Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 03
CONTENTS
WELCOME
FOREWORD By Phil Wilson MP (Sedgefield)
Welcome to the launch edition
of Aycliffe Today Business –
an exciting new magazine for
Aycliffe Business Park.
The timing of this magazine couldn’t be
better, given the exciting news stories that
are breaking out across the park recently,
and I was only too happy to agree to
writing this guest foreword for what I think
is an innovative publication for Newton
Aycliffe.
I’m a big fan of Aycliffe Today. It’s a new
but exciting news website which I think
has been a breath of fresh air for the
town, in terms of delivering daily news,
interesting blogs, sport and features.
Likewise, Aycliffe Today Business is new,
but just as exciting, and for very different
reasons.
Aycliffe Business Park is the secondlargest industrial estate in the North-East.
There are currently more than 300 firms
registered on the park, with more than
10,000 employees working here, and I
understand it has the capacity to increase
to over 500 companies.
With the arrival of Hitachi Rail Europe’s
Intercity Express Programme, on the back
of multi-million pound investments by the
likes of Gestamp Tallent and Ebac who are
already two of our biggest employers, I’m
sure those numbers will only increase.
/03
WELCOME
To the first issue of Aycliffe Today
Business, we look forward to
hearing what you think…
/04
THE HITACHI
EFFECT
With such a vast business park, it may
seem strange, and perhaps overdue, that
this publication actually provides the park
with its very first specific Business to
Business publication.
We talk to Merchant Place
Developments and property
consultants Sanderson Weatherall
about the impact of Hitachi, while
South Durham Enterprise Agency
Executive Manager Steven Robson
pens an exclusive column…
But I’m sure, once you’ve read it, you’ll
agree with me in saying it’s a very
welcome addition for the park.
/05
THE WORK PLACE
All of the editorial content is original,
written specifically for this magazine,
and this launch issue includes a very
interesting feature interview with Ebac
managing director Pamela Petty, as well as
features with South West Durham Training
and property consultants Sanderson
Weatherall.
The Work Place…four years on.
Also, Carlton & Co. Director Craig
Peterson gives us his insightful
views on Crowdfunding in an
exclusive guest column…
There are also guest columns from Craig
Peterson, director of Carlton & Co which
owns the Hub Workspace, and Steven
Robson from the South Durham Enterprise
Agency.
It’s another breath of fresh air, and I hope
you enjoy reading as much as I have.
Regards
Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield
www.philwilson-labour.co.uk
SEDGEFIELD DINNER SUCCESS
Almost 400 guests packed into the Xcel Centre’s impressive auditorium for a
special dinner to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sedgefield Constituency
on Friday 16th November.
The event, organised by Phil Wilson and his team, was sponsored by Hitachi
Rail Europe and Merchant Place Developments, and was attended by key players
from Hitachi, as well as a number of North-East companies and personalities.
Tony Blair was due to attend, but had to cancel after the death of his father that day.
Aycliffe Today Business will bring you a special feature covering the event in our next edition,
due out before Christmas.
Produced by: Mantis Media, www.mantis-media.com
Designed by: NEON, www.youareneon.co.uk
Printed and distributed by: Splash Print Management, www.splash-pm.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Advertising: [email protected]
Editor: Martin Walker
/06
COLLABORATIVE
WORKING
Forward thinking, ambitious
businesses will find everything
they need to thrive at The HUB
/08
SPIN CITY
Ebac managing director Pamela
Petty tells Martin Walker about the
company’s exciting new plans to
bring washing machine manufacturing
back to the UK, and back to Newton
Aycliffe…
/11
COMPANY FOCUS
South West Durham Training has been
delivering Apprenticeships in Newton
Aycliffe for 45 years – we talk to the
company’s new Business Development
Manager Michael Blades…
/12
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
A useful guide to who’s who
on Aycliffe Business Park…
Mobile: 07826 525907 Email: [email protected]
Contributors to this issue: Phil Wilson MP Martin Walker, Steven Robson, Craig Peterson, Paul McGeary
,
Photography: Cover and feature pics by Keith Taylor, other pictures by Martin Walker
Splash
Print Management
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