Aycliffe Today Business AT Business Issue 37 | Page 7

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 7
/NEWS
/ADVICE
BREXIT: A DISTRACTION BUT
ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY
Hitachi and Bombardier reveal design
innovations for HS2 contract bid
I
ncreasing the enjoyment of modern train
travel and reaching new standards in
passenger experience and reliability are key
ambitions for Bombardier and Hitachi Rail’s
HS2 Rolling Stock bid.
The Bombardier/Hitachi bid team have
been setting out how they intend to build
on the design and engineering excellence of
the hugely successful train they developed
together for the Italian high speed rail
network – The Frecciarossa 1000.
The joint bid team want to build on this
successful partnership as they develop a
world class offer for the British HS2 fleet.
Once the contract has been awarded in
March 2020 the successful HS2 bidder will
be part of a collaborative design process to
shape the final product, with the interiors
and passenger offering specified by the
Department for Transport and the HS2
franchise operator.
Hitachi and Bombardier’s experts from the
UK, Italy, Japan and Germany are exploring
a wide range of innovations for what will
be Britain’s fastest ever train, running at
360km/h.
The engineers and designers are modelling
ways to make the new train lighter, quieter
and more energy efficient, combined with
features to maximise comfort and capacity.
This engineering excellence could also be
supported by a best-in-class digital offer.
Bombardier and Hitachi’s previous high
speed train – the Frecciarossa 1000, aka the
Red Arrow – has had many firsts since its
maiden ride in 2015.
Main features include increased
accessibility for wheelchair users, free
unlimited Wi-Fi technology, exceptional
seating comfort and air conditioning
distribution at floor, window and ceiling
height allowing for optimal thermal comfort.
Designed to offer flexible interior layouts,
the Italian state railways opted for four
different passenger classes aboard the train,
including Standard, Premium, Business
and Executive, which includes a boardroom
facility equipped with a meeting table and
32” monitor to display presentations.
And as well as whisking passengers to
their destination at the fastest speed in
Europe, the Frecciarossa 1000 also offers
Italian passengers great comfort and style,
with interiors produced by Bertone, the
design experts renowned for working with
Lamborghini and Aston Martin.
The Freciarrossa also led the way in
environmental sustainability by using over
90% recycled materials.
Hitachi Rail managing director Karen
Boswell said: “I have no doubt that travelling
on HS2 will be a game-changer.”
Ebac sales up
14% to £17.5m
It is frustrating and certainly an
unwelcome distraction, but as with
all situations in business, we have to
remain positive.
There have been three stages to
the Brexit process, each of them
making their own impact and causing
uncertainty, particularly around car
manufacturing.
We had the initial impact of the
referendum, then we’ve had protracted
transition period negotiations, and
assuming that is agreed, we’ve got the
new relationship still to negotiate with
the EU.
Running a business is difficult enough
without outside influences making it
even more difficult, and we also employ
a number of people from the continent,
who must surely feel a little unsettled
by the whole Brexit process.
But, unlike the financial crash of 2008,
which seemed to come from nowhere,
we have had two-and-a-half years to
prepare for this and we, like a lot of
other companies, have already tried to
make provisions.
Although I didn’t support Brexit, there’s
no denying leaving the EU creates new
opportunities.
We don’t export much, but 80% of the
cars we supply are exported, and we
also import quite a lot of our materials.
But if Brexit forces business to maybe
be more entrepreneurial and innovative,
that can’t be a bad thing.
And, ultimately, if Brexit forces UK-
based car manufacturers to source
even more British-made products
from manufacturers like us, clearly
that would bring obvious benefits in
the long-term, both for us and the
economy.
N
ewton Aycliffe manufacturer Ebac has
announced positive results for the year
ended December 2017.
The only British company to produce
washing machines, founded more than
40 years ago by Brexit-backing North East
engineer John Elliott, who now serves as
its executive chairman, recorded a profit of
£362,216 in the year ending December 31
2017, up from £327,663 the previous year.
The company’s turnover grew to
£17,507,319 from £15,338,277 in the same
year.
Building from 2015 the company again
increased retail distribution for its domestic
dehumidifier range, which ultimately led to
greater sales. Sales of watercoolers also
Uncertainty continues to cast a shadow
over manufacturers as our government
tries to negotiate its way out of the
European Union – and this continues to
have an impact on companies like us.
exceeded those of 2016.
Mr Elliott said: “This is another positive set
of results, building on the progress made last
year.
“Despite the tough current trading
conditions, we are reaping the rewards of our
long-term investment plans. The company
has introduced new products, including
washing machines, to the market and will
continue to innovative and fly the flag for
British manufacturing.”
As long as there’s an appetite to
make cars in Britain, then second-tier
suppliers like us should prevail and,
indeed, thrive in a post-Brexit Britain.
So, even as a Remainer, I’m cautiously
optimistic as we approach the exit
stage in March 2019.
James Goodliffe
Managing director, Formula Plastics