J Tomlinson completes £6 million training hub for Volvo Car UK

Volvo training hub built by J Tomlinson

The construction team at J Tomlinson Ltd has completed a brand new, state-of-the-art training hub for premium car brand Volvo Car UK.

The £6m project also included the creation of 154 extra parking spaces for the multinational vehicle manufacturing company, at its site in Daventry, Northamptonshire.

The original centre, which had been delivering training to Volvo employees since 1980, had comprised two medium-sized facilities. However, after 36 years – a period which has seen Volvo’s own brand evolution, as well as technological advancements and the continuous development of training techniques and methods - the company no longer considered its original facility to be in line with its considerable growth and objectives.

Following a collaborative working relationship with Volvo, J Tomlinson has now handed over the new Training and Development Centre, equipped with modernised facilities including remote video and web-based technologies, stylish training rooms and an electric car charging area.

J Tomlinson worked closely with the brand to ensure all finishes were implemented in line with the Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) – Volvo’s corporate identity that focuses on creating inspiring spaces that are ‘cool on the outside, warm on the inside’. Some elements of the VRE within the new building include large exterior and interior glazing (promoting the brand’s transparent and open nature), a cosy cake and refreshments area, and a vibrant lounge complete with Scandinavian-designed furniture, which seeks to aid relaxation for all staff and visitors.

Martin Gallagher, managing director (construction) for J Tomlinson, said: “We are very pleased to have handed over Volvo’s new Training and Development Centre - a project we thoroughly enjoyed working on.

“It has been a pleasure and an honour to work alongside a business with such passion, ambition and a shared drive to provide the best experience for its staff and customers.”

Jon Wakefield, Managing Director, Volvo Car UK, said: “I’m very proud of our new training facility, which represents a significant commitment to both our operations in Daventry and our retailer network throughout the country.

“The site is a fitting accompaniment to Volvo’s transformation into a true premium car brand that is a technological leader, as well as the big improvements we are introducing to the customer

experience.”

Volvo Car UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation. Headquartered in Maidenhead, it sells, services and maintains Volvo cars through a dedicated network of franchised dealers. Volvo has been present in the UK since 1956. 

Nottingham-based J Tomlinson, which operates primarily across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management. 

For more information, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

J Tomlinson starts work on Volvo’s new £4.3 million training hub

J Tomlinson starts work on new Volvo training hub

Work has got underway on site at a new £4.3 million training hub being built by J Tomlinson Ltd for Volvo Car UK.

The new Training and Development Centre in Daventry, Northamptonshire, will replace the existing training facility, which has been delivering technical, commercial and management training to Volvo dealer employees from across the UK since 1980.

Set to open in summer 2017, the new facility will feature remote video and web-based technologies, and will ensure the firm’s training experience matches the increasingly cutting-edge nature of its cars.

Nottingham-based construction company J Tomlinson has been appointed to build the 2,825 m² training hub.

Martin Gallagher, managing director (construction) for J Tomlinson, said: “Volvo is a name synonymous with quality and safety, and J Tomlinson is very proud to be constructing a new training and development centre for such a well-respected, globally known brand – helping the company to continue its position as an industry leader.

“This is the latest in a number of projects that we have been involved in for the sector. Last year, J Tomlinson completed work on a redevelopment of Coventry Transport Museum, while a £5.1 million project to build a new visitor centre and factory extension for Triumph Motorcycles in Hinckley, Leicestershire, is just about to finish.”

Working across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, J Tomlinson provides a range of integrated building solutions, including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management. 

David Baddeley, Volvo Car UK’s operations director, said: “This is a significant show of commitment from Volvo in its Daventry operations. Our new facility will provide the thousands of Volvo dealer employees across the country with the best possible environment to enhance their knowledge for years to come, and I am delighted that J Tomlinson has now begun work on the project.”

On completion, the site – which currently employs 32 people – will be purchased by Daventry District Council and leased back to Volvo Car UK.

For more information, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

Construction Leaders Club focuses on how to be a leader in times of uncertainty

A construction sector expert is warning that it’s crucial for small businesses in the industry to plan for the future as much as possible as the UK heads into uncharted waters following the Brexit referendum result.

Business growth consultant Terry O’Mahony says that the UK’s EU vote and the resultant political upheaval has created an uncertain future.

“When uncertainty goes up, confidence tends to go down, which can have a knock-on effect to the amount of work available in the sector or the level of work is maintained but prices suffer,” said Terry, who runs the East Midlands-based Construction Leaders Club.

“Companies often look at their cost base and cut their sales and marketing budgets and their training budget, but that means they may be less able to win work and have fewer people with the right skill set and capabilities to adapt to the change and cope with the work.

“We are heading into completely uncharted waters post-Brexit and it’s now more important than ever that the leaders at the top of companies have the wherewithal, foresight and vision to steer the management and develop the strategy necessary to guide their businesses through these uncertain times.”

The Construction Leaders Club, which was established in Nottingham three years ago by Terry as a networking and business growth organisation supporting businesses and individuals related to or associated with the UK construction industry, is running a Discovery Day which will focus on what it takes to be a leader in times of uncertainty.

The event, on Wednesday 7^th September at Risley Hall Hotel, near junction 25 of the M1 between Nottingham and Derby, will also look at strategy and marketing, and will shine a spotlight on the two upcoming programmes that the CLC is running from October, the CLC Mastermind for business owners and senior decision makers, and the CLC Rising Stars for high potential individuals who want to step up to the next level.

As well as running development programmes and workshops, the CLC also stages monthly networking events.  

CLC and its related business support services is the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded a Chartered Building Consultancy status - an accreditation granted as part of the Chartered Institute of Building’s Chartered Building Consultancy Scheme.  CLC can also award CPD credits for its networking events, workshops and programmes. 

For more details or to book on the Discovery Day, visit http://www.constructionleadersclub.com/ 

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

Courses to help East Midlands food and drink firms announced by The Food and Drink Forum

Business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum has announced its training courses for 2011.

The courses are designed to boost skills, encourage efficiency and increase profits, as well as promote the benefits of achieving external accreditation.

This year’s programme includes a new course on effective coaching to be run by The Forum’s recently appointed manufacturing innovation manager Mark Nicholson.

Mark and The Forum’s food technical manager Richard Wigley will also deliver training events that focus on food safety, becoming more efficient, and internal auditing.

The courses are open to all food and drink firms, as well as the Food and Drink Forum’s members who operate mainly in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, and who qualify for a discount on course fees.

“Investing in the training and development of employees is essential to the success of a business,” said Food and Drink Forum managing director Fiona Anderson. “The Food and Drink Forum has extensive expertise in delivering training courses for food and drink manufacturers, producers, caterers and others working in the sector, and this year’s programme has been designed to offer a selection of suitable courses. We can also run bespoke training courses, designed to meet the exact requirements of our clients.”

This year’s programme of courses will be delivered in the training suite at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, or at suitable external premises, and the programme incorporates courses accredited by major awarding body the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

On Thursday April 14th a one-day CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Catering is being held. Completing a food safety course is a legal requirement for all individuals working in a food or food-related business. This basic, entry level course has been put together to specifically address the food safety and hygiene needs of caterers and is the ideal way to ensure legal compliance for businesses.

On Wednesday May 11th, The Forum runs a half-day course on becoming lean, which is aimed at food and drink professionals interested in understanding the basic principles of lean manufacturing and how they can achieve more with less resource through the continuous elimination of waste.

A one-day course on internal auditing designed to meet the requirements of auditor training for certification standards such as the BRC Global Food Standards and SALSA takes place on Tuesday July 5th.

On Wednesday September 14th The Forum runs a half-day course on effective coaching, while on Tuesday October 4th a one-day CIEH level 2 Award in Food Safety for Manufacturing course takes place.

Based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, and operating across the East Midlands, The Food and Drink Forum is a membership organisation that is one of the region’s largest business support organisations, championing the food and drink sector in the East Midlands through a variety of different ways.

To find out more about the courses or The Food and Drink Forum, visit www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk or call 0115 9758810.

Nottingham PR consultant Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

The Food and Drink Forum unveils 2010 training programme

One of the East Midlands' largest business support organisations for food and drink firms has unveiled its 2010 programme of training events.

The Food and Drink Forum, which has been supporting companies in the sector across the region for almost 12 years, will be delivering a series of manufacturing and food technical training courses to help businesses raise the skills of their staff, increase their knowledge and boost efficiency.

The courses focus on food safety, lean manufacturing, project management, production planning, automation, internal auditing training and effective purchasing negotiation.

“At The Forum and Drink Forum, we believe that a well-trained, skilled workforce is an asset to any organisation,” said Food and Drink Forum operations manager Briony Clarke. “Equipping employees with the right expertise can vastly improve their confidence and motivation, and enable them to work more efficiently in their role. For a business, this can mean reduced staff turnover, increased productivity and ultimately a measurable impact on the bottom line.

“The Food and Drink Forum has been delivering high quality training to the food and drink sector for well over ten years now, and we hope that our latest training courses will prove valuable to firms across the region.”

The Food and Drink Forum offers support to firms in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

The training programme kicks off with a one-day Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Foundation Certificate in HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) course on February 24th, and is followed by a three-day RSPH Intermediate Award in HACCP for Food Manufacturing on April 13th, 20th and 27th. The first of the manufacturing courses Becoming Lean takes place on 22nd April.

More details are available on www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk or by calling 0115 9758810.

All courses take place at the Business Centre, Southglade Food Park, Nottingham.