6 | Aycliffe Today Business
A bird’s eye view of the Hitachi site
taken from the ‘Hexacopter’.
BUSINESS BITES
CABLE LAUDS ‘GLOBAL
LEADING’ HITACHI
Business Secretary Vince Cable has
praised Hitachi Rail Europe after the
Japanese firm revealed it is working
with more than 30 UK-based suppliers
for trains which will be built at its
Newton Aycliffe factory.
Of those parts, systems and operations
that Hitachi Rail Europe could have
sourced from the UK for the new trains,
72% have been purchased from UKbased businesses.
Mr Cable said: “Hitachi’s decision to
work with suppliers from across the
country shows that the UK is advancing
as a global leader in rail manufacturing.
”
Full story is in the business section of
www.aycliffetoday.co.uk
GOVERNMENT APPROVES UTC
The Government has confirmed the first
Universal Technical College (UTC) for the
North-East will be in Newton Aycliffe.
South Durham UTC, sponsored by the
University of Sunderland, Hitachi Rail
Europe and Gestamp Tallent, will cater
for 600 students a year, aged 14-19, and
specialise in engineering and advanced
manufacturing on Aycliffe Business Park.
Chancellor George Osborne said:
“University Technical Colleges are a
key part of the Government’s longterm economic plan because they help
ensure young people have the right skills
so they can maximise their potential.
”
More at www.aycliffetoday.co.uk
COMPOUND PHOTONICS AIMS
TO DOUBLE WORKFORCE
The US firm which bought the troubled
former Fujitsu and RFMD plant last year
wants to double its workforce.
Compound Photonics, which acquired
the 50,000 sq ft facility on Aycliffe
Business Park in July 2013, wants to
take on 100 skilled staff to support
growth into new markets.
The move comes as the firm, which
employs 107 workers and is making
Newton Aycliffe its global headquarters,
looks to build on a successful first year
in the region.
The firm makes GaAs semiconductors
for aircraft and automotive radar
applications and driver aids.
More at www.aycliffetoday.co.uk
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‘HEXACOPTER’ TRACKS
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION
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