Business news: traditional industries suffer while the more agile prosper

At a time when many of the old stalwarts of the British economy only seem to be generating bad news, other companies - not necessarily younger or in white-hot business sectors - are moving fast to develop fresh opportunities.

Two signs-of-the-times stories have hit the newsdesk recently.

The Hays services group has grabbed IT company Hutchinson Smith and delivery specialist Cannon Couriers for a projected total of almost £46M in a substantial boost to its established business areas.

Specialist divisions within Hutchinson Smith will be merged with Hays' own IT division to create one of the largest IT recruitment operations in the country. Newly acquired consultancy skills will be used to support existing Hays customers. Cannon will also be wound in to build up existing strengths.

And in a newer business area, there is a new option for building up services.

Kingston Voiceware, Genesis Telecommunications and Pertemps have teamed up to offer a turn-key call centre package. Companies can change the function of existing accommodation by taking in hardware from Genesis and software from Kingston - and even, where necessary, the staff from recruitment specialist Pertemps. The whole operation can be provided for one fixed payment per month, with prices starting at £99.

Elliott Chase