/ NEWS The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 11
David Land joins Ebac to drive washing machine growth
Well-known manufacturing specialist and former Gestamp Tallent boss David
Land has joined Aycliffe firm Ebac. Land has been appointed as managing director to drive further growth at the Aycliffe Business Park firm, which is the only British company to produce washing machines, dehumidifiers and water coolers.
His remit is to work with the senior management team to deliver a business plan that will facilitate further growth across the product range, with particular emphasis on washing machines, while Ebac says it is also planning the launch of two new products later this year.
With 27 years’ experience in business development, Land is currently the chairman of the County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network( CDEMN). He is also on the board of the North-East LEP.
Aycliffe Today understands Land is working three days a week with Ebac.
The firm’ s chairman John Elliott said:“ David’ s role will be to focus on the delivery of our strategy that will fulfil Ebac’ s growth
An IT company has enjoyed its best quarter yet after seeing revenue increase by 29 % to cap a memorable 2017. razorblue last year rolled out new wireless technology across Aycliffe Business Park which provides cost-effective super-fast internet access with speeds of up to 1,000 MB,.
The Catterick-based firm has also created a new account management team, expanded and improved its service desk and continued to recruit new staff throughout the year as the business has grown and taken on new clients.
The company expects to turn over in excess
potential and achieve the trustees’ aims.”
Land has spent his career in the automotive sector where he guided a local company into a major industry player.
Using his extensive experience, he is now actively involved with many business groups to promote and support the growth of manufacturing in the North East.
He also mentors businesses in the region and was one of the founder members of the region’ s first University Technical College.
IT firm targets £ 4.5m sales after‘ best ever’ quarter
of £ 4.5m this year and continue to create more jobs in the region.
In the last 12 months razorblue has increased its staff numbers to over 50 to assist with its growth plans, and also celebrated a year at its Wynyard office. razorblue expects to sustain similar levels of growth in the coming year with the recent launch of a new managed IT security product for its clients.
Managing director Dan Kitchen said:“ We are looking forward to an even better 2018 as we remain true to our core principle of putting client needs first.”
/ ADVICE
HOW TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
Engaging with your local community is both beneficial for your business and very rewarding. In this digital age, it’ s so simple to connect nationwide – and even worldwide – making it all-too easy to forget the community we have on our doorsteps.
So why should we look closer to home and engage with, and give back to, our local community?
Shop local
Despite the rise of online shopping, many people still like to shop local – they want to interact with someone at the point of purchase.
By embedding yourself with the locals, you’ ll get insider knowledge on what the local community wants to buy, so you can really target your offerings accordingly.
Active
Being an active member of your local community will raise your company’ s profile, bringing increased footfall and helping to boost sales. After all, the people living in your local area are the ones who are going to come through the door, so it’ s definitely worth spending some resources closer to home.
Online
If you don’ t have a physical store, use your online presence to tailor offers to people in your region. You could create a themed offer to tie in with a local event, award or celebration. If a local charitable group is celebrating an anniversary, you could put together packages to match their brand, with a percentage from sales going to their cause. If you have a local sports team, you could sponsor them, or run a fundraising event.
Promote
Whatever you plan, make sure you promote it well. Get in touch with local publications with the details and promote through local social media groups. Be sure to put posters up in your community centre and local churches, and think about doing leaflet drops or direct mail promotions to your closest postcodes.
It may seem like a lot of effort to engage with your local community, but remember how important those personal relationships are, and enjoy getting to know the locals, as they get to know you and your brand!
Sara Davies MBE Founder, Crafter’ s Companion