Car Lovers Unite to Raise Money for Children's Cancer Charity

A Hillington Park based company is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for a children’s charity.

Ecotune specialises in performance and economy upgrades for cars and commercial vehicles and are hosting a Rolling Road day on Saturday, 16th February.

The event, which normally attracts around one hundred visitors, will allow car enthusiasts to run their car on the company’s dyno and receive a print out of the performance.

Ecotune normally charges £60 for this service but are offering car lovers the chance to rate their vehicle’s performance for a donation of just £30.

All money raised on the day will go to children’s cancer CLIC Sargent, the country’s leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families.

Laura Ward, Sales Manager, Ecotune said: “We hope to raise a lot of money for CLIC Sargent and hope people will come out in force to support this wonderful charity. Our rolling road days have proved to be successful in the past and each time we have more and more people come along. We are looking forward to welcoming car enthusiasts along on Saturday and hope that everyone has a good time.”

The rolling road day will run from 9am to 5pm on Saturday at Ecotune, 28 Dalziel Road. The business is putting on snacks and drinks for visitors and spectators will have the chance to experience Ecotune’s excellent facilities including an indoor seating area with LCD screens for results and windows into the dyno area.

Alison Clark, Marketing and Customer Manager said: “We hope many people come out on Saturday to support Ecotune’s rolling road day and raise money for such a worthwhile cause. This generous activity highlights the community spirit within Hillington Park.”

For more information on Ecotune visit www.ecotune-scotland.co.uk

Estate’s bonded store for imported wind turbines

One of the first open-air bonded storage facilities in Scotland has been created at the Hillington Park premises of the Gordon Leslie Group. But it’s not for the wines and spirits trade, although the logistics company also caters for that!

The new set-up outside the bonded warehouses off Penilee Road promises to increase the company’s turnover by around £500,000 each year. It will enable imported but as-yet-unsold wind turbine towers, blades and nacelles to be held in secure surroundings, to allow duties to be deferred until the final sale.

Managing director Craig Leslie explained: “We were approached back in March by Northern Power, an American enterprise, who were searching for a company to manage the import, storage and delivery of wind turbines from different parts of the world into the UK.

“After investigating what would be involved, we realised that we would have to apply to HM Revenue and Customs to establish an out-ofdoors bonded storage facility, which is very unusual, but we were successful.

“As a result, we have reached an agreement with Northern Power on a long-term relationship of at least three to five years. And, as well as simply storing these major pieces of engineering, we have also been contracted to manage the whole service, co-ordinating all freight movements, including loading and unloading, transportation and delivery to the final construction sites, wherever they might be in the UK.”

Already the Gordon Leslie bonded yard has more-or-less filled up with a couple of dozen of the huge tubular steel tower sections, each weighing up to 15 tonnes. These have been imported from China, while the generators and nacelles, and the rotating blades, have come in from Italy.

The company has invested in three large new flatback trailer vehicles to cope with onward transportation requirements, and have demolished a big old water tank as part of a plan to extend their secure yard to create space for more imports in the future.

“We’ve jumped through some considerable hoops for Northern Power,” said Craig Leslie. “And they seem happy with what we are doing for them. We have been rewarded with a much bigger and ongoing contract, as long as government policies continue to favour wind generating constructions.

“Most of these units are destined to be constructed on agricultural land around Scotland, where a single wind turbine would power most of the local farming needs, while a second would export to the grid to earn extra money for the farmer.”

The enterprising development at Hillington Park is stirring up quite a bit of interest from the Scottish Government – and in particular from local Renfrewshire North & West MSP Derek Mackay, the minister for local government and planning, who visited the Gordon Leslie Group site earlier this month.

Contact: Craig Leslie, 0141 883 9076.

Specialist Business Clinic Heads to Innovation Centre

Businesses wanting expert legal advice on commercial contract queries can make an appointment at a monthly Contract Clinic based in the Innovation Centre.

The service is designed to support companies to explore or clarify commercial contract queries which may include understanding a current contract issue or assess a dispute.

Located at Hillingon Park Innovation Centre, 1 Ainslie Road, the Contract Clinic is collaboration between University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and commercial contract specialists, Create Ts and Cs.

Following on from a previously successful project between the UWS and Law Wise, the University Law Clinic, the same team have come together with the Innovation Centre to deliver the clinic for free of charge to small businesses across Renfrewshire.

Dale McFadzean, Academic Director Law Wise Law clinic said: “This innovative collaboration between the University and Create Ts and Cs allows us to continue our quest in addressing the large amount of unmet legal need which exists within the business community across Renfrewshire. The Clinic team are very excited about continuing the relationship with Create Ts and Cs and welcoming a new partner with a similar ethos in Hillington Park Innovation Centre.”

Create Ts and Cs has successfully built a reputation providing small businesses with bespoke commercial contracts.

David Reilly, Director at Create Ts and Cs added: “Our goal is to simply assist businesses avoid unnecessary business disputes. We provide our customers with commercial contracts relevant to their business sector and their business operations while assisting them with integrating the contract into their sales processes. This is a great opportunity for us to continue to work with a progressive University, who shares our view.”

Roz Bird, Head of Business Development, MEPC said: “Hillington Park Innovation Centre prides itself on being one of the leading innovation centres in the country providing a mix of on-site support alongside modern and technologically advanced offices. The introduction of the Contract Clinic demonstrates the Innovation Centre’s commitment to delivering services that meet the needs of local businesses.

“With Business Gateway Renfrewshire moving into the Innovation Centre towards the end of last year Hillington Park is now one of the best locations for small businesses to grow, succeed and belong.”

To book a timeslot between 1pm and 4pm on Friday, 25th January contact contractclinic@createtsandcs.com

Join the party as Hillington Park gets set to celebrate 75 years

MEPC are teaming up with Hillington Park’s social committee to organise a host of events to celebrate the Park’s 75th anniversary this year.

One event which is in the early stages of planning is a Family Spring Fete. This will be held at the Park on Sunday 28th April and the social committee is hoping YOU will get involved.

The committee is looking for people and businesses on the Park to take part and perhaps provide catering, stalls and family activities.

Your staff may have hidden baking or jewellery making talents and want to show them off. Or perhaps you are more interested in sport and want to organise a ‘Beat the Goalie’ competition. However you want to take part, the social committee would love to hear from you.

The Hillington Park Social Committee was set up by MEPC in late 2012 with a view to fostering the community spirit at Hillington Park.

Look out for opportunities to get involved: whether you are sporty or interested in crafts, nature or outings, we will be setting up a number of initiatives during 2013 including extended classes at the Hillington Park gym, a potential sporting challenge involving a range of activities, Yoga classes and beekeeping lessons.

And for the first time, we will be holding a Bike Week in May. Details on this to follow.

If you would like to get involved in any of the above, join the social committee at one of its meetings or merely express an interest in going along to the fete please contact Alison Clark on aclark@mepc.com or on 0141 883 5760.

Estate’s bonded store for imported wind turbines

One of the first open-air bonded storage facilities in Scotland has been created at the Hillington Park premises of the Gordon Leslie Group. But it’s not for the wines and spirits trade, although the logistics company also caters for that!

The new set-up outside the bonded warehouses off Penilee Road promises to increase the company’s turnover by around £500,000 each year. It will enable imported but as-yet-unsold wind turbine towers, blades and nacelles to be held in secure surroundings, to allow duties to be deferred until the final sale.

Managing director Craig Leslie explained: “We were approached back in March by Northern Power, an American enterprise, who were searching for a company to manage the import, storage and delivery of wind turbines from different parts of the world into the UK.

“After investigating what would be involved, we realised that we would have to apply to HM Revenue and Customs to establish an out-ofdoors bonded storage facility, which is very unusual, but we were successful.

“As a result, we have reached an agreement with Northern Power on a long-term relationship of at least three to five years. And, as well as simply storing these major pieces of engineering, we have also been contracted to manage the whole service, co-ordinating all freight movements, including loading and unloading, transportation and delivery to the final construction sites, wherever they might be in the UK.”

Already the Gordon Leslie bonded yard has more-or-less filled up with a couple of dozen of the huge tubular steel tower sections, each weighing up to 15 tonnes. These have been imported from China, while the generators and nacelles, and the rotating blades, have come in from Italy.

The company has invested in three large new flatback trailer vehicles to cope with onward transportation requirements, and have demolished a big old water tank as part of a plan to extend their secure yard to create space for more imports in the future.

“We’ve jumped through some considerable hoops for Northern Power,” said Craig Leslie. “And they seem happy with what we are doing for them. We have been rewarded with a much bigger and ongoing contract, as long as government policies continue to favour wind generating constructions.

“Most of these units are destined to be constructed on agricultural land around Scotland, where a single wind turbine would power most of the local farming needs, while a second would export to the grid to earn extra money for the farmer.”

The enterprising development at Hillington Park is stirring up quite a bit of interest from the Scottish Government – and in particular from local Renfrewshire North & West MSP Derek Mackay, the minister for local government and planning, who visited the Gordon Leslie Group site earlier this month.

Contact: Craig Leslie, 0141 883 9076.

New Laundry Business is Cleaning Up

A new laundrette in Hillington Park set up by a young entrepreneur is already proving a hit.

LaundryLand, located in the Retail Centre is run by Raheel Naeem, 26, a recent graduate from Glasgow University.

His father owns the Hillington Park post office so while being self-employed is something he knows about, LaundryLand is his first independent venture.

The laundry does not offer self-service facilities but instead guarantees a quick turnaround so that workers on the Park can drop off their items and pick them up at a convenient time – meaning they can go to work knowing their laundry is being done.

Raheel said "This is my first attempt at starting my own new business and it is proving challenging and very enjoyable. I have had a lot of support from people and businesses in Hillington Park who are keen to see me succeed in this venture. I hope LaundryLand becomes popular within the working community at Hillington Park, and I'm very happy with the way the business has progressed so far."

“We are delighted that Raheel has chosen Hillington Park for his first business venture,” says Roddy Proudfoot, Leasing Manager at Hillington Park. “This is the first laundry based on the Park and adds to the list of amenities that we offer. At MEPC we are committed to developing and expanding the amenity offering around the Park and LaundryLand is just another business helping us do that.”

To find out more about LaundryLand contact Raheel on 0141 882 5909 or email him on raheel.naeem@laundry-land.co.uk

Expansion Announced at Popular Hillington Park Business Cantre

A popular business centre based at Hillington Park has completed an expansion by adding 18 new offices to its top floor.

Merlin Business Centre, located in the west of Scotland’s largest business park, is already home to 30 small businesses.

Two of the offices have already been snapped up by companies Etellect and Koopman International.

The recently refurbished third floor has been converted into individual suites with a shared kitchen and an informal networking space.

The offices are a welcome addition to Merlin Business Centre which is one of the most sought after locations within Hillington Park due to its prominent position and easy access to the M8 motorway.

The new suites range in size from 205 sq ft to accommodate two to three people, to a larger 786 sq ft which can be used for up to eight people.

“We felt this was the perfect opportunity to expand Merlin Business Centre to meet demand at this location,” says Alison Clark, MEPC Marketing and Customer Manager. “All eighteen offices in the fully managed business centre provide small companies with the platform to grow their businesses and, with the environment generated at Merlin with other businesses, there is a real feeling of belonging. These new suites will further enhance Merlin Business Centre and Hillington Park overall as a perfect location for ambitious businesses.”

Etellect has a long association with Hillington Park; the company has moved several times within Hillington Park as the company has expanded and developed. Now, going through another period of growth, the specialist eCommerce and eBusiness consultancy has taken up residence in one of Merlin’s new offices.

The company offers clients a comprehensive and tailored eBusiness consultancy service and suggests how their business can become more profitable by embracing technology.

Julia Lavelle, Director at Etellect said: “Etellect have enjoyed a long relationship with Hillington Park and our move to Merlin Business Centre allows us to enjoy all the benefits of a serviced office at a price that is affordable to our business. With clients all across central Scotland the access to the motorway and good public transport links are essential and allows us to be as accessible as possible to our clients. MEPC have been very accommodating with our requirements and have made this move as pain free as possible.”

Koopman International B.V is the largest importer and distributor of non-food goods in Europe. The Dutch, family run company has been established since 1937 and its Scottish base has relocated to the Merlin Business Centre as it provides them easy access to both the motorway and airport.

Sean Campbell of Koopman said: “Our business model is to take prospective UK buyers across to our showroom in Amsterdam to show them the full ranges of our items, and so we have to fly over every other week. Being based in Merlin Business Centre is perfect for us as it’s not only close to the motorway for when we have to drive to England, but also it’s merely minutes away from the airport. Our office is fully managed also which is a huge benefit and the view is a nice bonus.”

As Scotland’s largest and most established business park, Hillington Park is a safe, well maintained environment with two train stations, two minutes from the motorway and two miles from Glasgow’s International Airport. The on-site Park service team has the flexibility to meet all workspace requirements and are committed to creating long-term relationships where a business can grow, succeed and belong.

In 2011 the Park won a ‘Biodiversity Benchmark’ from the Wildlife Trusts, becoming the first business park in Britain to be recognised for the quality of its environmental management.

MEPC manages some of the UK’s best known commercial property. With a £1bn portfolio, it is a leader in its field with eight Business Estates in prime locations throughout the UK. Together it provides over 10m sq. ft. of high quality space for more than 1,000 organisations, employing 20,000 people. Offices To Let Glasgow