The life and less ordinary times of LDC

The Independent Group launch their new Group logo on the nose cone of the Virgin F1 race car at Monza this weekend.

Following a period of intense activity the Independent Group is now primed to move into the next stage of its commercial development. And it has been an interesting and at times difficult period for the group. 

The Independent Group now forms the headline Company for the recently integrated Ansa Group, Independent Inspections Ltd., Home & Comforts and Chem-Dry companies, all centrally located in Preston, Lancashire. 

The integration process whilst on-going meant developing a common ‘shared services’ platform that centrally coordinates the operational and most active elements of the business. All of this had to be achieved in a timely manner whilst ensuring the service to their client base was maintained. And here was a great example of when LDC’s Value Enhancement capability had a role to play in helping the business to manage the change – integration being a prime area of expertise for this team. 

It will now be interesting to see how the business performs over the coming months especially as there is expansion in key areas of the business that is supporting strong growth opportunities. This is particularly the case in the supply and fit of floor coverings such as carpet and laminates. 

Andrew Lloyd-Jones, the CEO of the Independent Group believes the enlarged business is now ‘well positioned’ in the market with a number of clearly defined strategic objectives for the business. 

It is however clear that a new approach under a single unifying Group brand will provide another catalyst for the business, employees and it is hoped the prospects for current and future customers!                   

Editor’s Notes:

The Integrated group offers consolidated Claims Management Outsourcing services via Expert Validation for all UK Insurers. Predominantly active in the flooring & furniture, fire & flood restoration and drainage arenas the Independent Group delivers cost effective end to end solutions across these perils covering repudiation, fraud detection, restoration, fulfilment or cash settlement within the shortest cycle time, backed up by innovative software demonstrating on a claim by claim basis the lowest cost solution.

By Phil Riley, Chief Executive, Orion Media

From the days of crackling, muffled long wave to the now crisp sound of digital stations, radio has always been an influential source of entertainment and information.

The days of a few national channels and just one local station in each part of the UK are long gone. We are spoilt for choice, with an abundance of channels to entertain us across AM, FM, DAB and online.

Latest figures from Radio Joint Audience Research Ltd (RAJAR) show that radio listening is at record levels, with almost 48 million adults tuning into their favourite radio stations every week – that’s more than 9 out of every 10 adults in the UK.

However, I would argue that despite all this variety and choice, local radio remains at the heart of the radio experience due to its importance to its region and community, with the evidence coming from the success we are having at Orion Media.

In and amongst all this national competition, our own stations are doing well, growing audiences at an annual rate of just under 6 per cent since acquisition in 2009. We are particularly pleased with the performance of our two big hitters, East Midlands regional Gem 106, and Birmingham-based brmb, both of which are posting some impressive recent listening figures. brmb has registered an extra 92,000 listeners in the last six months, and Gem106 has grown by 43 per cent since the beginning of last year. I have to say a big thank you to LDC for supporting all of our radio stations since 2009, including backing a significant recent marketing campaign for Gem, and one in the pipeline for brmb. 

So why are people choosing to tune into local radio stations like ours?

Music is of course a key ingredient, and our carefully researched and selected mix of oldies and current tracks is designed to appeal to a core audience in their thirties.

Functional elements like up-to-date local news, sport, travel and event coverage is also critical and a key USP. As a recent example, all of our stations played an important role in ensuring that people from across the region were kept fully informed of the riots that were taking place in and around Birmingham, West Bromwich and Nottingham. Our riots coverage meant all of our stations saw huge surges in their social media engagement, both online and via facebook & twitter, demonstrating the need for the stations to embrace a multi-media future.

The personality of our presenters is also hugely important, and we have worked hard over the past two years to recruit talented DJs across the Midlands, to augment the great presenters who were here when we arrived. Also important is our ability to let our listeners engage with the stations. Our listeners want to be entertained – and quite often we let them entertain each other with their unique take on life by letting them interact with us using phone, text, email or facebook response.

Finally, wrapping this into a cohesive approach, we believe our current success is due to our commitment to “belonging” – ensuring that our listeners know their local station belongs to the area it serves. That involves giving something back, and this year our stations collectively will have raised well over £500,000 for local charities due to the generosity of our listeners and clients.

It has been a fantastic few years for us, made possible by the continuing support from LDC, and with listeners up and ad revenue growing, the future for Orion Media looks as bright as the constellation it is named after.

By Craig Wilkinson, Managing Director, LDC Asia

Selecting Hong Kong to base our first international office was not a difficult decision. As a gateway to the Asian region it not only has an established advisory network with a truly ‘international’ outlook but it has a well developed legal framework and strong corporate governance structure. This made the transition from domestic UK private equity player to one with international aspirations much much easier. 

Commercially it was a simple decision – access to a marketplace comprising not only China with one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but also with the ability to tap into other Asian markets (and Australia). We also have previous experience of working in Asia with a number of our portfolio companies. 

Our focus for the team has not changed since we landed in late 2008 – a clear remit to assist those

UK based LDC portfolio businesses that wish to identify and pursue a range of value adding international commercial options. This ranges from supplier sourcing, outsourcing, market entry, and partnerships right through to business development and exit options. 

This primary goal works alongside LDC’s ambitions to invest directly into Asian businesses. Thus far the LDC team have committed over $50m to two funds in the region.

But to make this happen it is essential to work with, and alongside, the right network of competent and experienced individuals…this is why ‘creating business partnerships’ has become our guiding light. We could add the word quality to this! Without relationships we cannot undertake what we aim to do, although nor can anyone else in this region!

Our successes thus far range from a number of market entry introductions and sourcing opportunities right through to the establishment of local operations.

A great recent example is a company called Microlease, a leading supplier of Test and Measurement Equipment to the telecoms, aerospace and defence industry. The team in Hong Kong has supported Microlease as they progressed the establishment of their own China operation. This included support on office location and direction on advisory services for accounting, legal and tax issues.

Bill Colley, Commercial Operations Director at Microlease, paid us the compliment of saying:

”When trying to break into new markets, like the Far East, there is nothing better than having trusted colleagues on the ground with access to local intelligence.”

So what next for the team in Asia?

With an LDC list of 60+ companies stretching across a number of different business sectors I suspect very much more of the same…which should be good news for those companies looking further afield and also for LDC.

More information about LDC in Asia can be obtained directly from the team in Hong Kong by contacting orong@ldc.com.uk

From Andrew Wilkinson, OWB

“I’ve just logged in to the LDC Marketplace and clicked onto Online Golf, purchased two Nike shirts, I received a free Nike cap and free golfing socks and got 10% off using the LDC Marketplace unique code…fantastic I’m absolutely thrilled. All I need now is to learn how to drive, putt and chip…”

On 11 March 2011, LDC Director Ken Hills was part of a 13-member team to complete the 5,895metre trek to reach the peak of the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, Kilimanjaro.

For seven days the team lived out of backpacks, slept under canvas in five climate zones and clocked between six to eight hours of walking everyday. They reached the peak at around 8am on the 11th, following a hellish nine hour walk in absolute darkness, eerie silence and bitterly cold winds!

LDC portfolio company Chem-Dry arranged the challenge which was their biggest ever charity event. The trek has raised over £7,500 for Chem-Dry’s charity of the year ‘Asthma UK’.  Asthma UK works with people with asthma, health professionals and researchers to develop and share expertise to help people increase their understanding and reduce the effect of asthma in their lives.

After the event, Ken Hills said “Climbing Kilimanjaro is quite a challenge, it has been stunning, very cold and very hard but the feeling of accomplishment when you reach the peak is like nothing else emphasised by the fact we have raised so much money for such a great cause.”

It is not too late to donate for their achievement and Asthma UK by Clicking Here.

Note to Editors – Chem-Dry is one of the UK’s leading carpet & upholstery cleaning companies. With over 150 locally based carpet cleaning & fire and flood restoration franchises serving the UK and over 4,000 locations globally. For more information on Asthma UK – visit www.asthma.org.uk.