12 | Aycliffe Today Business
The economic development company for County Durham, delivering the environment for business and economic growth.
Your trusted guide through the business support map
Being home to one of the largest industrial estates in the country, Newton Aycliffe has always enjoyed being a successful engineering and manufacturing hub.
But the arrival of rail vehicle manufacturer Hitachi Rail Europe and the rapid growth of local companies such as Ebac and Crafter’ s Companion is ensuring that the County Durham town really is a place to do business.
A key element in its success has been the role Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham, has played – whether attracting giants of industry or supporting the growth plans of hundreds of SMEs.
This support includes advice on how to access finance or grants, access to county council services, training opportunities for staff, or identifying land and property opportunities. And it’ s also about connections, says Sarah Slaven, Business Durham’ s business development director.
“ We know there’ s a lot of support out there for businesses to help them grow but many businesses don’ t know how to access it,” says Sarah.
“ One of the key things about Business Durham is that we’ re here to help companies connect with that support. We’ re a trusted guide through the business support map which can often seem very complex.”
To ensure that businesses have support on the ground, John Parnell, business development manager, works from Aycliffe Business Park every Monday afternoon and he is soon to be joined by Lisa Wall, as part of the Durham Businesses Opportunities Programme.
Sarah also sits on the Aycliffe Business Park Community( ABPC) board, which was set up to help businesses have a voice.
Business Durham’ s business development director Sarah Slaven( right) sits on the Aycliffe Business Park Community board.
“ Our queries range from‘ can you find out how we can get a brown sign put up on the motorway’ to‘ can you find me a quarry?’” says John.“ I always say‘ whatever your question, just ask!’”
But the team is not just there to solve problems. Much of its work is in identifying opportunities for businesses.
John cites Meditek as a successful company in Aycliffe which has benefitted from Business Durham’ s pro-active support.
MediTek managing director Philip Carmedy-Pye( left) chats with Business Durham’ s John Parnell at the company’ s Newton Aycliffe site
“ Meditek has more than 15 years’ experience in designing and manufacturing stairlifts, designed specifically for domestic application,” says John.
“ Historically their route to market was through a global network of distributors but with the help of Business Durham they were able to source a loan from the North East Microloan Fund delivered by Rivers Capital, to move into direct sales. By expanding the business in this way they have also created new job opportunities.”
With the increasing importance of the rail sector in Aycliffe( Hitachi recently unveiled its first train manufactured here), Business Durham has been encouraging companies to network with the Rail Alliance.
It has helped Aycliffe companies with the European standards accreditations required in the sector and with sourcing UK suppliers instead of foreign ones for components to
“ We forge long-term partnerships with businesses, helping to accelerate the growth and see long-term sustainability”
be in a better position to supply whole higher value products or systems instead of partfinished goods. Business Durham will be working with the Rail Alliance and County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network in 2017 to support existing rail sector companies and encourage new entrants to the sector.
It’ s about networking and meeting the right people too. Business Durham has facilitated influential meetings, from the northern agent for the Bank of England meeting with ABPC to Keir Starmer, recently appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union meeting local Aycliffe businesses. It has also hosted members of the Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee at NETPark where it heard evidence from leading County Durham companies, such as Atom Bank and Hitachi Rail Europe, and the North East England Chamber of Commerce, helping to inform the Government’ s emerging industrial strategy.
Automotive continues to be an important sector in the County. In 2015, Business Durham had a stand at the SMMT( Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) Meet the Buyer event in London, taking Aycliffe companies Husqvarna and Formula Plastics to share its stand.
And on March 16 this year, Business Durham and the North East Automotive Alliance will be hosting an SME Roadshow