I
’ m very pleased to introduce this very special issue of Aycliffe Business , which marks the publication ’ s 10th anniversary . I was an avid reader of this magazine long before I was elected as your MP in December 2019 . And I ’ ve continued to enjoy reading Aycliffe Business in the three years since .
We receive a copy of every issue to our office on Aycliffe Business Park . It ’ s always great to read about all the positive stories from our companies and organisations on the park .
There have been many challenges in recent years . The Covid pandemic affected every business – sadly , some weren ’ t able to survive – but many did , and continue to grow and create new jobs , which is fantastic to see .
I ’ m delighted Aycliffe Business has survived these recent challenges . It ’ s important that we have publications such as this to inform other businesses and the local population that there are still some great achievements and developments being made in our area .
It ’ s also a massive bonus for the business park to have a publication like this showcasing the
HELLO
GUEST FOREWORD FROM PAUL HOWELL MP
Welcome to this special , celebratory edition of Aycliffe Business .
amazing range of businesses we have here .
I congratulate Martin Walker and the team at Aycliffe Business for reaching this fantastic milestone .
Aycliffe Business Park itself has a long , long history , having been formed originally in 1941 when the ROF factories were built – home of the legendary Aycliffe Angels .
Aycliffe played a huge part in fighting the Nazis , with 17,000 workers here producing no less than 700 million bombs and bullets for the war effort ( you can read more about this on pages 14-15 ).
Today , Aycliffe plays a huge part in sustaining jobs – and creating new jobs – for local people and plays a crucial role in the local economy .
As the modern-day Aycliffe Business Park looks ahead with huge optimism – with our business park providing the biggest single employment area in the North-East – we can also look back with great pride on the impact Aycliffe has had on the UK over the last 80 years .
Paul Howell MP
CONTENTS
Included in the December 2022 issue of Aycliffe Business …
11 NET ZERO HEROES
Gestamp ’ s green credentials exceed expectations of customers and the community
13 TRAINING COLLABORATION
NC Group ’ s joint investment with 3M creates opportunity for apprentices
14 EIGHTY YEARS ON
We celebrate eight decades of Aycliffe Business Park
16 PROUD PUBLISHERS
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS
Aycliffe Business is Newton Aycliffe ’ s only business publication , which is mailed exclusively to companies on Aycliffe Business Park .
Launched in November 2012 , we provide firms with a unique platform to tell everyone about their services and success stories in our prestigious , high-quality publication .
With an estimated readership of more than 8,000 , copies are mailed direct to every company on our database , and the rest are distributed by hand across the park as well as nearby hotels , restaurants and conference centres .
To book space in future issues of Aycliffe Business , email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
Aycliffe Business Units 8-9 , Parson ’ s Court , Welbury Way , Aycliffe Business Park , Newton Aycliffe , Co . Durham DL5 6ZE
www . aycliffetoday . co . uk
Published & distributed by Mantis Media Ltd : www . mantis-media . com
Tel : 01325 728024 Email : martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk Director : Martin Walker .
Contributors to this issue : Sara Davies , Matthew McConnell , Martin Walker , Paul Fraser , Sarah Walker .
Our photographers : Chris Booth , Tom Banks , David Wood .
Designed by KINSHIP : Call 07846186220 Email sarah @ designbykinship . co . uk .
Ambitious media firm plans for more events and publications in 2023
27 ON POINT
Aycliffe tech firm impresses clients with knowledge forum
28 ITEC ANNIVERSARY
Training firm celebrates 40 years of ‘ training with heart ’
29 POST-COVID BOOST
Demand for inperson meetings leads to growth at The Work Place
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3