St Austell Brewery has signed a new 10-year deal with fellow Westcountry drinks brand, Thatchers Cider. The two companies have been working in close partnership since 2002. As part of the new, long-term strategic deal, St Austell Brewery will stock Thatchers cider in its managed pubs, from the Isles of Scilly to Bath. Thatchers will also continue to be a key drinks partner for publicans across the company’s 122-strong leased and tenanted estate. As the South West’s leading wholesale drinks distributor, Thatchers brands are also widely available to St Austell Brewery’s 3,000+ free trade customers across the region. Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive, St Austell Brewery said: “We’re delighted be continuing our longstanding partnership with Thatchers by signing this new 10-year deal. It’s a fellow family-owned drinks company, which shares many of our values." “Working collaboratively with other businesses in our region, and building strong long-term relationships, is something which has always been important to us. It’s fantastic to continue supporting one another by growing Thatchers’ Westcountry distribution whilst bolstering our drinks portfolio and cider offer for pub guests and wholesale customers.” Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker, said: “Working in partnership with St Austell Brewery just makes sense; we share our values, roots and commitment to giving customers a great experience. This 10-year deal, which may seem short in comparison to the combined 292 years of family expertise our companies have, is a testament to our shared commitment to collaboration and sustainability. We look forward to raising a glass in a St Austell pub to celebrate!” Thatcher’s cider has been made on Myrtle Farm in Somerset since 1904. A family business just like St Austell Brewery, they’re on their fourth generation dedicated to its craft with a fifth already learning the craft. St Austell Brewery was founded by Walter Hicks in 1851. It remains an independent, family-owned business 172 years later. The company’s range of award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide. The business owns over 160 pubs, inns, and hotels across the West Country - including managed houses and leased and tenanted sites. It also operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley, near Bath.

Chris Harris admitted it was the most “insane” two minutes of his life after getting a race win for his team…just seconds after jumping out of his van! The three-times British Champion was caught in a FOUR-HOUR traffic jam on the M6 as he travelled from his home in Rugby to Glasgow’s home circuit at Ashfield Stadium. He is scheduled to take part in the opening race for his Tigers team and roared into the stadium as the riders were almost ready for Heat 1 on Friday night. Harris, 41, jumped out the back of his van in his racesuit and helmet on, got on a borrowed bike and went straight onto the track. He then passed both opposition riders from the Edinburgh Monarchs to win a maximum race win with team-mate James Pearson! The video of his remarkable exploits has gone viral on social media with over ONE MILLION views. Harris, nicknamed ‘Bomber’, admitted: “I think that was the most insane two minutes of my life. Someone told me that when I crossed the finish line to get a 5-1 with James Pearson, I had only been in the stadium for 120 seconds!" “It had come after the most stressful afternoon of my life, that’s for sure. I left home at 10.30am but we got stuck on the motorway. Suddenly as time went on we realised time was running out. We did two miles in three hours on the M6. I had to be in Glasgow for 7.30pm at latest for the first race. The sat nav was then saying arrival in Glasgow for 8pm." “However we thankfully got clear of the traffic and the estimated time came down. I told the team boss Cami Brown and he said we’d try to go for it and get me in Heat 1. I got changed in the van, I was sitting in my racesuit and helmet ready for the last few miles!" “My team-mate Steve Worrall had his bike ready for me to jump on. We arrived just about 7.45pm, I got out the back of the van, on his machine, and then managed to get past the Edinburgh boys to join James for a 5-1." “To get a race win like that on a borrowed bike I’m not used to was quite special. I’d like to thank Steve for being so helpful. To be honest, it was a really horrible feeling. I was thinking I was going to let my team and fans down and miss the meeting. I hate being late as it is, I’d rather be five hours early. So I was just relieved in the end.” After all the drama, the meeting was eventually RAINED-OFF after six heats following a torrential downpour of rain. The result doesn’t stand and the meeting will need to be re-staged. So the remarkable race against time by Harris didn’t even count in the end! He added: “That was just typical I guess. Next time I might even leave home even earlier just in case!”

Small and medium UK businesses are being held back by a reluctance to adopt new technologies, experts have warned. Experts from TelephoneSystems.Cloud have warned that the future of many SMEs is at risk after recent technological changes across the wider business sector. They warn that thousands of small and medium sized UK businesses are struggling to adapt to these changes with many finding their businesses are struggling as a result. Now the experts are encouraging SMEs to come to terms with their technophobia and to adopt new innovations such as cloud and VOIP technologies. Those failing to evolve with the digital landscape are losing out on valuable business because of their fear of change and reliance on outdated systems. Communications experts say that fear of new technology is still deeply rooted in many leaders who are deterred by a lack of in-house tech knowledge and resistance to intimidating change. Juliet Moran, from TelephoneSystems.Cloud said: “Technology may seem scary, but decisions should never be based on what leaders are comfortable with. Rather, the decision to change should be based on what will most benefit a company, aka the effectiveness of a system for operations, efficiency, and profitability." “The business owners that have seen earlier technological opportunities have had the advantage of accessible and streamlined systems and are now taking huge strides." “It can be used for many benefits, including expanding customer base, improving internal and external services, minimising admin, optimising markets, and streamlining communication threads." “There was once a time when people only shopped on the high street and watched films on video cassettes, but with time these industries have transformed, and the companies that didn’t adapt and embrace the change were left behind." “This will be the case for SMEs failing to keep up because new technology has been proven to revolutionise business operations." “Being on the wrong side of the digital divide will only continue to have negative implications for businesses as success continues to balance on their ability to modernise.” Whilst over 50% of SMEs have accelerated their digital transformation in recent years, those failing to adapt are now falling behind. Research has revealed that 48% of SME leaders still lack a clear tech investment strategy. The success of markets like cloud computing in recent years has demonstrated that technology can be used within businesses to reduce costs while improving overall efficiency and productivity. The public cloud computing market is estimated to reach over £533 billion in 2024, as more businesses realise these technologies make work easier and more cost-effective, not harder, and more expensive. In spite of this, there are still myths within traditional workplaces that concepts like “cloud computing” are too complex, and they’d rather stick to what they know best. Fear of change and a lack of technical knowledge is now incredibly destructive for a business. Without innovating with technology, UK businesses will fall behind. Finding technology partners that can help assist with the continual change can be really helpful for the SME business. It is important to understand that today, nothing is static with technology. Businesses need to embrace the idea of continual change and innovation, overcome fear, and build it into their way of working.

An entrepreneur who became a mother at 16 and has overcome major financial and domestic hurdles is now head of a multi-million pound company. Hampshire’s Charisse Smith launched CMe Media in 2014 and is poised to celebrate its 10th anniversary. She appointed her mother Belinda as Financial Director in 2015 and recently hired her eldest child Jack as Business Development Manager. Located at the Fareham Innovation Centre, CMe has grown to a team of 18 and boasts clients who are local, regional and national. The company specialises in media buying and providing creative, digital and complete marketing support. While the brand CMe is almost 10 years old, the new business CMe Automotive has just celebrated its first birthday. Charisse, 41, a mother of three, is optimistic about the company's expansion in the coming year, with plans to grow her team. She said: “A decade ago, I faced some of the toughest personal challenges and struggled from the impact of the 2008 financial crisis when I lost everything I had worked for." “By then I had a second child so the level of responsibility increased and survival mode kicked in. I needed to provide financial security for my two children forever. It was then I launched CMe Media from my dining room table and regularly worked through the night to get things off the ground." “As we approached our fifth year I was pregnant again and chasing a large contract and on the way home from an important boardroom meeting had my third child who was premature. It led to a month of juggling business and being a mum from the neo-natal intensive care unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth." “I watched the lines on my daughter’s life support machine move up and down for a painful touch-and-go 41 days. Just as I thought I could start to think about reducing my hours and adjust to looking after her whilst she remained wired up to oxygen, we were faced with the Covid-19 bombshell." “CMe suffered a dramatic loss of £500,000 in billings in five days and we were owed hundreds of thousands of pounds that businesses were unsure if they could pay." “This was one of the biggest tests of my mental health and strength in my life but working with clients and partners we came through it, diversified and created a new future.” Charisse puts her journey from a 16-year-old mum to a successful business owner down to ‘a need to survive’. She added: “After having my first child I started work at a scuba diving magazine selling advertising - I rollerbladed to work. I then broke into the automotive advertising sector working for Wave 105." “I had great managers there and they taught me a lot which I’ve relied on to grow CMe into what it is today. We have had a decade of success despite Covid and my aim is to continue to grow the company and the team.”

More business leaders are prioritising sales of parts of their portfolio this year, indicating that the dealmaking market is likely to rebound after a quieter 2023 – according to research from Deloitte. Findings from Deloitte’s global bi-annual divestitures survey show that 60% of business leaders are assessing their willingness and readiness to sell by undertaking strategic reviews of their portfolios at least twice a year. This is an increase from 54% two years ago. When asked about their expectations over the next 12-18 months, 79% of those surveyed said that they expect to consider at least three divestments. The level of expected activity has almost doubled from the same point in 2022, when the outlook was decidedly gloomier, with only 41% of business leaders expecting the same level of activity in the year ahead. Fewer than 2% had no intention of selling any parts of their business. Almost 65% of leaders said that they had received a higher-than-expected price for assets in their most recent divestiture; a jump from 41% two years ago. Although optimistic, caution should be urged, with 98% of respondents reporting that they had abandoned a sale in the last 12-18 months. The top reason was a change to internal strategy (37%), but external factors such as a lack of buyer interest (35%), changes in the competitive environment (34%), and regulatory challenges (33%) were also factors. Reasons for further future sales differ amongst business leaders. 40% have concerns about the regulatory environment and tax regime in which they operate, 39% anticipate a change in market conditions, 35% cite a business no longer being part of their core business, and 35% will look to divest due to activist shareholders. Jason Caulfield, Partner and Deloitte’s UK head of divestitures, said: “Our survey shows that companies are expecting to make more divestments in the next 12 to 18 months. Many businesses haven’t divested for some time and are in the process of readying themselves to do so. With anticipated interest rate reductions, opportunistic buyers will be waiting in the wings and those who can move now will do so to snap up good deals before valuation expectations reset." “Given continued cost pressures and economic and political uncertainty across a number of markets, businesses should expect more scrutiny from prospective buyers than in recent years. Almost all survey respondents have reported an abandoned divestiture in the last 12-18 months, which shows that, even when there is both sell-side and buy-side appetite, parties will be prepared to take the tough decision to walk away from deals." “To make the most of the divestment opportunities that will emerge from improving market conditions, businesses should review their portfolios now to identify potential divestments and prepare a robust value story that can stand up to heightened scrutiny by potential buyers.”

Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust is proud to provide a donation of £1,000 to Glasgow Rugby League, a volunteer-led community rugby league club with a strong commitment to inclusivity and development. This funding is earmarked specifically for the training and development of the club's Wheelchair Rugby League team, supporting their growth and enhancing their capabilities with new equipment and playing strips. Glasgow Rugby League stands out for its comprehensive approach to the sport, supporting men’s 'Standard' and 'Wheelchair' clubs, with plans to launch 'Underage', and 'Women’s' teams—the latter two being unique initiatives in Scotland. With high operational costs for their facilities, this grant comes at a crucial time, enabling the club to not only maintain its operations but also to host events that promote the sport among young players and support charitable causes. Kris Hendrie, Men's Head Coach at Glasgow Rugby League, expressed his gratitude, stating, "We at Glasgow Rugby League are so grateful for the support from Allied Vehicles. These funds will greatly assist our current setup and significantly boost the wheelchair team in a critical development year. With this grant, we can purchase essential equipment and playing strips for the squad. We are very grateful once again for the support from the team at Allied Vehicles." The contribution from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust underscores the Trust's dedication to fostering inclusivity and participation in society for those with disabilities. By supporting Glasgow Rugby League, the Trust aims to encourage more people, regardless of ability, to engage in and enjoy the camaraderie and benefits of sporting activities. David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the company's core values, saying, "Supporting the Glasgow Rugby League’s wheelchair team, resonates deeply with us at Allied Vehicles." “A huge part of our business is manufacturing wheelchair accessible vehicles which make a real difference to people’s lives, and this donation continues to show our commitment to promoting accessibility and inclusivity in all areas of life, including sports. We're proud to support the development of wheelchair rugby in Glasgow and look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the team and the community.”

Two breweries have teamed up to make a ‘supercharged’ version of one of St Austell Brewery’s most famous beers – Proper Job. Sauvin so Good was an idea brewed up by Mark Tranter of Burning Sky Brewery and Georgina Young, brewing director at St Austell Brewery. The pair got chatting about a collaboration at a beer event last year, with Mark heading down to Cornwall from East Sussex to bring the beer to life as part of St Austell Brewery’s Cask Club series. Having thrown a few ideas around about beer styles, they settled on brewing a punchier, super-hoppy version of Proper Job, thanks to Mark’s love of the flagship IPA. Georgina said: “I did think we might be brewing a funky cask sour, but Mark’s admiration for Proper Job ended up being the inspiration for this beer. We have experimented with the classic recipe though. “We have brewed the version of the beer we do for bottle and can and then pepped it up with some Nelson Sauvin, Motueka and lashings of more Chinook. If you love extremely hoppy beers, this is one for you.” “I’m a huge Burning Sky fan. I enjoy Arise and Aurora to name but a few of their cracking beers. It’s exciting to be collaborating with them for our Cask Club series.” Sauvin so Good, a 5.5% ABV New Zealand IPA will have big, punchy tropical fruit flavours including lychees and grapefruit. Burning Sky brewery in East Sussex was a dream made reality by head brewer, Mark, who has a love of punchy hop-forward pale ales and the Belgian beer tradition. Mark said: “Knowing my fondness for Proper Job, George shared a few bits of the recipe with me, and we were both keen to brew a slant on it using New Zealand hops, which we both love. We also used malted spelt, which we use a lot at Burning Sky, and a proper big dry hop." “Having a day at St Austell Brewery was great. Being able to see around the whole brewery and how it was modernised to meet with new marketplace demands was a real treat.” St Austell Brewery’s Cask Club sees a variety of experimental beers brewed in its small batch brewery each year, giving brewers the freedom to innovate. As a result, an exciting programme of limited-edition beers in cask are available in select pubs and its Visitor Centre.

The UKs leading supplier of winter maintenance vehicles, Econ Engineering, has backed the findings of a major national survey which calls for greater funding to be made available for the rescue and repair of Britain’s crumbling roads. Commissioned by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), this year’s ALARM (Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance) survey highlights the scale of the challenges faced by local authority highway teams as they deal with fundings cuts and freezes. More than 70% of of local authority highway departments in England (including London) and Wales took part in the independent survey, which is used by stakeholders across the sector for tracking, benchmarking and planning purposes. ALARM 2024 data shows that more than half the local road network is reported as having 15 years or less of structural life remaining, and that £16.3 billion is now needed to tackle the backlog of carriageway repairs in England and Wales – the highest figure in 29 years of reporting. Key highlights from the survey report, include: 2m potholes filled – one every 16 seconds. 107,000 miles of local roads with less than 15 years’ structural life remaining. 47% of local roads in good structural condition. A one-time catch-up would take 10 years to complete, costing £16.3bn. The average carriageway budget shortfall per authority is £7.2m. 45% of authorities reported a budget freeze or cut. Last October, the Government announced that £8.3 billion of additional highways maintenance funding would be provided over the next ten years for local road resurfacing and wider maintenance activity on the local highway network. This consists of: £3.3 billion for local authorities in the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber; £2.2 billion for the West Midlands and East Midlands; and £2.8 billion for the East of England, South East, South West and London. With an 85% share of the winter highways maintenance market, Yorkshire-based Econ provides the vehicles that councils need to ensure our nation’s roads remain open and operational all year round. Compatible with a wide range of chassis cabs from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), each Econ vehicle is a tailored combination of chassis, body and features to suit specific maintenance vehicle needs – including the state-of-the-art QCB (Quick Change Body) which enables Econ vehicles to switch easily between a gritter, caged body or a hot box. In a week which also sees the world’s leading highways associations mark International Road Maintenance Day – an awareness day created to focus attention on the protection of our local road networks – Econ has thrown its support behind the ALARM report calling for urgent action to be taken. Econ Sales Manager, Steve Sinnott, comments: “The statistics highlighted in the recent ALARM survey show an urgent need for investment to catch up with the backlog of maintenance on the nation’s road networks." “Councils need to capitalise on the increased funding and make greater investment in equipment and labour to ensure the public can see the improvements in the highways. While this extra funding is welcomed, it is clear from this report that more needs to be done to give cash-strapped local councils up and down the country the finances they need to rescue our roads." “Long term repairs offer greater value for money and will give the public the confidence they are shouting out for. Equipment is available today from companies such as Econ Engineering to offer this cost-effective long-term road repair solution.” Rick Green, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, which commissions the ALARM survey, said in his report overview: “Poor road conditions impact on our everyday lives, from the cost and inconvenience of damage to vehicles, to potentially causing accidents and injury to vulnerable road users such as cyclists, some which might prove fatal." “Last autumn the Government acted on repeated calls – including ours – for longer-term, sustained investment with its promise of £8.3 billion additional funding for local roads in England, including London, over the next 11 years. But, with the latest findings of this year’s ALARM survey reporting only 47% of local roads across both England and Wales as being in ‘good’ structural condition, the scale of the challenge is clear." “There’s still a mountain to climb when it comes to fixing our local roads. We need to get to the point where local authority highway engineers can plan and proactively carry out repairs and preventative works in the most timely and efficient way to the greatest benefit of all road users – rather than just having enough money to address immediate and urgent needs.” This year’s ALARM survey is the 29th and received responses from 72% of local authorities in England and Wales. The survey report is available to download by visiting www.asphaltuk.org For more information on Econ, visit www.econ.uk.com/

Award-winning UAE-based facilities management service provider Emrill has launched Emrill Rail, its latest division providing comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique needs of the country’s railway supply industry. Emrill Rail has strategically partnered with Clemtech, a leader and specialist in recruitment and consultancy services for rolling stock and rail sectors, to deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients, including train manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the wider supply chain with vested interests in the region. Integrating Emrill's extensive in-house team of highly skilled technicians and engineers with Clemtech’s expertise in supplying experienced rolling stock resources, Emrill Rail will remove the logistical challenges of working in the UAE with cost-effective in-country technical resource solutions with industry-leading service delivery. Headquartered in Dubai, Emrill Rail is committed to elevating standards within the rail sector and is responsible for the strategic deployment of technical resource, ensuring efficient service delivery across all aspects of rolling stock and rail support activities. These will include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), general engineering, as well as OEM-led specialised activities, such as test and commissioning, installation, modification, overhaul, refurbishment and maintenance. Clemtech, a trusted brand with over 25 years of expertise in providing highly skilled recruitment services for the global rail industry has extensive expertise and working knowledge of the rail sector. Providing both permanent and temporary resource solutions, Clemtech supports new train introduction, maintenance, modification, C4 overhaul and C6 refurbishment of rolling stock vehicles and other associated rail projects, including platform screen doors and digital systems, such as ETCS, Wi-Fi, PIS, OTMR, and CCTV. Emrill Rail will work with OEMs to ensure rolling stock MEP and HVAC systems are optimised, guaranteeing peak performance and efficiency in rail operations. Emrill’s Centre of Excellence, the organisation’s dedicated training facility, will provide support with training programmes specialising in MEP and HVAC services for Emrill Rail employees. Led by industry experts, employees will receive hands-on training through simulation exercises and continuous professional development opportunities, ensuring Emrill Rail's workforce remains at the forefront of innovation and expertise in the rail sector. Stuart Harrison, Emrill’s CEO, said: “Emrill Rail is an important addition to the UAE’s rail industry, as Emrill continues to expand its services to meet the needs of the country’s evolving transportation sector. We are proud to launch Emrill Rail in partnership with Clemtech, who are highly respected worldwide. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering world-class solutions tailored specifically to the rail industry, ensuring the same high standards of quality Emrill is proud to provide. Together, we will set new standards of performance and reliability in the rail sector, solidifying our position as leaders in the field.” Harrison concluded: “Emrill Rail stands at the forefront of innovation in our industry, redefining the landscape of accessible rail technical resources with our expertise and commitment to delivering world-class services to clients.” Andrew Clements, Clemtech’s Managing Director, said: “Emrill Rail brings together two great companies with a shared vision and the ability to deliver world-class services to the growing UAE rail sector. By combining rail expertise with trusted in-country services, our global and regional clients can access the local technical skills to support their short or long-term commitments, removing the logistical and economic challenges of deploying in the region, safe in the knowledge they are working with experts with proven track records.” Clements further stated: “Emrill Rail is dedicated to delivering transformational rail resources across the UAE rail industry.”

Savour the bold tropical flavours of Shepherd Neame’s new beer Rumour Mill (4.3% ABV) this spring. It is the latest beer released by the independent family brewer as part of its popular real ale initiative Cask Club. A juicy IPA, Rumour Mill combines four hops - Mosaic, Amarillo, Jester and Challenger - to create a complex fruity flavour with additional notes of citrus and pine. The pale golden brew is perfect to savour on a spring day with its light, refreshing finish. Its name, and eye-catching pump clip design, was inspired by an historic landmark in Shepherd Neame’s hometown of Faversham, Kent - Chart Gunpowder Mills. First established in 1760, it was the only complete water-powered gunpowder mill in the country and made Faversham an important centre of the explosives industry for many centuries. The mill closed in 1934, when production was moved to Scotland. Brewing Manager Rupert Hodgkins, whose signature features on the beer’s pump clip, said: “Brewing Rumour Mill with a collection of powerful hops has been a fun challenge for the team, using our expertise to ensure a well-balanced flavour profile and aroma, crafting a delicious pint that pairs perfectly with a sunny pub garden." “We’re excited for discerning drinkers to give this flavoursome beer a try!” Shepherd Neame’s Cask Club offers an exciting new range of limited edition innovative cask beers incorporating modern styles and flavours, while also celebrating some seasonal classics. Future ales in the Cask Club programme to look out for over the next few months include Go For Gold and returning favourite Late Red.

An Orkney family business has enjoyed a dramatic increase in sales and social media followers, after one of its products appeared on James Martin’s Saturday Morning, which showcases recipes and products to a range of celebrity guests. The Orkney Gin Company, founded by husband-and-wife team Gary and Andrea Watt, uses a traditional process to distil its spirits, which include gin, vodka and Scotland’s first akvavit. The team hand-picks its base botanicals, distils the spirits slowly up to eight times, and hand-fills and corks its Selkie Folk inspired bottles, which are designed in-house in a nod to Orkney’s history and folklore. Wholesalers make up the majority of The Orkney Gin Company’s customer base, but its products are also sold by Trade, John Lewis, Amazon and other online outlets, as well as its own website. After securing their operating license in 2015, Gary and Andrea initially approached Business Gateway for support in starting-up, and received advice on their business plan and help to secure their first premises. Gary Watt, Co-owner and Distiller at The Orkney Gin Company, said: “We’re passionate about our Orcadian roots and about gin, so we knew we were capable of creating something amazing when we first approached Business Gateway for help to set-up." “We truly thought our business would remain a local one, but we’ve enjoyed steady demand over the years, which snowballed after we won our first World Gin Award.” The business saw a particularly large spike in sales after its Aatta gin, Christmas Old Tom gin and Orkney Akvavit appeared on James Martin’s Saturday Morning programme in late 2023. Gary continued: “We were approached by James and his team at a Country Living Fair in 2022 and couldn’t quite believe it. We are a small-scale family business at heart, so were very proud that someone with James’ profile liked our gin so much.” As well as a sales increase, The Orkney Gin Company has also secured additional trade customers, and has grown its website subscribers and social media following since the programme’s broadcast. The business also saw a sales increase for its Orkney Akvavit. Looking ahead, Gary and Andrea are now turning their attention towards securing larger premises to keep up with product demand, with the overall goal to introduce a visitor centre to make the most of Orkney’s tourism. Gary said: “We would love to open up a visitor centre in Orkney, and will certainly be reaching out to Business Gateway for advice on this next step in our journey. They’ve already signposted us to various Covid Bounce Back funding schemes, which have been so helpful for keeping our operations afloat. “Business Gateway has been a great support to our business operations over the years, so I’ve no doubt their continued support will be valuable as we enter this next chapter.”

The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the philanthropic partner of Perdue Farms, has awarded a $42,500 grant to aid the Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company in the purchase of state-of-the-art emergency response equipment to serve Accomack County. Bloxom Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Bagwell: “We’re grateful to Perdue for this generous gift to replace equipment that was purchased in 1994 and currently doesn’t meet today’s standards. The new equipment — the jaws of life, stabilizing struts and lifting airbags — will be faster, lighter, and safer for our first responders and ensure that we can provide the best care to save lives in our community.” The grant from the Perdue Foundation is part of the company’s Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors® outreach to improve quality of life and build strong communities where Perdue associates live and work. Perdue’s Accomac operations are in the Bloxom VFD’s response area. The 104-year-old Maryland-based company has had operations in Accomack County for more than 50 years. It employs more than 1,500 associates in the county and provides economic impact of nearly $440 million. “At Perdue, we salute those who dedicate themselves to the service of others in our communities,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation. “We appreciate the sacrifice of those men and women representing the Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company and their efforts to keep Virginia’s Eastern Shore and our associates and neighbours safe. Knowing we can depend on Bloxom VFD gives us peace of mind. We’re happy to award this grant to the fire company.”