NEWS
The company ’ s logo is seen around the world on the jerseys of cycling team Ribble Weldtite .
It ’ s not all been routine riding for John , as he chatted in the boardroom at Durata ’ s HQ with protection around his wrist .
He said : “ I looked to my right , had a momentary lapse , and went straight over the handlebars . I ended up down a pot-hole and tried to correct it . I suffered fractured ribs and I ’ ve got a titanium plate in my wrist .”
The cycling effect is rubbing off on employees as well . Jasmine Smith , a buyer , has jumped on the bike in a bid to be part of Durata ’ s team that takes part in Butterwick Hospice ’ s Big Bike Ride .
Jasmine said : “ I did six miles and I hadn ’ t ridden a bike for 10 years . My first lap at Middlesbrough Sports Village was a bit wobbly and felt like I was on stabilisers . But I am doing two hours once a week , building it . I want to do it for the challenge and the great cause .”
As well as being down the side of Ribble Weldtite riders ’ clothing as they race around the country , Durata can also be seen above the numbers on the back of Hartlepool United ’ s new away shirt in
Sky Bet League Two .
“ What ’ s good about that is I talk about Pools every Sunday morning with my mate in the gym who supports them ,” said Andy . “ I have always had a connection with Hartlepool , playing football in the town , and it was a happy accident how we got involved .
“ Watching them come up through the play-offs was amazing . I want to play for them now ! It ’ s great . ( Hartlepoolsupporting Sky Sports presenter ) Jeff Stelling might give us a shout out one week .”
Andy , now 56 , once played football at Northern League level and still turns out for the over-40s . John and Andy ’ s determination to stay fit is passed on to the employees of Durata , which produces containerised modular data centres and electrical switchrooms globally .
“ I am one of the oldest in the company but one of the fittest ,” said Stockton-born Andy . “ We joke about having the best diets in the company . We try to instil that into the people who work for us .
“ I want to encourage fitness and health . You don ’ t hear about us eating rubbish . I eat sardines and everyone hates them here : sardines on toast every day .”
Despite the global network the company serves , it is clearly important to the firm ’ s management that it remembers its Teesside roots . Durata recently opened a bespoke unit on Darlington ’ s Cleveland Trading Estate .
“ Ali has put Durata on the map in this area , where opportunities haven ’ t always been there for us ,” said John . “ The sporting contact is great , but we are supporting businesses like this to show we are serious about the area too .”
And Andy added : “ We have tradesmen here , from Teesside , who have seen the world . We are all a team here and they have come on leaps and bounds .
“ The high unemployment in the area has created an opportunity for skilled trades . We have wanted to help locally and aid people to give them an opportunity to succeed and we are proud of that . We just have to work on them eating more healthily too !”
For more information on Durata , check out duratauk . com
The voice of business in the Tees region | 89