However, the figures published in the latest SME Finance Monitor, a quarterly publication carried out by BDRC Continental since July 2011, indicate that awareness of the government scheme is actually on the rise, albeit slowly. In Q4 of 2012, just 24% of SMEs said they had heard of the scheme, which was launched by the Bank of England and the Treasury last year, offering cheap credit to banks on the condition that they improve their lending levels to businesses and home-owners. The monitor also shows that the number of SMEs using external finance dipped to 39% in Q1 of 2013, down from 50% in the same period last year, and its lowest level since the monitor began. The monitor is carried out on behalf of the Business Finance Round Table, made up of around 20 business, manufacturing and financial organisations. Each quarterly survey involves interviewing a cross-section of 5,000 businesses across various sectors and regions. Another key issue to be highlighted by the latest raft of interviews, which were carried out between January and March this year, was a contraction in the amount of SMEs using credit cards, loans and overdrafts. The use of these core banking products shrank to 32% from 40% year-on-year. Meanwhile, of those that had been declined a loan or overdraft only 9% and 15% respectively said they were made aware of the appeals process. Of the 19% interviewed that said they would like to apply for finance but were unlikely to, 63% cited the economic climate, up from 50% in Q4 of 2012, while 23% said it was the performance of their own business that was an issue. Phil Orford, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, said the decline in lending was no surprise. “But if this trend continues into Q2 and Q3, eyebrows may be raised with all the talk recently of recovery, not to mention the government’s ‘supercharging’ of the Funding for Lending scheme,” he added. “It seems likely that the banks are still licking their wounds, and that may be the case for some time to come yet, but this pattern of decline can’t continue if we are to have meaningful growth.” Orford said that it was highly likely that any recovery this summer would come largely from firms spending their own stockpiled cash, but he warned that this was not sustainable in the long term. Other figures show that 70% of all applications for new or renewed overdraft or loan facilities were successful, with overdraft applications more likely to be successful than those for loans. However smaller (up to nine employees) and younger SMEs or those with a poor credit rating, were less likely to successfully secure a...

The programmes, for the Europa League final in Amsterdam, FA Cup final at Wembley, and last weekend’s UEFA Champions League final also at Wembley, involved a total print run in excess of 150,000. Paginations varied from 80pp to 112pp, with covers featuring matt lamination, spot UV varnish and foil blocking. The text sections were printed on 130gsm Sappi Galerie Art, with covers on 250gsm Sappi Claro gloss. The paper was supplied by Antalis. Haymarket Network senior account manager Jane Grist said PCP had done “a brilliant job” during an intense production period for the customer publisher. Alex Evans, managing director at Telford-based PCP, added: “We were delighted to print these prestigious programmes for Haymarket who require the highest quality of print and production supported by a flexible and experienced customer service team. “I am proud that PCP continue to work closely with the Haymarket team and look forward to developing our excellent working relationship in the future on more exciting projects.” PCP’s setup includes three web presses: a 32pp Manroland Rotoman, 16pp Komori System 38 and 32pp Goss Universal, as well as a six-colour B1 sheetfed Mitsubishi UV press and 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 perfector....

The programmes, for the Europa League final in Amsterdam, FA Cup final at Wembley, and last weekend’s UEFA Champions League final also at Wembley, involved a total print run in excess of 150,000. Paginations varied from 80pp to 112pp, with covers featuring matt lamination, spot UV varnish and foil blocking. The text sections were printed on 130gsm Sappi Galerie Art, with covers on 250gsm Sappi Claro gloss. The paper was supplied by Antalis. Haymarket Network senior account manager Jane Grist said PCP had done “a brilliant job” during an intense production period for the customer publisher. Alex Evans, managing director at Telford-based PCP, added: “We were delighted to print these prestigious programmes for Haymarket who require the highest quality of print and production supported by a flexible and experienced customer service team. “I am proud that PCP continue to work closely with the Haymarket team and look forward to developing our excellent working relationship in the future on more exciting projects.” PCP’s setup includes three web presses: a 32pp Manroland Rotoman, 16pp Komori System 38 and 32pp Goss Universal, as well as a six-colour B1 sheetfed Mitsubishi UV press and 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 perfector....

According to the manufacturer, the revamped machines offer faster makereadies, are quicker to get back into production after a stop and reduce waste. Benson Group is to purchase two of the new units – one to be installed at its Bardon site in August and the other destined for its facility in Gateshead at the end of the year. The two new machines will join existing Expertcuts and replace other Bobst devices. Both sites specialise in the production of cartonboard packaging for food products. Benson managing director Mark Kerridge said: “Our existing Expertcut units have been performing extremely well.They are robust pieces of equipment that have proven very reliable and highly productive. “These latest additions, with the system enhancements that have been added by Bobst, will help to provide further post-press efficiencies.” Bobst business director Craig Moran said: “The modifications run throughout the machine, including new feeder technology, changes to the sheet transport system, faster makeready in the stripping and delivery sections and developments that reduce the wear, and consequently increase the life, of die-cutting tools.”...

Leeds City College and German counterparts visited the site of the Alf Cooke Printworks in Leeds, which is now being redeveloped into the college’s newest campus. The college has around 35 print apprentices studying for City & Guilds and NVQs. The visit is the latest in a series of activities, as part of the exchange, looking at the heritage and changing face of the print industry in the two European countries. The Printworks grade II-listed building has recently been restored as part of a £25m redevelopment to turn it into a campus this September for catering and other courses, but not print, which shifted practical elements to the apprentices’ workplaces around a year ago. Print tutor Darren Stallan said the building had been an industrial landmark in the city for more than 100 years and at one point housed the largest printing works in the world and was the biggest supplier of playing cards. “Collaboration between the colleges has allowed young people in the industry to improve their skills and try different processes outside of their workplace,” he said. “By observing working practices they can identify ways to help their companies be more efficient.” Apprentice Kane Slater, who works at Parkside Flexibles, enjoyed seeing a building with strong links to his family history: his grandfather used to work in the old building. Meanwhile the latest figures from the National Apprenticeship Service show that almost 370,000 apprenticeship applications across all sectors were submitted online between February and April this year. representing growth of over 32% against last year. Apprenticeship vacancies also saw “significant growth”. More than 32,600 vacancies were advertised online in the three months – up almost 15% on the previous year. On the 26 April 17,700 live vacancies were available online, the highest number recorded. Publishing, arts, media and information communication technology were the most competitive sectors to apply for, with over 17 applications per vacancy. Most popular careers are in business and administration, IT and software. Skills minister Matthew Hancock said: “With more vacancies than ever before, apprenticeships are fast becoming the norm for young people who want to achieve their career goals through an alternative route to University. “We want more employers to take advantage of the advice and support available from the National Apprenticeship Service and consider how hiring an apprentice could benefit their business.” Two new guides to hiring an apprentice can be obtained from apprenticeships.org.uk, a small and medium sized employers guide to hiring an apprentice and a large employer...