It continues to be a strange and challenging time for businesses , so it gives us great pleasure to bring you the first Aycliffe Business of 2021 , which is packed full of positive news and features from around Aycliffe Business Park and beyond . There has never been a more uncertain time for business , with Brexit and now Covid stifling progress and , in some sad cases , causing collapse .
So that ’ s why it ’ s even more important now , more than ever , that we shout about the positive news and champion the progress that is being made .
There are lots of examples in this issue of some businesses doing some amazing things , to not just survive , but thrive .
Necessity is the mother of invention , as the saying goes , and many companies and entrepreneurial business leaders have adapted , and found new ways to keep their head above water – or , in many cases , continue to flourish . Sara Davies is a name that has appeared in these pages many times before , but the way her Crafter ’ s Companion team have evolved , by creating Crafter ’ s TV , is a prime example of this innovation . They ’ re now beaming craft classes to millions of people around the world , right here from their new purpose-built TV studio in Aycliffe .
ALM Engineering Solutions , from their Heighington Lane premises , have branched out
FOREWORD FROM MARTIN WALKER
Welcome to the 49th issue of Aycliffe Business .
to launch Cobots Online , offering an extensive range of collaborative robots , which you can also read about in this issue .
Stiller Warehousing and Distribution have tapped into the now rapidly-expanding home delivery market , with Amazon keeping them busy – so much so , in fact , that they ’ ve had to take on two separate premises for extra warehousing . As a result , their sales are up and they ’ re recruiting 25 new staff .
Hitachi Rail will soon be revealing full details of a multi-million pound investment at their Aycliffe factory , and Gestamp Tallent are launching three new products this year .
We ’ ve seen the launch of INEOS ’ hand sanitiser plant in Aycliffe , Tekmar continue to win major offshore contracts and Finley Structures are currently working on their largest ever contract , the 3,200-tonne Milburngate development in Durham city . 3M have done all right during the pandemic , too . So it isn ’ t all bad news ! Let ’ s hope all our neighbours on Aycliffe Business Park can continue their great work – and , for those finding life hard right now , hopefully they ’ ll soon see better days ahead .
I hope you enjoy this issue – we ’ ll be back in April with the landmark 50th issue of Aycliffe Business .
Martin Walker Editor , Aycliffe Business
CONTENTS
Included in the January- February 2021 issue of Aycliffe Business …
5 TECH VISION
Excelpoint continues growth with senior appointments
10 PEOPLE POWER
Make human intelligence your competitive advantage in 2021
15 TALKING COBOTICS
Aycliffe firm is primed for the explosion in demand for collaborative robots
16 DEEP COMMITMENT
We talk exclusively to Frans Calje – CEO of Teesport operator PD Ports
21 LIGHTS , CAMERA …
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS
Aycliffe 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 .
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 to nearby hotels , restaurants and conference centres .
Our next issue will be out in early April , and the deadline to book is 5pm on Friday March 12 . To get involved in the next or any future issues , email sharon @ aycliffetoday . co . uk
Aycliffe Business Units 8-9 , Parson ’ s Court , Welbury Way , Aycliffe Business Park , Newton Aycliffe , Co . Durham DL5 6ZE
www . aycliffetoday . co . uk
Published & distributed by Mantis Media Ltd : www . mantis-media . com
Business manager : Sharon Hutchinson Tel : 01325 728024 Mobile : 07940 870310 Email : sharon @ aycliffetoday . co . uk
Managing Editor : Martin Walker .
Contributors to this issue : Peter Barron , Dave Robson , Martin Walker , Arron Stoutt , Ben Healey .
Our photographers : Graeme Rowatt ( including cover ), Chris Booth .
Designed by KINSHIP : Call 07846186220 Email sarah @ designbykinship . co . uk
Printed by : MT Print , Darlington .
Crafter ’ s Companion converts part of Aycliffe site into TV studio
23 JOBS DRIVE
Stiller recruiting 25 new roles as sales grow to £ 16.1m
25 RAZOR BOOST
IT firm continues rapid growth with senior Microsoft appointment
28 AWARDS BUZZ
Third annual Tees Businesswomen Awards is a huge hit despite pandemic
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3