BUSINESS CLUB - Rhondda Cynon Taf

usinessoutlook
RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL B U S I N E S S S U P P L E M E N T
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Welcome...
...to businessoutlook, showcasing the
exciting regeneration and opportunities
made possible in Rhondda Cynon Taf
through our “can do” approach to business.
We are home to renowned names
and market leaders such as
Penderyn Whisky and GE Aviation, as
well as a diverse mix of businesses of all
specialities and sizes.
Local Government, the public sector
and the economy generally is currently
facing difficult times, with public
spending cuts and low economic growth.
It is hugely encouraging that, despite
these austere times, we are delivering
investment packages of £10.5m in
Pontypridd and £7.7m in Aberdare to
regenerate these important towns and
restore them as major visitor
destinations.
Private sector investment, including
the new Sainsbury’s in Pontypridd,
demonstrates commercial confidence in
the County Borough.
The Council does all it can to provide
an environment where they can
prosper. This includes a substantial
annual grants programme, including
European funded support.
We are committed to standing up for
Rhondda Cynon Taf in these tough
times, which is why we are taking
pro­active measures to do what we can
to stimulate the local economy, whether
through town centre regeneration, our
apprenticeship scheme, housing market
stimulation or local business support.
We continue to make key transport
improvements in all modes – rail, bus,
walking and cycling – and, in recognition
of the importance of an efficient and
easy to use road network, are investing
a further £9m to repair and improve
highways and footways – on top of the
£10m spent last year.
With its excellent strategic location in
the centre of South Wales and the M4
and Heads of the Valleys corridors,
Rhondda Cynon Taf is an excellent place
for business, as more and more
businesses are finding out. Most
importantly, it is a County going
forward, with opportunities across the
board for those that live, work, visit and
do business here.
County Borough Councillor
Anthony Christopher
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf
County Borough Council
Improving our Economy
Young people are securing the specialist skills needed for
the future, thanks to an important partnership between
Vattenfall, which is developing the Pen y Cymoedd Wind
Energy Project and Treorchy­based ISO Fab.
Since being given the green light for a
flagship 76­turbine scheme, Vattenfall
has been committed to bringing
economic opportunity to the region and
local businesses. This can be seen with
the new apprenticeships, which are
training future wind turbine technicians
and giving local young people essential
skills and employment.
Richard Morris of ISO Fab said:
“Businesses need to constantly be
looking at new emerging industries, and
this project offers a real opportunity for
the area. The apprenticeships will help us
better understand the needs of the
renewable sector to develop further
business opportunities for the future”.
Richard Morris and Stephen Holdroyd
Stephen Holdroyd, Senior Development
Manager, Vattenfall Wales said: “We have
always been clear that we would look to
maximise local economic opportunities
through the project and developing a
skilled workforce is important for all
renewable energy companies.”
Recently Vattenfall asked businesses to
register their interest in bidding for work
on the scheme and more than 600
companies registered. 90% of the firms
came from Wales with over 30% coming
from the local area. Local supply chain
events are now being planned for the
Autumn for companies who have
registered.
Wales’ only whisky
distillery based in
Rhondda Cynon Taf,
is making its mark
across the world.
Penderyn has become an acclaimed
brand worldwide and its success,
including the opportunities it brings to
RCT, speaks for itself, with a £3.5m
turnover and planned expansion and
jobs creation.
As well as being a shining example of
innovation to inspire others, the brand
with the distinctive and contemporary
twist is an ambassador for the County
Borough and is boosting tourism.
Penderyn continues to secure
worldwide acclaim, holding its own and
then some against its Scottish and Irish
counterparts. Its single malt whisky is
now pleasing palates around the world,
including France, North America, South
Africa and even the Falkland Islands.
Success also extends to its fascinating
visitor centre that in its brief history since
the opening by HRH Prince Charles in
2008, has become a must­see attraction
visited by 30,000 people a year.
Nestled in the foothills of the Brecon
Beacons, visitors are treated to a unique
experience and Penderyn is also linking
in with existing events such as the Wales
Valleys Walking Festival, Open Doors and
the absorbing new audio trails to add a
delicious end to the events.
Giancarlo Bianchi, Technical and Visitor
Centre Manager, and one of 26 people
employed at Penderyn, explained: “We
have a strict allocation to markets outside
Wales and produce just a few casks a day
of the finest malted barley spirit which,
when matured, is recognised as one of
the rarest and best malt whiskies.
“We export around 20% overseas, as
far afield as Australia and Japan. France
remains one of the largest countries for
export, where the typical consumer has
a sophisticated palate that appreciates
the quality of our products and whisky
consumption rates are the highest in the
world, alongside the USA.
“From the outset Penderyn has been
about quality, a premium and modern
brand ­ not about quantity and mass
exportation and we have been careful
every step of the way, from the design of
the bottles and packaging to the whisky
itself, to stand out from the rest.
“We sell everything we produce and
our sales have increased on average
16% a year. This has prompted us to
explore the possibility of expanding our
production capacity.”
Find out more at
www.welsh­whisky.co.uk
2 BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT