THE latest updates from the business world including Highland Heathers calling in the receivers and Apple becoming the most valuable company.
Heather company calls in receiver
MORE than 40 people are to lose their jobs after an Argyll-based plant wholesaler called in the receiver because of poor weather and competition from overseas rivals.
Highland Heathers, founded in 1978, had a turnover of £2 million but tough trading conditions have pushed the family-owned firm into the red.
Joint receiver Anne Buchanan of PKF said outstanding orders will be completed in the next few weeks before the firm is closed with the loss of 43 jobs.
She added: “Closure is always a last resort and it is disappointing when a long-standing business closes.”
Sports centre win for Clark Contracts
CLARK Contracts has won a £1 million contract to refurbish Meadowmill Sports Centre in Tranent, following its appointment to the East Lothian Council framework agreement. The work should be completed by the end of October.
The company has secured four of six contracts in the framework, covering extensive refurbishments and alterations to public buildings and schools, small new-build contracts and extensions to public buildings, houses and schools.
It has also won work under the Edinburgh University framework.
Small business owners miss out
BRITAIN’S small business owners are missing out on holidays as they try to build their enterprises or keep them above water in difficult circumstances.
A survey from loan firm Borro found that 35 per cent a third of small and medium enterprise (SME) owners take less than 15 days holiday a year. Nearly one in ten couldn’t even manage five days away from the workplace.
Just a third of those surveyed enjoyed at least 25 days off in the past 12 months, while many also reported missing family events for work reasons.
$621bn Apple of the markets’ eye
COMPUTER maker Apple has become the world’s most valuable company after a surge in its shares pushed its market value to $621 billion (£395m), beating the record $619bn set by rival Microsoft during the internet boom of 1999.
Apple’s shares have hit new highs ahead of the anticipated launch of its new iPhone and speculation of a cheaper iPad.
The comparison to Microsoft does not take inflation into account. In inflation-adjusted dollars, the software giant was worth about $850bn on 30 December 1999. The group is now worth $257bn.
