MIDDLESBROUGH NEWS
Focus – MD Paul Johnson says Johnson Partners is entering a ‘ transitional growth phase ’.
Tees firm buys subsea solutions business
Middlesbrough ’ s RTS Wind Group , a global leader in the wind energy industry , has acquired a majority stake in offshore energy equipment manufacturer Subsea Energy Solutions ( SES ).
The acquisition will kick-start the next phase of growth within SES , which has seen rapid expansion growth because of the success of its patented SUB-FLEX product , a cable protection system for the floating wind industry .
As part of the transaction , Ryan Henderson , Les Nutter , Ken Ritson and Simon Wyles from Ventus Energy will bring insight and experience to SES , identifying synergies between both companies .
Ventus Energy was itself acquired by Topp Holdings Group , which owns RTS Wind Group , in March .
TEES FREIGHT FIRM REVEALS GROWTH PLANS
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Middlesbrough freight forwarding company says the experience gained from nearly 20 years in business has helped shape its plans for growth . Johnson Partners is well-placed to take advantage of developments in the Teesside economy such as Teesworks and the freeport .
At the heart of the firm ’ s strategy is a focus on certain types of customers – including those in the manufacturing , engineering and heavy industry sectors .
Last year , for example , the Middlesbrough-based firm organised the shipment from China to Tata Steel ’ s Port Talbot steelworks in the UK of more than 380 tonnes of sinter cars , cooler trays and accessories .
With much of the cargo too wide for standard containers at 335cms , it was a complex task and had to be shipped on
a roll-on , roll-off vessel . But thanks to the firm ’ s meticulous planning and operational endeavour , the operation went ahead as planned .
Such case studies , says MD Paul Johnson , “ show we can do what we say we can do and that customers are pleased with the service they get .”
Johnson Partners was founded by Paul ’ s dad , Bernie Johnson , in 2004 , with Paul taking over as MD on Bernie ’ s retirement in 2016 .
Paul says the firm is now entering a “ transitional growing phase ”, focusing particularly on industrial customers and online retailers looking to import .
But it remains a proudly Teesside-based firm – and even has links with renowned Middlesbrough artist Mackenzie Thorpe , having carefully arranged shipment of one of his sculptures to Oklahoma in the United States .
Plans agreed for town centre transformation
Middlesbrough ’ s development corporation board has signed off a bright new vision for the town ’ s future .
The board has approved the Middlesbrough Development Corporation masterplan , which aims to make the area “ bold , industrious and open for business ”.
Created with stakeholders and partners , it sets out its plans to target the key areas of Gresham , the town centre , the area around Middlesbrough station , Middlehaven and St Hilda ’ s .
It aims to build 1,500 new homes , attract up to 4,000 new jobs and create a town centre to be proud of , with better streets , spaces and places where people want to spend time .
176 | Tees Business
Port owner welcomes royalty
Teesside logistics firm AV Dawson welcomed royalty to the Port of Middlesbrough as it celebrated its journey towards net zero and marked the restoration of a piece of the firm ’ s history .
Accompanied by Jo Ropner , Lord- Lieutenant of North Yorkshire , HRH The Duke of Gloucester and the royal delegation were given a tour of AV Dawson ’ s new head office , The Staiths .
Gary Dawson , AV Dawson ’ s chairman , said the firm was “ incredibly honoured ” to welcome the royal party to the Port of Middlesbrough .
The Duke of Gloucester and Lord- Lieutenant also met AV Dawson staff , including a recent apprentice HGV driver and the board of directors .
AXA moves into Centre Square offices
An insurance giant has moved into a brandnew office in the heart of Middlesbrough .
A ribbon-cutting ceremony with Middlesbrough mayor and Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member Chris Cooke marked AXA UK moving into Six Centre Square .
The firm is taking up more than half the space in the 40,000-sq ft building – hosting more than 500 staff .
The keys for the Grade A office space , built by developer Ashall Projects , were handed over to the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Tees Valley mayor in February .
The TVCA has put £ 9.7m into the fourstorey block , while Middlesbrough Council contributed £ 2m of its £ 21.9m Towns Fund allocation .