It gives me great pleasure to present what is a landmark , 50th issue of Aycliffe Business .
Originally launched as Aycliffe Today Business in November 2012 , hundreds of names and faces from around Aycliffe Business Park have featured in these pages over the last eight-plus years .
It ’ s fair to say there have been plenty of ups and downs over the years – none more so than the last 12 months .
But there is light at the end of the tunnel , and we look forward to hopefully coming out of this pandemic soon – although there ’ ll undoubtedly still be challenges ahead as many businesses deal with the fall-out of Covid , and Brexit .
It particularly pleasing that – for this special edition – we feature Hitachi Rail as our cover feature .
Our freelance writer Peter Barron has written an in-depth piece with Ross Nagle , Hitachi Rail ’ s chief operating officer for Rolling Stock UK , and our photographer Graeme Rowatt has captured some stunning images from within Hitachi ’ s wonderful factory .
We also feature an interview with local Tory
FOREWORD FROM MARTIN WALKER
Welcome to the 50th issue of Aycliffe Business .
MP Paul Howell , who – we ’ re thrilled to say – has taken up constituency residency on the business park . His office is in Sydney House – the former Newton Press buildings named after Syd Howarth – which were originally built as munitions factories for the ‘ Aycliffe Angels ’ during the war effort .
There continues to be lots of positive news emanating from around Aycliffe Business Park – with construction of the new Station Place development beginning to Business Durham ’ s Covid Recovery Fund benefiting six Aycliffe firms ( at the time of going to press ).
We ’ ve also asked four Aycliffe business leaders for their thoughts on chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s Spring budget , which brought two major headline-grabbing announcements for the Tees Valley and North-East region .
I hope you enjoy this issue . Please do get in touch if you ’ d like to share your good news – email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
We ’ ll be back in May with the 51st issue of Aycliffe Business .
Martin Walker Editor , Aycliffe Business
CONTENTS
Included in the March- April 2021 issue of Aycliffe Business …
09 BACK ON TRACK
Growth plans back on track as publisher makes new appointment
11 ON TRAQ
Cloud-based solution revolutionises workflow for plant hire firm
13 COVID SUPPORT
Six Aycliffe firms benefit from £ 200k + Covid recovery funding
16 MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
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 nearby hotels , restaurants and conference centres .
Our next issue will be out in early May , and the deadline to book is 5pm on Friday May 7 . 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 , Ian Willis , Martin Walker , Mark Wilkinson , .
Our photographers : Graeme Rowatt ( including cover ), Chris Booth .
Designed by KINSHIP : Call 07846186220 | Email sarah @ designbykinship . co . uk
Printed by : MT Print , Darlington .
EXCLUSIVE : Interview and pictures inside Hitachi Rail with boss Ross Nagle
20 THE MP NEXT DOOR
How Paul Howell has made Aycliffe Business Park his home
22 BUDGET RESPONSE
Aycliffe businesses give their reaction to the Spring 2021 budget
29 DIGITAL SHOWCASE
Supply Chain North East event to promote region ’ s SMEs
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3