Ben and Dan discuss investment in a software firm in Banbury, results for a Bristol-based eyewear group, and an exclusive interview with the best-selling deodorant brand on Amazon UK.
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00:00Investment for a software firm, results for an eyewear group, and an interview with a
00:04Kings Award winner.
00:06That's what's coming up in today's business briefing.
00:13All right, morning, Ben.
00:14Morning.
00:14So you've got a couple of results stories for us today.
00:17Why don't you tell us about one of them now?
00:18Yep, so we've got the results for an eyewear group, Acilla.
00:23So they're based in Bristol, and they have thousands of outlets across the UK, and they've
00:28reported increased turnover in their latest results.
00:32Pre-tax profits did fall slightly, but it was still a positive year overall for them.
00:38So the company, they manufacture and sell lenses, and also distribute optical equipment.
00:44So there's another big southwest company called InSpecs.
00:47I'm not sure if you've heard of them.
00:49Yeah.
00:49They're listed on the London Stock Exchange.
00:51So it's quite an interesting area.
00:52But, yep, Acilla, they are a UK subsidiary of Acilla Luxottica SA Group, which was incorporated
01:01in France.
01:03It has approximately 6,000 UK outlets, and that comprises national and regional chains, and
01:09also independents.
01:11And it had almost 600 employees in its latest year.
01:15And directors have said, looking forward, that the market remains highly competitive, but
01:21with a significant portfolio of new products, capital investment in both manufacturing and
01:25systems.
01:26And it's also committed to enhancing services.
01:30So they go on to add that they're confident that it will continue to build on our current
01:34level of performance in the future.
01:35So overall, a positive set of results for them, and the directors are up for the future.
01:41Very interesting business.
01:42Have you ever worn glasses or contact lenses?
01:44I haven't worn them myself, but my partner does.
01:47Yeah, same.
01:47A lot of people get laser eye surgery these days as well, don't they?
01:49Yes, they do.
01:50So there is a lot of demand for that.
01:52And I do think that, you know, away from sight, quite a few people wear glasses for
01:56light.
01:56Fashion.
01:57Fashion as well.
01:58Anyway, so sticking with the South, a Banbury-based software firm has secured £4 million
02:03in growth capital from YFM equity partners to support their expansion plans.
02:07YFM's a big name.
02:08It is.
02:09So founded in 2011, S4 Labour provides workforce management tools for hospitality companies,
02:15which helps with rotors, payroll, and HR, that sort of thing.
02:18The funding will be used to enhance the platform, boost product development, and grow the team,
02:22particularly their sales and marketing team, as they target larger pub groups and hospitality
02:28chains.
02:29It's an important area.
02:30It is, yeah.
02:31So S4 Labour already works with over 250 clients, including JKS, Oakman Inns, and the
02:36Rebel Collective.
02:37Big number of clients as well.
02:38Very impressive.
02:39YFM has said the businesses are well-positioned to grow as the hospitality industry sort of
02:44continues to digitalise.
02:46The hospitality sector is increasingly adopting digital tools, I think, to manage operations
02:50more efficiently.
02:51I think that's the case with sectors in general, that they are going more digital.
02:55Yeah, you know, especially areas like rotorscheduling and HR.
02:57They're moving away from those manual systems, a shift towards cloud-based platforms.
03:01So you can see why YFM was keen to invest.
03:05Yes, you can see.
03:06Really good news for them.
03:08No, it's one to look out for.
03:09Yeah, definitely.
03:10And you've got another results story for us.
03:12Yes.
03:12So another interesting area.
03:14So it's a ship owner and broker, Charles M. Willian Co. Shipping.
03:20So they have reported tough trading, but they've said the year is ultimately a successful one,
03:24despite a slight dip in profits and turnover.
03:29So the company's blamed a weaker market and lower volumes.
03:32They've also said there was a downturn in the freight market and that the favourable conditions
03:39that they'd previously seen were well and truly over for the time being.
03:43Although the ships were kept fully occupied throughout, they purchased one ship,
03:47and they are magnificent-looking ships.
03:50We've got some images with the story.
03:51So you've got the Celtic Voyager, that was built in 2009,
03:56whilst the Celtic Freedom, built in 2002, another really great-looking ship, that was sold.
04:03But reflecting on the account, Stuart Reid, one of the senior directors,
04:07he's told Insider exclusively, trading has been tough, but the year was ultimately a successful one.
04:14And he goes on to add, 2024 was the year in which the company made huge strides towards a stronger future.
04:21With the retirement of one director, Andrew Reid, and the appointment of five new directors.
04:26So quite a lot of change there.
04:27And he said it would be their challenge to navigate the company for all the changes of the next 30 to 40 years.
04:33So we have a really good relationship with this company.
04:36They regularly send us correspondence every year.
04:38And, you know, it's great to get that exclusive comment from them as well.
04:42Well done on getting that.
04:44And sort of sticking with exclusive comments, our South Coast reporter, Daniel Face,
04:49has done an exclusive interview with the best-selling deodorant brand on Amazon UK.
04:53Really interesting area, Dan.
04:54It is.
04:54So Salt of the Earth is a Hampshire-based natural deodorant brand.
04:58And they have just won a King's Award for Enterprise thanks to their international success.
05:01So the family-run business is led by managing director Thomas Laird, who Dan spoke to the other day.
05:08His firm has sold 9 million products worldwide with strong demand in markets like Greece, Hong Kong, and South Africa.
05:15Laird took over the company from his mum in 2008 during the credit crisis.
05:19And they started out bottling deodorants in a kitchen tea urn.
05:22And they have since built it into Amazon UK's top-selling deodorant brand.
05:25And a real international presence.
05:27Yeah, and a really sort of impressive growth story there.
05:30Yeah, and to be recognised at the King's Awards, really prestigious awards, which we've covered quite extensively.
05:35Yeah, we've sort of covered the initial awards and done a few interviews since then.
05:38But I think this is one of my favourites that I've seen as well as the write-ups.
05:41Salt of the Earth is now eyeing growth in the US market, having secured the rights to their brand name over there.
05:46And I think generally the demand for natural, sustainable, personal care products is soaring.
05:50Because I think consumers are becoming more environmentally aware when they make purchases.
05:54And it's something they look out for.
05:55So I think it's a really smart business plan.
05:58But I don't want to give too much away.
06:00To read the full story, please visit insideinmedia.com, where you can also read about the other stories we've discussed today.
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