THE MAGAZINE FOR AYCLIFFE BUSINESS PARK
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR ’ S EMBROIDERY AND PRINT FIRM IS ON PATH TO SUCCESS
BUDDING LOCAL TALENT PAINTS A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR GESTAMP
CHRISTMAS PARTY PACKAGES AT THE AVIATOR GIN BAR
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NEWS
Pictured ( left to right ): BTS engineering and quality director David Atkinson , managing director Philip Atkinson , finance director Marcia Atkinson and operations director Nigel Freeman .
FOUR-DAY WEEK
Aycliffe manufacturing firm embraces short working week
A
Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturing firm has launched a four-day working week after a successful trial period .
BTS Facades and Fabrications , a company which produces cladding and façade products for clients across the country , tested a condensed working week in October last year , and the team found productivity was not negatively impacted .
As a result , BTS managing director , Philip Atkinson , has moved forward with plans to carry out the four-day working week , after he found the wellbeing of his team improved .
He said : “ Our trial period from a 40-hour week to a 37-hour week was excellent - there was a great boost in morale and engagement among our team .
“ Our staff have had the opportunity to leave early on a Friday , meaning they can get their hair cut , attend appointments , and play golf . “ It gives them a chance to do something for themselves , and in return , we ’ ve seen our workforce want to give back and work hard . In fact , I would say productivity has increased . “ I like to think that BTS is a forwardthinking company which puts its staff first , so this is a move in the right direction and I ’ m confident we ’ ll still be just as successful .”
While the new working hours will make a difference to BTS ’ 52 employees , its clients will not be affected , as the team have implemented a schedule to ensure all enquiries are handled . The four-day working week has been on
BTS ’ agenda since the team appointed Nigel
Hitachi Rail is one of almost 200 companies and organisations who have utilised the professional services of Aycliffe Business over the last 10 years .
Aycliffe Business is produced by a team of professional writers , photographers and designers – it ’ s then printed and distributed around Aycliffe Business Park and surrounding areas free of charge .
Most businesses , like Hitachi , recognise that Aycliffe Business provides a professional service and platform to promote products , services and recruitment campaigns – or a PR campaign .
Freeman as an operations director in February 2022 .
Nigel , who specialises in LEAN , a management style which aims to improve efficiency , brought with him a number of suggestions to improve the company ’ s working environment – including the four-day working week .
He said : “ I had looked at introducing something similar in a different company and after further research , I decided that it would be a good fit for our people and our business .
“ I put it forward to my team to see if it was something they might be interested in doing , as a way of improving their experience at BTS , whilst bettering the business – they all loved the idea .
“ It means BTS ’ workforce are able to have a better work-life balance , and that while they are in work , they are fresh and raring to go .”
The move to a four-day working week will be placed on a year-long trial period and will continue subject to performance and productivity .
Nigel added : “ This is their contribution towards the initiative , but with the right management and planning , I don ’ t see this being an issue .
“ This is just one of several plans we have introduced to have an engaged workforce and to be a place that people want to come and work .”
The firm is working towards achieving a B Corp status , a private certification for companies based on their social and environmental performance .
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS
YOUR NEXT STOP …
SEWING THE SEEDS
FUTURE PROOFING
IS STATION PLACE . PHASE TWO OF MERCHANT PARK IS READY TO START WELCOMING NEW AND EXPANDING BUSINESSES
LIFTING YOUR SPIRITS
ISSUE
# 59
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2022
THE MAGAZINE FOR AYCLIFFE BUSINESS PARK
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS
80 YEARS ON WE CELEBRATE EIGHT DECADES OF AYCLIFFE BUSINESS PARK
POST-COVID BOOST DEMAND FOR IN-PERSON MEETINGS LEADS TO GROWTH AT THE WORK PLACE
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AMBITIOUS MEDIA FIRM LAUNCHES MORE EVENTS AND PUBLICATIONS IN 2023
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To promote your business or organisation in Aycliffe Business , call us today on 01325 728024 or email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
ON POINT AYCLIFFE TECH FIRM IMPRESSES CLIENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE FORUM
ISSUE
# 60
DECEMBER 2022
BUSINESS BRIEFS
STACKING UP Developers have given the first glimpse of how an exciting County Durham leisure operation will look once completed .
In March , councillors gave the green light to STACK Bishop Auckland , a purpose-built two storey building with a roof terrace at Newgate Street .
The mixed-use building will house local independent food traders and bars , as well as having a space which will be used for a wide variety of live entertainment .
Now that the scheme has been given the official seal of approval , work will begin on demolishing the former WH Smith and Mothercare units so that construction can begin .
FUNDING BOOST People in County Durham whose homes are not connected to a mains gas supply are set to benefit following the success of a funding bid .
A total of 250 properties will be eligible for work to make them more energy efficient after Durham County Council was successful in a bid for £ 5.185m from the government .
The money comes on the back of figures which showed the council is leading the way nationally in its use of a further £ 10m of funding it obtained for work to improve the energy efficiency of homes .
YOUNG STRATEGY Young people in County Durham have been influential in developing a new strategy for children ’ s services .
Durham County Council has launched its new children ’ s strategy , Growing Up in County Durham ( GUiCD ), for 2023-2025 .
Building on its previous strategy for 2019-2022 , the council has worked with partners in the NHS , police , and the voluntary and community sector to outline four key aims to make sure every child has the best start in life and that they and their families are supported from pregnancy through to adulthood .
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS # 63 We ’ re already working on issue # 63 of Aycliffe Business , due out in June .
The deadline is Friday , May 26 . To enquire , call 01325 728024 or email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
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