Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business issue 33 | Page 3

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3 INCLUDED IN THE MARCH- APRIL 2018 ISSUE OF AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS… WELCOME /09 ROMAN’S WARRIOR Roman’s contract sales director Marc Teasdale has celebrated 30 years with the Aycliffe-based shower manufacturer... GUEST FOREWORD: from James Ritchie T Welcome to the 33rd issue of Aycliffe Today Business – the magazine for Aycliffe Business Park. he awards season is very much upon us, and I for one can’t emphasise enough the importance of all businesses getting involved in them. We were recently named Company of the Year at Subsea UK’s annual awards, which was enormous recognition for us at Tekmar and something we’re extremely proud of (read more about that on page 7!). In recent years we diversified from the oil and gas sector to the offshore wind energy sector, and that move alienated us a little from the oil and gas sector. When we tried to re-enter that market, it was met with some resistance, so to win a prestigious award like this, in front of 600 leading people from that industry, was a huge win for us – and we were really taken aback. It showed that our decision to position ourselves in what we see as one global energy sector, to include oil and gas and wind energy, has certainly paid off. In the past we’ve also won an Export award at the North East Business Awards, while we’ve also won the Export and Company of the Year awards at previous Make Your Mark evenings here on Aycliffe Business Park. The morale boost it gives to your company really is tangible – to all your stakeholders, your clients, your suppliers, and, most importantly, your staff. When I’ve seen other companies win awards it has spurred me to want to be on that stage picking up awards and getting recognition for your company and employees. You can read more about this year’s Make Your Mark, the categories and how to enter on pages 18 and 19. /18-19 GO FOR IT! PWS boss John Lennon has laid down the gauntlet to Aycliffe businesses and is urging them to enter this year’s Make Your Mark awards competition... As usual there’s lot of other exciting news and features in this latest issue of Aycliffe Today Business, featuring the likes of PWS, Hitachi Rail, Crafter’s Companion, Finley Structures and Commercial Expert, to name a few, as well as an update on some of Aycliffe Business Park Community’s latest events. I always enjoy flicking through the pages of our local business magazine and finding out about all the great things we’re achieving – both individually as businesses but also collectively as one business park. Long may that continue. /22-23 GROWTH STRATEGY Aycliffe businesses benefit from exclusive new workshops... James Ritchie CEO, Tekmar Energy I really can’t underestimate how important it is to enter these awards, and I’d urge all companies on Aycliffe Business Park to get involved in Make Your Mark. Aycliffe Today AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS Aycliffe Today Business is Newton Aycliffe’s only business publication, which is mailed exclusively to companies on Aycliffe Business Park. Launched in November 2012, we provide firms with a unique platform to tell everyone about their services and success stories in our prestigious, high-quality publication. /26-27 ONE DECADE ON Business. Business. The magazine for Aycliffe COMPLIMENTARY Aycliffe Today Business Park www.aycliffetoday.co.uk The magazine for Aycliffe R 2017 k | ISSUE 31: NOVEMBER-DECEMBE | martin@aycliffet oday.co.u COMPLIMENTARY Business Park www.aycliffetoday.co.uk | [email protected] k | ISSUE 32: JANUARY-FEBRUARY ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: AVEC PARTNERSHIP School support firm expands Aycliffe offices... to new STILLER Work starts on new £2m distribution centre... ONEGYM Staying ahead of the game £75,000 investment... with WINNING FORMULA celebrate Injection moulding specialists Park... Business record year on Aycliffe ARCHER TAKES AIM 2018 Commercial Expert celebrates 10th anniversary with Leeds expansion – part of £1m sales ambition... EXCLUSIVE: We talk to Business Durham’s new managing director Brian Archer about his ambitions for the county... For All Your Festive Celebrations Visit our website to view all our December menus www.thecountyaycliffevillage.com Aycliffe Village Bookings Now Being Taken Call us on 01325 312273 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: STEPH MCGOVERN BBC Breakfast business editor praises work of SWDT... SCHOOL OF STEEL Aycliffe youngsters sign steel beams made to build new school... 2017 REVIEW A look back on another eventful year for Aycliffe Business Park... With an estimated readership of more than 8,000, copies are mailed direct to every company on our database, and the rest are distributed by hand across the park as well as nearby hotels, restaurants and conference centres. Our next issue will be out in May 2018. The booking deadline to book space is Friday April 20, so get in touch with us if you want to get involved. Email [email protected] to ask for our rate card. Aycliffe Today Business | www.aycliffetoday.co.uk Units 8-9, Parson’s Court, Welbury Way, Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham DL5 6ZE Published & distributed by: Mantis Media Ltd, www.mantis-media.com Editor: Martin Walker | Tel: [phone] | Mobile: [phone] Email: [email protected] Designed by KINSHIP: Call 07846186220 | Email [email protected] Contributors to this issue: Martin Walker, James Ritchie, Rachael Farley, Sara Davies. Photography: Martin Walker. /30-31 COFFEE BREAK Fleet Recruitment boss Neil O’Connor answers our 20 questions over a cuppa...