENDS

For more information contact Dean Gallagher at Slater on 01254 295580.