The ceremony was held to publicly acknowledge transfer of the operating businesses of Holroyd Precision Ltd, Precision Components Ltd, PTG Heavy Industries Ltd (Binns & Berry and Crawford Swift brands), PTG Advanced Developments Ltd, Milnrow Investments Ltd and PTG Deutschland GmbH, into CQME ownership.

Senior officials from the Chongqing government and CQME board members joined representatives from Rochdale Council, MIDAS and the Mayor of Rochdale at the ceremony. The Mayor gave his support and endorsement to this exciting new venture, which is destined to benefit the entire community, by securing jobs in the area and providing a boost to the local economy.

In China, CQME currently employs approximately 40,000 people and is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange with annual sales in excess of $1billion (USD). The company manufactures machinery and equipment for a wide range of industrial sectors, including power generation, commercial automotive, HV transformers and electricity distribution, machine tools and general machinery systems.

CQME’s strategy following this acquisition focuses on accelerating and upgrading the businesses to transform growth.

CQME said it has acquired PTG’s subsidiaries because it clearly recognises the strengths and advantages inherent in their market knowledge and technologies, which over the years has enabled them to become world-leaders in their own respective markets. The company also sees the opportunity to add value and complementary products to an already extensive product range by harnessing for example, the highly developed technologies of Holroyd Precision to enter new markets in the global precision gear manufacturing sector. Overall, CQME paid in excess of £20 million for the PTG businesses recoginsing that the acquistion will allow them to establish a firm and influential foothold on the international scene.

Here the new group said it will continue to invest and develop the technologies, intellectual property and ‘Know-How’ of the current UK businesses in order for them to compete more effectively with today’s major machine tool and component manufacturers in the design and supply of highly advanced and best cost products.

Significantly for the local workforce and local businesses, all existing manufacturing facilities, services and supply chains will continue to be maintained and developed by the new owners.

Hear the latest approaches and methods to drive your online success throughout the year. Techniques covered will include Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay Per Click Advertising, Link Building Strategies, Social Media Marketing, Digital Assets Optimisation.

A panel of business leaders will also be on hand to answer your questions including:

Andrew Leask, Co-founder of my247.com.aut – Australia’s largest publisher of online dining and entertainment guides, and the SeedTin.com project – a social network for Gardeners and Allotmenteers.

Paul Halliwell, Commercial Manager for The Urquhart Partnership, a Training, HR and Recruitment consultancy which has gained considerable success from using social media Mike Georgeson, Head of online marketing and social media at AutocareSupermarket.com and founder of Netdesk.co.uk which provides cost effective outsourcing of online marketing and social media.

Breakfast, tea and coffee included.

The Joe Clarke Integrated Transport Authority of the Year Award was presented to GMITA at The Palace Hotel in Manchester.

The award is aimed at recognising Integrated Transport Authorities which have demonstrated progress and improvement across a range of passenger transport policy areas.

GMITA Chair, Councillor Ian Macdonald, said: “We are honoured to have received this very prestigious award, which demonstrates our commitment to making Greater Manchester’s public transport network one of the best in the UK.

“2009 in particular was an exceptional year for the city region with GMITA and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) agreeing to create the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, which will transform our public transport network for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses alike.”

Councillor Keith Whitmore, GMITA Vice Chair, added: “We have worked hard in recent years to improve Greater Manchester’s bus, rail and Metrolink networks and, while there is still much more to be done, we are delighted that our achievements have been recognised.”

David Leather, GMPTE Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that we have received this award which recognises the commitment and achievements of all our staff.”

In addition to the GMITA award, Arthur Pinder, GMPTE Bus Station Supervisor at Bury Interchange, received a Highly Commended accreditation in the ‘Frontline Employee of the Year’ category of the National Transport Awards.

Hosted by radio and television presenter Grant Stott, the National Transport Awards 2010 drew over 500 transport professionals to the prestigious ceremony at The Palace Hotel in Manchester.

Source: GMPTE

Commercial Officers from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan will be visiting the Northwest region in September and will be on hand at this event to present their respective market opportunities and speak one to one with delegates about their specific business prospects. This is an excellent opportunity to find out about the benefits for your business in one or more of these countries.

Opening with presentations on each of the countries by the Commercial Officers, delegates will then have the opportunity to hold 20 minute, one-to-one meetings with the Commercial Officers listed below:

Australia – Jim Thompson
China – Kevin Liang
Hong Kong – Patrick Li
Japan – Hirokuni Miyamatsu
Korea – Sunjin Lee
Malaysia – Ade Adenan Ramdan
New Zealand – Paul Tuckley
Singapore – Teo Chong Kee
Sri Lanka – Sharini Daluwatte
Taiwan – Anne Lai

To book your place at this exciting event, please contact Miho Hatakeyama by email: events@uktinorthwest.co.uk. For further details please telephone: 0845 603 7053.

As always, the number of places will be restricted to 25 and allocated on a first come, first served, basis with no more than 2 members from each firm on the walk.

Speaker: Ken Moth, Architect
Ken has worked on more than 40 award winning projects including the Round Foundy, Leeds where an area of industrial heritage buildings were transformed into a thriving and architecturally outstanding district. He champions work in the conservation and adapative re-use of historic buildings through frequent publications and lectures.

A former Press Association news reporter, Manchester-born Chris joined the Manchester Evening News in 1998 as a business reporter.

Chris quickly made a name for himself in the business world, breaking the big stories before his competitors. His enviable contacts and nose for a scoop saw him promoted to deputy editor before becoming business editor in 2006.

From the Glazer takeover of Manchester United to Thomas Cook’s takeover of MyTravel, Chris has led the way on news stories as well as exclusive interviews with leading industry figures.

Chris moved to TheBusinessDesk.com as editor in 2008, where he has continued to grow his reputation as the region’s best-connected business reporter. It has also given him the opportunity to boost his digital and web journalism skills, ensuring he stays at the forefront of the changing face of media.

Within two years of launching, the news site claimed the How-Do industry award for media website of the year.

For the lowdown on how we will consume business news in the future and to find out why building relationships with the local media is so important, come and hear Chris share his tips for media success.

It’s that time of year again as future pro.manchester welcomes members to the highlight of the summer social calender.

This year we’re embracing the ’summer of sport’ theme and inviting members to Lancashire County Cricket Club – the home of test cricket.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network in the new £12 million development that will provide guests with an awesome view of the pitch and the Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Sussex Sharks!

Just a few tram stops away from Manchester City Centre there really is no excuse not to come along and let your hair down, sample delicious treats and enjoy summer drinks at one of Manchester’s finest sporting venues.

MIDAS, Manchester’s Investment and Development Agency, will host a Manchester Business Club Media Seminar in Singapore on Monday 26 July, looking at potential opportunities for collaboration in the media and digital industries between the cities.

Manchester and Singapore both have vibrant and rapidly growing creative sectors. Singapore is developing into a global media city through investment in film, TV, and new media, while Manchester is enjoying its position as the dominant creative hub in the UK outside the south-east with the arrival of the BBC at MediaCityUK.

The keynote speaker will be Kenneth Tan, COO and Director (Film, Animation and Publishing) at the Media Development Authority of Singapore. Andy Baker, CEO and Founder of Manchester-based MOFILM will also speak about the media community in Manchester. Baker is an early pioneer of downloadable music and made-for-mobile films.

The half-day seminar, at the Conrad Centennial hotel, is supported by the British High Commission and will be opened by Sarah Croft, Director, Trade, British High Commission.

Attendees will take part in a workshop consisting of presentations by speakers, interactive discussions, Q&A sessions and a networking lunch. This will be followed by a panel session. There will be a drinks reception, for attendees and Manchester Business Club members, in the evening.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director, Manchester Airport said: “With Singapore Airlines’ recent announcement to increase the existing Manchester to Singapore link to a daily service, it is great to see the media and digital communities of these two business destinations collaborating. The Business Clubs have already seen strong economic links forged between foreign companies and those based in the UK, which can also assist the development of our route network and further enhance the choice of flights from Manchester.”

Zoe Ensor, Director of External Relations, MIDAS said: “The Manchester Business Club Media Seminar in Singapore is an exciting collaboration between the media and digital industries in these great business cities. As with earlier events in New York and Kuala Lumpur, it’s set to be a high-level networking opportunity for like-minded businesses and an opportunity to build and strengthen ties between Manchester and Singapore.”

The Media Development Authority of Singapore recently oversaw a year-long trial of 3D television broadcasts in the region and earlier this month ad:tech Singapore 2010, Asia’s largest media and marketing event, culminated successfully with more than 1,500 professionals congregating in the city.

Chris Kearney commented, “Manchester offers many opportunities for global businesses such as ours. There is a strong and diverse skills base in the Greater Manchester area, as well as good international connections and a well-developed Shared Service Centre community. We are very impressed with the region and are looking forward to growing the SPX ESSC to support our operations in a part of the world that is becoming increasingly important to SPX.”

The Lord Mayor of Manchester Mark Hackett and senior SPX executives also assisted Mr. Kearney in the unveiling of a commemorative mosaic at the SPX ESSC designed by Mark Kennedy, a well-known Manchester artist.

SPX plans to have 100 staff by the end of this year. The centre is expected to provide jobs in the Greater Manchester area for around 200 people over the next three years. SPX’s global talent sourcing team has commenced a regional recruitment drive to attract the best people to grow the SPX ESSC.

Lisa Hooley, vice president of EMEA Shared Services for SPX, commented, “We are currently filling a wide range of job vacancies, from high level professional appointments, to project management positions and support functions. Since the SPX ESSC has been put in place to support SPX’s European businesses, a strong background in multiple languages will be a critical skill for many of our new recruits.”

The new centre represents an important international addition to the Manchester Shared Service Centre community, creating significant new job opportunities for the Greater Manchester area. SPX joins more than 1,500 foreign-owned companies that already have operations in the area

SPX selected Manchester as the location for its new ESSC after working with MIDAS, other partners and key agencies, such as the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA). “MIDAS and the NWDA in particular have been vital in facilitating the creation of our business in Manchester and they continue to be instrumental as we grow our centre,” Hooley added.

Source: SPX

NBSO is commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (NL EVD International) to support Dutch companies that are seeking trade opportunities in foreign markets.

NBSO worked with MIDAS when seeking to establish a base in Manchester and has benefited from ongoing support since arriving here in February. NBSO also refers Dutch companies looking to invest in Manchester to MIDAS, so that they can discuss opportunities in the City Region and the support on offer.

The successful applicant will provide support to Dutch companies that are seeking trade opportunities in the Leeds-Liverpool-Birmingham geographical triangle. The position is full-time and will involve working closely with the Chief Representative.

For more information, and to download a job description, please visit:
www.nbso-manchester.co.uk. The deadline for applications is Friday 23 July.