Flowtech buys out struggling rival Thorite to boost UK expansion August 27, 2024 Fluid power products supplier, Flowtech, has struck a £350,000 deal to acquire the struggling pneumatics and fluid products provider Thorite. The London-listed firm, which is headquartered in Flookburgh, Cumbria, said the acquisition would bring “significant benefits” including better operational efficiency, cost savings, and improved profit margins. It added that Thorite’s existing locations would help Flowtech [...]
Helium One snaps up stake in major US project as global expansion takes off August 27, 2024 London-listed helium explorer Helium One has acquired a significant stake in two major US projects as it continues its quest to expand its global footprint. The firm, which is the biggest helium explorer in Tanzania, has signed an agreement to acquire a 50 per cent stake in Blue Star Helium’s Galactica-Pegasus project in Colorado. Helium [...]
How to end the American choke-hold on British tech? Stop ‘acting like an incubator’ August 19, 2024 As tech companies flee London in droves, serial entrepreneur William Reeve—whose leadership credits include Lovefilm, a trailblazer in online movie streaming, and Zoopla, a leading real estate portal —has warned the City risks becoming nothing more than an incubator for the US unless it can shift its focus beyond short-term profit. Since 2019, at least [...]
Barratt pushed ahead with £2.5bn Redrow merger despite CMA concerns August 19, 2024 Housebuilders Barratt and Redrow have decided to push ahead with their £2.5bn merger despite issues raised by the competition regulator. The merger, announced by the companies in February, has been under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) due to concerns that it could significantly reduce competition. The two companies currently hold a large [...]
FTSE 250 giant JTC snaps up employer services firm in latest takeover deal August 19, 2024 FTSE 250 corporate solutions firm JTC has struck a deal to expand its employer services division with a new acquisition – the latest in a string of recent takeovers. The London-listed firm, headquartered in Jersey, revealed plans today to acquire the Buck UK and European Share Plan Administration and Trustee Businesses from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co [...]
BATM: London-listed Israeli tech firm’s revenue stagnant despite growing order book August 19, 2024 Israeli tech firm BATM Advanced Communications has seen its revenue remain flat despite “substantial growth” in its cyber division, according to newly-filed results. The London-listed firm, which has its headquarters in Hod Hasharon, saw its revenue hit $60m (£46m) in the first six months on 2024 – unchanged from the same period last year. BATM’s earnings [...]
Burberry shares plunge to a 14-year low, but what’s behind the collapse? August 16, 2024 Once a beacon of British heritage and craftsmanship, Burberry’s recent decline has been striking. Shoppers and investors seem to have fallen out of love with the retailer. Sales have plunged, and Burberry shares have fallen 70 per cent over the past year. Earlier this week, the stock touched a 14-year low before rebounding. While the [...]
Strict advertising rules are pushing formula milk prices to record highs, CMA finds August 16, 2024 Strict advertising rules around infant formula milk are leading to “historically high” prices for UK parents, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said today. The watchdog said its investigation into formula prices had found that current regulations, which heavily limit how brands can advertise their products, were hindering price competition. It said that since price [...]
Unilever triples spend on video game ads to target younger audience August 15, 2024 Consumer goods giant Unilever is betting big on gaming to help it advertise to elusive younger audiences. The company, which owns a host of household name brands including Lynx and Dove, has poured money into its in-game advertising department over the past three years, tripling its spend since 2021. It now has a team of [...]
Harley-Davidson: Iconic motorbike brand riding high as profit surges despite sales slump August 15, 2024 The UK arm of the iconic motorbike brand Harley-Davidson has seen its profit surge despite a dip in revenue, thanks to a reduction in its production costs, according to newly-filed documents. The US brand, which runs its UK division from its headquarters in Oxfordshire, saw its pre-tax profit soar to €31m (£26m) in 2023, up [...]