CONTENTS
We certainly are living in difficult times . If the UK was a business , it would be declared bankrupt .
The UK had a trade deficit with the EU of £ 81 billion in 2022 and a trade surplus of £ 13 billion with non-EU countries . This equates to a net deficit of £ 68 billion . This equates to more or less £ 1000 for each person in the country and there are no plans to address this .
The government ( wrongly in my opinion ) protects us from this loss by borrowing money or selling our assets .
Both of these have a long-term negative impact on our economy and the sooner we face it the better .
The last few years have been the most difficult I can recall in 50 years of being in business and yet the future has never looked brighter .
The pandemic presented problems that were difficult to deal with and seemed to be never ending .
HELLO
GUEST FOREWORD FROM JOHN ELLIOTT MBE
Welcome to the 66th issue of Aycliffe Business .
As well as having difficult trading conditions we invested in two new products which to say the least put a strain on our finances .
There is a phrase that if a hardship does not kill you , it makes you stronger , and that certainly has been the case at Ebac .
The growth potential of our new products looks very good . We have developed an air source heat pump that ticks a lot of boxes .
So we have lots to be positive about , and you can read more about us on page 24 of this issue of Aycliffe Business .
I ’ m also delighted to see the return of the Make Your Mark Aycliffe Business Awards this year . The 2022 event was a fantastic evening of celebration and I ’ d urge all companies on the business park to get involved . Read more on pages 16-19 .
Thanks for reading . John Elliott MBE Chairman , Ebac
Included in the 66th issue of Aycliffe Business …
16 AWARDS RETURN
Events team charged to make their mark with showcase awards
21 UPSKILLING YOUR WORKFORCE
NC Group designs commercial training programmes to suit
23 INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
C & A excited for 2024 after more new contracts
24 EXPANSION PLANS BOOST
£ 4m facility will fuel Ebac growth plans
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 / editor : Martin Walker .
Contributors to this issue : John Elliott , Angela Wilkinson , Nicky Jolly , Paul Fraser .
Our photographers : Chris Booth , Tom Banks .
Designed by KINSHIP : Call 07846186220 Email sarah @ designbykinship . co . uk .
25 FUTURE PROOFERS
How Optimum Skills are nurturing the next wave of talent
26 A CUT ABOVE
Ex-Big Brother winner on a mental health mission
34 WEAR SUCCESS
Wear Businesswomen Awards mark Resolution ’ s first non-Tees venture
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3