4 | Aycliffe Today Business
BUSINESS BRIEFS
JDP EXPANDS TO SHEFFIELD
A Newton Aycliffe construction company has opened a centre in Sheffield that has already helped boost business by 25 per cent over a short space of time.
The expansion at JDP Contracting Services was part of the business plan when a management buy-out of the company headed by Chris Hyde, managing director, was backed by a significant six-figure equity investment from UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary.
The company is the largest specialist roofline contractor in the North with 22 years of experience. It employs about 40 people at its County Durham HQ in Newton Aycliffe and 12 new jobs have now been created at Sheffield.
MOBILE ROCK. IT MOVES TO AYCLIFFE
Online software and mobile applications developer Mobile Rock. it is planning to hire five new staff, following a move to Newton Aycliffe.
The firm secured a £ 150k commercial mortgage from HSBC and also received a grant from the Teesside’ s Lets Grow Fund but needed additional finance from HSBCs to finalise the purchase.
The business, which was based in Stockton but has now relocated to Aycliffe Business Park, services over 500 clients including many in the education sector.
CRAFT BOSS AWARDED MBE
Crafter’ s Companion founder Sara Davies has been appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire( MBE) in the Her Majesty’ s Birthday 2016 Honours List.
This is the latest and greatest accolade for the 32-year-old Durham-born entrepreneur who has taken her craft supplies company from a universitybedroom start-up to an international market-leading business in just 11 years.
Her fast-growing organisation specialises in the production and supply of crafting tools and products which are also sold online via its website, on TV shopping channels across the world and by independent retailers.
See our Coffee Break feature with Sara Davies on pages 30-31.
AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS
Aycliffe Today Business is the only business magazine for Newton Aycliffe and Aycliffe Business Park, which is mailed exclusively to companies on the park and has a readership of 8,000.
We’ re now working on issue number 24, due out in September, with space available from £ 75 a month.
Contact us today on 01325 728024 or email martin @ aycliffetoday. co. uk
£ 12m boost for Gestamp Tallent
Car parts manufacturer Gestamp Tallent has received a £ 12m investment boost from the European Investment Bank.
The Newton Aycliffe-based firm supplies some of the biggest names in the automotive industry including Nissan, Honda, Jaguar and Land Rover with components including specialised chassis and suspension products.
This new investment from the EU’ s lending arm will allow the automotive firm to expand its advanced manufacturing and material bonding processes which it co-develops with its clients.
Gestamp employs more than 1,300 staff at its Aycliffe Business Park base completed a major £ 11m expansion to its plant last year. Jonathan Taylor, European Investment
Bank Vice President, said:“ The European
County Durham has been named one of the top five areas in the country for business start-ups to excel.
Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions has named the area third in the UK after 1,180 businesses were set up under the Government’ s New Enterprise Allowance programme in the county.
In County Durham, four enterprise agencies worked together to deliver the New Enterprise Allowance Programme, as members of the North East Enterprise Agency, in partnership with JobCentrePlus, which provided financial support to the businesses.
Joe Murray, of CDC Enterprise Agency, said:“ It’ s fantastic to see that County Durham’ s enterprising spirit is alive and well within our communities.
Investment bank has a strong track record supporting investment to strengthen the world class leadership of UK industry.
“ We are pleased to continue our cooperation with the UK automotive sector to finance significant new investment by GestampTallent in Newton Aycliffe.”
The funding marks further investment from the EIB in the region, following the £ 100m provided to Newcastle University’ s capital development programme, £ 330m for investment by Nissan in Sunderland and £ 250m for investment by Northern Powergrid and backing for upgrading 12 schools.
County Durham named one of UK’ s top five start-up areas
“ We’ ve supported a wide range of individuals from all walks of life who have found themselves out of work in recent times.
“ The support of the agencies along with the generous assistance of our dedicated volunteer mentors gives new businesses in the county the best possible start.”
Sarah Slaven, business development director with Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham, said:“ As these enterprising individuals show, there are so many people with an entrepreneur inside them and great ideas, and with the right support that we have here in County Durham, their hobbies and interests can become thriving businesses.”