Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 13
location. It’s the most exciting time there
has ever been for this business.
“Realising the potential for more growth,
increasing turnover and generating more
profit are all exciting challenges. Can we
increase turnover to more than £15million?
Well, if we have the right team in place at the
right time and with the right machinery then
yes, I am confident we will.
”
Location was an important factor in TTP’s
move with the business determined to stay
true to its Aycliffe roots.
Having its own logistics division and fleet
of vehicles so close to the A1 has served
the business well, with most of its Scottish
borders to Humberside catchment area
accessible within a couple of hours.
Mark added: “We have seen a lot of changes
here and unfortunately many businesses are
long gone. But Hitachi will certainly make
people sit up and take notice. It will attract
a lot of businesses back to Aycliffe and
everybody needs packaging so hopefully we
can benefit from that.
”
But despite the positive outlook, TTP
appreciates the challenges that lie ahead.
The packaging sector is a competitive one,
with not just independents, but merchants
and large integrated operations populating a
crowded marketplace.
With quality, reliability and a bespoke design
service as key drivers for TTP efficiency
,
needs to be at its upmost for the business to
compete on price.
“One of the challenges is certainly
competition particularly manufacturing costs
and raw materials which we have to absorb,
”
explained Mark.
“That is why investing in new technology
gives us a competitive edge. It lets us
produce a better product at a faster rate. It
safeguards the work we already have in place
but lets us become even more successful
when winning contracts and tenders.
”
And more work means more staff.
“We now have a fantastic operation with design,
production, warehousing and logistics all on one
prime location. It’s the most exciting time there
has ever been for this business.
”
Mark added: “If you are investing in the best
technology, you still need people to operate
it. It’s specialised machinery which is labour
intensive so we need a steady stream of
new staff who can be trained up.
“But as we have grown consistently over the
past four or five years, I see no reason why
that won’t continue. It’s an exciting future for
TTP and all the staff are looking forward to
our continued growth.
”
For more information about
TTP call 01325 311114 or visit
www.tyneteespackaging.co.uk
Main pic: Tyne Tees Packaging managing director
Gerard Wiper (centre) with operations manager
Mark Barron and sales manager Caroline Weaver.
Above top: TTP’s new 70,000 sq ft factory on
Grindon Way.
Above bottom: Operations manager Mark Barron
on the shop floor at Tyne Tees Packaging