As Aycliffe Business approaches its ninth birthday – yes , I know , it ’ s hard to believe it ’ s been on the go for almost a decade – I ’ m delighted to report we have had to add extra pages to this issue , which I think reflects the amount of positive news going around Aycliffe Business Park at the moment .
I ’ m delighted to have taken on a new role for Aycliffe Business Park Community ( ABPC ), as its new business development manager , on a consultancy basis .
It ’ s an initial six-month contract to give me an opportunity to develop ABPC ’ s ‘ On The Map ’ project – to get more businesses registered on the ABPC website and to create more engagement among the park ’ s residents .
Please do get in touch with me if you ’ d like to register your business on the website . Email martin @ aycliffebusinesspark . co . uk .
I ’ m already a couple of months into the role and I ’ m thoroughly enjoying it !
You can read more about that on pages 14-15 .
I ’ m equally pleased to reveal that one of my jobs , as part of this role , is to rekindle the once very popular Make Your Mark awards – Aycliffe Business Park ’ s very own Oscars .
I ’ ve always been passionate about the awards and I feel the time is right to bring them back .
HELLO
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 November , and the deadline to book is 5pm on Friday , October 22 . To get involved in the next or any future issues , email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
FOREWORD FROM MARTIN WALKER
Welcome to the 53rd issue of Aycliffe Business .
So we ’ re planning to relaunch Make Your Mark at a black-tie ceremony in Redworth Hall ’ s Prince Bishop ’ s Suite next May . You can read more about that on page 9 . And there ’ s more positive news for ABPC ! We ’ ve recently added to our board of directors , with Stiller Warehousing and Distribution business development manager Thomas Prentice joining the ranks .
I know Thomas is passionate about the appearance of ABPC and has some exciting ideas to improve the local environment , so watch this space .
Speaking of the environment , J & C Coaches owner ( and Lib Dem councillor ) Nev Jones has officially launched his Keep Aycliffe Tidy campaign , with some fantastic support from Aycliffe ’ s biggest employer , Gestamp .
Read more about Keep Aycliffe Tidy on pages 30-31 .
There ’ s also lots of other exciting news to update you on since our last issue , which makes for a jam-packed edition .
We look forward to bringing you a special birthday issue in November , when Aycliffe Business will celebrate its ninth year . Get in touch if you ’ d like to get involved !
Martin Walker Editor , Aycliffe Business
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
Managing editor : Martin Walker .
Contributors to this issue : Martin Walker , Dave Robson , Paul Fraser , Sarah Burns , Nicky Jolley .
Our photographers : Chris Booth ( including cover ), Tom Banks .
Designed by KINSHIP : Call 07846186220 Email sarah @ designbykinship . co . uk
Printed by : MT Print , Darlington .
CONTENTS
Included in the September-October 2021 issue of Aycliffe Business …
05 FAMILY AFFAIR
Ambitious business leader smashes the glass ceiling with top job
11 TRAINING DRIVE
Logistics firm teams up with college to tackle driver shortage problem
27 LET ’ S DO IT RIGHT
Aycliffe-based Wix wizards outline ambitious plans after merger
28 BIG IDEAS
Stiller manager outlines ambitions as he joins Aycliffe Business Park board
30 KEEP AYCLIFFE TIDY
Businesses join forces to launch new campaign
32 EMCON RETURNS
Manufacturing show back with a bang
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 3