App gives passengers a smarter way to beat the bar queues at Bristol Airport: Bristol Airport has become the first in the world to give passengers the chance to order food and drink in its bars and lounges via their smartphones. Customers can download a free app called QikServe in seconds, place their order and then have their food served at their table – without the hassle of queuing or worrying about leaving their baggage or other valuable items. Read more…
General manager appointed to Co-op’s new West distribution base: The Co-operative Group has appointed Adrian Buxton as general manager at its new £20m regional food distribution depot in Avonmouth, which is due to open later this year. Mr Buxton joined The Co-operative in an administrative role in 1979 and worked his way up to managing food stores before moving to logistics. He has managed distribution depots in Chelston in Somerset, Nottingham, and most recently the group’s 320,000 sq ft composite distribution centre in Thurrock, Essex. Read more…
Fourth acquisition of 2012 fuels US market entry for specialist chemical group: Bristol-based A-Gas International, one of the world’s largest independent suppliers of refrigerants, associated environmental services, and speciality gases and chemicals, has completed the acquisition of US firm RemTec International, a specialist in the controlled halocarbon management and sustainability industry. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal represents the fourth strategic acquisition for A-Gas so far this year and forms part of its acquisitive growth strategy in the UK and internationally. Read more…
High growth at West accountants Bishop Fleming recognised in Top 50 table: West accountancy firm Bishop Fleming has been named as the UK’s fastest-growing firm in Accountancy Age magazine’s annual Top 50 league table. The firm, which has an office in Bristol and recently expanded into Bath, achieved an annual growth rate of 28%, according to Accountancy Age. The analysis also showed the firm’s fee income for accountancy services grew by 26%, while its fee-income for tax services by 65% while its fee income for consultancy doubled in the past year. Read more…
