Issue 1 (10 January 2007)

Help us celebrate

Our aim is, quite simply, to note and celebrate the activities which make Fife such a dynamic place to do business.

Voice your opinion on new panel

So far, 252 businesses have replied positively to the letter sent out in May by the Forum inviting them to join the panel. The more companies that join, the greater impact the panel will have.

Ingenico's expertise is picture perfect

After securing a global agreement with Kodak, Dalgety Bay-based Ingenico UK will supply a Chip and PIN solution for the company's picture kiosks at retail locations worldwide.

Bridgehead strengthens Flanders connection

Having a direct ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge in Flanders, linking Scotland directly with mainland Europe, has enhanced the relationship and has helped improve trade links and ensure Scotland is no longer on the periphery of Europe.

Going green brings its own rewards

Fife farm holiday complex Morton of Pitmilly is a business with a definite green commitment.

Building skills for tomorrow

The open day gave employers the opportunity to discuss their training requirements and see exhibitions from local and national material and tool suppliers.

Creative helping hand at college

It has just opened its Creative Business Centre, providing affordable workspace and business support to young or new companies.

Last respects

For many years Jim, who died on August19 at the age of 72, served the small business community locally and nationally, latterly as convener of the Federation of Small Businesses’ Scottish Policy Unit.

The sum is greater than the parts

In each issue of Fife Business, we plan to ask local politicians and business leaders to answer questions about the region’s economy. In the first of these Q&A sessions, we speak to Gordon Brown, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Red tape choking EU competitiveness

Commenting on the public sector procurement rules, Mr Purvis, Vice Chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and a member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee of the European Parliament, said the overriding thrust of the Lisbon agenda, which ruled all EU economic policies these days, was competitiveness.

Major investment by printing firm

Multiprint owner George Warner said: “We recognise that to stay ahead in today’s market we need to ensure that we have the right tools to do the job properly. Customers want much more flexibility and quality in their printed materials, and at the same time at a cost which is affordable.”

Copper-bottomed expansion

A Glenrothes engineering company is delighted to be in hot water with a major factory extension.

Landmark blueprint means business

Seen as a top priority for the economic regeneration of Mid-Fife, ambitious plans for the council-owned business park have been granted outline planning permission.

Fife offers some food for thought

The campaign was supported by Fife Council and Perth & Kinross Council to show off the best produce of the two regions.

Delivering staff development

Working in partnership with a dedicated project team, the Business Learning and Conference Centre (blcc) at Lauder is ensuring the programme meets the needs of the council and the individual staff taking part.

Heading off a Mid-Fife crisis

Fife’s Structure Plan yelped into the headlines a few months back with the focus on the Kingdom’s land use over the next two decades virtually crystallised into one subject - housing.

Wails from the riverbank

In August Fife Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise challenged all four leaders of Scotland’s main political parties to cast aside their political differences and urgently push forward plans for a new Forth crossing.

Commuters set for cross-Forth hovercraft trial

Seafaring passengers could board a hovercraft for journeys between Kirkcaldy and Portobello, Stagecoach has revealed.

Building tomorrow's world today

Lauder College has unveiled a £5m centre of excellence for the construction industry - the first of its kind in Scotland.

Setting a new pace in networking

Sole traders and small businesses in Fife will have the chance to try out the idea during National Enterprise Week in November.

More than alright on the night

Fife businesses joined forces to raise almost £40,000 for the new Maggie’s Centre in Kirkcaldy at the Maggie’s Midsummer Madness fundraising dinner.

Bell tolls for bridge tolls?

We recently conducted a survey of our members to contribute some factual information to a public consultation on whether or not the bridge tolls should be retained or abolished.

Comfort is par for the course

A Fife podiatrist is treading a path to the world’s leading golf-shoe manufacturers to collaborate on a special service for golfers.

Centre offers rich crop of expertise

The Rural Business Centre has been created to give local business people all the support they need from under one roof.

Forbo adds a new shark attraction

The floor installed in the shark education room at ‘Scotland’s shark capital’ was designed by five-year-old Jamie McAndrew from Kirkcaldy.

Age? There's no grey area!

Fife employers are being urged to put an end to age discrimination in the workplace following the biggest change to UK employment law in 30 years. New legislation, which came into effect on October 1, makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees, job seekers and trainees because of their age.