The document discusses various businesses and economic development initiatives in Rotherham, UK. It highlights a Rotherham company that designed the hydraulic leg jacking system for a new Antarctic research station. It also mentions several local businesses that have won awards or expanded their operations, and discusses projects to support entrepreneurship and the local economy in Rotherham.

1. www.rothbiz.co.uk Rotherham Business News October 2008 www.rothbiz.co.uk

2. Researchers at the British Antarctic Survey will be thanking Rotherham designers as they carry out research in some of the harshest conditions on earth. Rotherham designers out in the cold www.rothbiz.co.uk

3. M G Bennett and Associates Ltd were responsible for the detailed design of the hydraulic leg jacking system for the new Antarctic research station, Halley VI. The legs have been designed to resist the harsh Antarctic environment including temperatures as low as –50°C, as well as the high structural and wind loads that they will experience. Rotherham designers out in the cold www.rothbiz.co.uk

4. Movers and shakers in the business world have had a preview of one of the UK’s most unusual business centres. People from the legal, business, finance and other sectors were among the first to see inside the eco-friendly, green-roofed Fusion @ Magna, in Rotherham. Preview visit for Rotherham's new £5m business centre www.rothbiz.co.uk

5. "Rotherham is on the move," the Borough Council’s director of planning and regeneration, Paul Woodcock, told the visitors. "This is just one piece of a jigsaw that’s absolutely transformed this small area over the past year. "It means we and the start-up businesses are growing the local economy, with more jobs being created. But above all it means people who’ve dreamed of running their own businesses are making those dreams real." Preview visit for Rotherham's new £5m business centre www.rothbiz.co.uk

6. Katrina's Cards has scooped the title of Best Established Business at the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008. Former school teacher Katrina Robinson-Brown set up her wedding invitations and card-making business after she discovered no company could produce the bespoke design she wanted at her own wedding. Special day for Katrina's Cards www.rothbiz.co.uk

7. "I decided to do a bit of research into setting up a company and got loads of help from Rotherham Youth Enterprise who helped me move into a unit at Century Business Centre and gave me lots of great advice." Special day for Katrina's Cards www.rothbiz.co.uk

8. A new Rotherham company aims to help businesses beat the credit crunch – and at the same time carve out its own successful communications niche. Nigel Short and Kerry Goding have created Voot Mobile, to deliver cost-effective and efficient mobile phone and broadband solutions to businesses in Rotherham and across the country. High-tech business centre is new connection for digital phone company www.rothbiz.co.uk

9. Voot has recently moved in to the newly opened £5m Fusion @ Magna, at Templeborough, Rotherham. Nigel said: "Fusion @ Magna made a real connection with us. As a first office for a new start up business it provides everything you need. What attracted us was the whole package – fair rental rates, fully-managed centre facilities and, more importantly, expert business advice, which we know will be crucial during the next 12 months." High-tech business centre is new connection for digital phone company www.rothbiz.co.uk

10. The Innovation Technology Centre (ITC) located on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham has held a successful open day. The event attracted visitors from the business community across the region who were given the opportunity to view South Yorkshire’s only business incubator for manufacturing, engineering and materials technology companies. Successful open day at ITC www.rothbiz.co.uk

11. Ross Banerjee, Project and Incubation Director at the ITC, said: "We wanted to open our doors and give regional businesses the chance to come and have a look round the facilities and to see the excellent work that is being produced by our client companies. " Successful open day at ITC www.rothbiz.co.uk

12. Technology whiz-kid Andrew Parton, has won the Best Business Using IT/Technology category at the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008 for his company Flowed Ltd. Success Flowed for Rotherham IT start-up www.rothbiz.co.uk

13. The digital solutions business operates from RiDO’s Moorgate Crofts Business Centre. Andrew said: "This award is a rubber stamp for my company. It shows that other people think we’re doing a good job - and that we’re going in the right direction. It’s something to tell my clients about as well." Success Flowed for Rotherham IT start-up www.rothbiz.co.uk

14. A Japanese university professor has flown almost 6,000 miles to see the enterprise learning model developed by ground breaking project, Rotherham Ready. Naoki Wakabayashi, professor of organisational behavior at Kyoto University, visited Rotherham to learn more about how enterprise education is being delivered in the borough so he can apply it in Japan. Rotherham Ready - big in Japan www.rothbiz.co.uk

15. He said: "It is wonderful to see children so young sat here with businesses, talking together, negotiating and sharing ideas. "I see really good things in Rotherham and will be able to share this in Japan, and show what is possible. "You are starting children very young with enterprise, but it is much more than making money; children are learning the skills they need for the future – being creative, working together and solving problems." Rotherham Ready - big in Japan www.rothbiz.co.uk

16. Jamie Litchfield’s company Aquaforce Plumbing & Heating Ltd (APH Ltd) has been named the Business Most Determined to Succeed at the Rotherham Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008. Aquaforce already employs 15 people with industrial, commercial and domestic contracts all over the UK. Determined Rotherham entrepreneur scoops award www.rothbiz.co.uk

17. A Rotherham college student has been given a job at Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Fifteen, in London. Michael Poulton and fellow hospitality and catering students at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology assisted Oliver’s food team during the filming of Jamie's Ministry of Food over the summer. Jamie's Ministry of Food Rotherham leads to top job for catering student www.rothbiz.co.uk

18. Developers and key partners behind the £2bn regeneration Rotherham Renaissance programme are "desperately keen" to push ahead with their ambitious plans for transformation. Their positive take on the future of projects is in stark contrast to the global economic gloom. Rotherham’s future looks bright despite gloom www.rothbiz.co.uk

19. TCN UK’s Stephen Holme said: "What’s happening in Rotherham is exciting. Yes, we’re in this economic climate, and we’re not blasé about it, but we can’t change it except through our determination to press ahead with well-thought-out, soundly-funded, schemes. The opportunities the Rotherham programme offers are still viable and exciting and we are desperately keen to crack on with it." Rotherham’s future looks bright despite gloom www.rothbiz.co.uk

20. Metalysis, the spin-out company from Cambridge University based in Rotherham, has been highlighted in the recent 2008 Guardian/Library House CleanTech 100. As one of only eight companies in Europe to make the Industry category, the firm is right at the cutting edge of clean technology. Rotherham company at the cutting edge of clean technology www.rothbiz.co.uk

21. Rotherham’s Moorgate Crofts Business Centre has gained national recognition after it was praised in a new report published by the Landscape Institute on tackling climate change. The RiDO-run centre is cited as an outstanding example of how landscape architects are leading the way in adapting to, and mitigating the effects of, climate change. Moorgate Crofts was praised for its use of an unusual and advanced green roof. Rotherham business centre tackling climate change www.rothbiz.co.uk

22. HRH The Duke of York joined guests from the top flight of the world’s aerospace companies and suppliers at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Rotherham to open a £15 million state-of the-art Factory of the Future . Royal opening for Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future in Rotherham www.rothbiz.co.uk

23. During his visit, HRH The Duke of York said: "What an absolutely amazing place. "I would like to say thank you to the AMRC and to Boeing and Rolls-Royce for what they are doing because its through this facility and others like it that we can continue to grow in the manufacturing field and make things better, make things more technological and stay competitive with other parts of the world.” Royal opening for Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future in Rotherham www.rothbiz.co.uk

24. Rotherham entrepreneur, Dennis Afflick says companies can beat the crunch by making sure their staff have the right skills for the job. Dennis runs Parkhouse Services from Moorgate Crofts Business Centre, which specialises in providing independent advice on training to businesses across the UK. Training business aims to bridge skills shortage www.rothbiz.co.uk

25. The man behind Rotherham enterprise, Platinum 6, has been awarded a runner up prize at the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008. Former police officer Tom Jackson set up his luxurious, secure chauffeuring business Platinum 6 in March 2007 and since then has seen his exclusive empire grow from his home-office. Rotherham entrepreneur in the driving seat www.rothbiz.co.uk

26. A dedicated move into public sector contracts has paid dividends for Rotherham construction specialist, Horbury. The group has concluded contracts worth almost £25m on new hospitals, schools and other public sector developments in the UK, demonstrating a shrewd move away from residential contracts. Rotherham's Horbury Group secures £25m of deals www.rothbiz.co.uk

27. The group has worked on the £119 Manchester Civil Justice Centre and the £560m University Hospital Birmingham, Sheffield's £19m J1 & J2 Riverside, taken by the Home Office, the £50m Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough and the £65m Castle Hill Cancer Centre in Hull. Rotherham's Horbury Group secures £25m of deals www.rothbiz.co.uk

28. The team behind Rotherham based enterprise, Slap Holds, have been named as runners-up in the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008. Lucy Teagle’s company Slap Holds manufactures climbing holds for indoor climbing walls. Rotherham enterprise climbing to the top www.rothbiz.co.uk

29. Two Rotherham manufacturing companies have been highlighted in a report by the government on the future of UK manufacturing. The innovative approach by AESSEAL is highlighted along with the green growth of ITI Energy Limited. Rotherham offers new opportunities for UK manufacturing www.rothbiz.co.uk

30. RiDO has joined the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels (YABA) as an Associate Member on the recommendation of RiDO business advisor Graham Hales. Rotherham business advisors link up with angels www.rothbiz.co.uk

31. World-renowned rotation specialist Nick Cooper of Bennett Associates in Rotherham is the project patron and developer of the internationally patented rotation concepts that will turn the world's first turning "Timepiece" building. 55ºTime Dubai, is to break ground in the City of Arabia, Dubai with the official launch of the tower scheduled for January 2009. Turning Timepiece Building to break ground thanks to Rotherham specialist www.rothbiz.co.uk

32. As the government announces that they will develop an action plan to secure the UK’s place at the forefront of innovation, investment and quality in the digital and communications industries, the Digital Region project continues in South Yorkshire . A Digital Region at the forefront of Digital Britain www.rothbiz.co.uk

33. Digital Region is one of the largest public sector led broadband infrastructure initiatives in the world. It will cover Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham offering a population of 1.3 million citizens, 546,000 homes and 40,000 businesses potential broadband speeds of 50mbps. A Digital Region at the forefront of Digital Britain www.rothbiz.co.uk

34. Rotherham based housing specialists, Bramall Construction, part of the Keepmoat group, is celebrating after being named as one of the top 50 employers of women in the UK. The organisation has been listed in this year’s Top 50 places Where Women Want to Work league, published by The Times. Women hail Bramall Construction as one of the top places to work www.rothbiz.co.uk

35. Two of South Yorkshire's most successful enterprise funding organisations have joined forces to provide microloans to new start up and existing businesses in the region. SYIF and Donbac Ltd can provide new start up businesses or those trading for up to six months, with loans between £1,000 and £5,000. Businesses that have completed six months of trading are eligible for loans of up to £15,000. South Yorkshire businesses boosted by microloan partnership www.rothbiz.co.uk

36. Graphic designers Gavin Winder and Joshua Abbotts of Prototype Creative have been awarded the prestigious top prize in this year’s Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008. Prototype Creative win entrepreneur award www.rothbiz.co.uk

37. Prototype began in a small office at RiDO-run Century Business Centre at Manvers on a Youth Enterprise scheme. They now run their operation from the biggest office on the site and employ two staff. Gavin said: "Rotherham Youth Enterprise gave us a fantastic start in business life. The combined business knowledge of RiDO business advisers Martyn Benson and Darren McDool has been priceless. And we couldn’t have done it without our staff. " Prototype Creative win entrepreneur award www.rothbiz.co.uk

38. Solaglas Windowcare are celebrating success at the recent Rotherham Business Awards 2008. The Hellaby-based company received the Overall Award (sponsored by HSBC) and the Invest In Skills and Excellence In Business awards, and were runners-up in the Customer Service and Innovation In Business categories. Solaglas Windowcare are clear winners www.rothbiz.co.uk

39. Ian Davy, managing director at Solaglas Windowcare said: "Being named the best business in the region where the majority of our employees live is a great achievement and testament to their skills and commitment." Solaglas Windowcare are clear winners www.rothbiz.co.uk

40. Developing Performance Partnership Ltd (Develop-U), based in Rotherham, has received a £25,000 loan from South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF) to help them bring in more business and market their services more widely. Rotherham business moves forward thanks to local investment www.rothbiz.co.uk

41. Rotherham United Football Club has announced a campaign to bring the club and supporters back to their home town. The club has initiated "Drop Me Off in Rotherham" - an ongoing plan to unite the club, local businesses and the Rotherham community with the aim of RUFC rising from the ashes of administration and, within 4 seasons, playing in a brand new stadium in Rotherham. Drop me off in Rotherham www.rothbiz.co.uk

42. Visit www.rothbiz.co.uk for the latest news on businesses, commercial property, regeneration, key developments and the economy in Rotherham . www.rothbiz.co.uk