Sponsored by UKSE
JOB CREATION
SMES( 51-250 EMPLOYEES)
FINALIST
Elite Energy Eco
Stockton
All smiles – Lewis McDonald receives the category award from UKSE’ s Sarah Thorpe.
WINNER
SeAH Wind UK
73 jobs created – 304 % growth A firm that clinched the Job Creation VelociTees for SMEs has already grown too big to qualify for the same award next year.
When figures for the last financial year were compiled, windfarm monopile factory SeAH Wind UK had risen from 24 employees to 97 – a 304 % increase.
But with the SME category open for firms with 51-250 employees, SeAH will be out of the running next year – because it’ s now employing 350.
It’ s encouraging growth for the company, which is part of Korean corporation SeAH Steel Holdings.
And despite well-publicised“ teething troubles” over recent months, the factory still aims to employ 750 people at its vast Teesworks facility, which stands 810m long, 200m wide and rises 40m high.
Accepting the Job Creation SME trophy, SeAH Wind UK marketing and PR executive Lewis McDonald said that recruiting in the local area was“ massive” for the firm.
He told the audience:“ We’ re looking to create up to 750 jobs once in full production and we’ re up to 350 now, with 89 % from the Tees Valley and 96 % from the North-East.
“ It’ s massive growth and brings back highly skilled jobs to the area, so it’ s great for the region and great for the business as well.”
Once production is underway, the vast factory will produce monopiles for offshore wind turbines – effectively the foundations linking the seabed to the turbines.
Lewis added:“ Our mission was to bring local jobs to Teesside and to win this award shows we’ re getting there.”
SPONSOR’ S MESSAGE:
Sarah Thorpe, regional manager, UKSE At UKSE, our mission is simple – we back businesses that create jobs and strengthen local economies. We believe that sustainable growth starts with opportunity and opportunity starts with employment. That’ s why supporting an award that recognises job creation isn’ t just appropriate for us, it goes right to the heart of what we stand for.
Job creation takes courage. It requires vision. It means committing to growth even in uncertain times and that’ s why this award matters. It celebrates businesses that don’ t stand still and businesses that move forward and bring others with them. UKSE is proud to sponsor this award because it highlights the kind of enterprise we exist to support – responsible, ambitious businesses that understand success isn’ t only measured by profit but by the opportunities they create.
24 jobs created – 57 % growth Elite Energy Eco specialises in renewable energy and government-backed funding schemes, giving homeowners access to free boiler grants, air source heat pumps, insulation and other energyefficient solutions.
Its story began more than two decades ago as Robert Shaw Plumbing and Heating. But since then, through innovation, customer trust and operational excellence, it has scaled rapidly while driving the transition to clean energy and creating long-term value for its customers, communities and workforce.
And by helping drive such government schemes as ECO4 and GBIS, it ensures UK homes benefit from modern, affordable and environmentally-friendly heating solutions.
FINALIST
Outrank
Middlesbrough
27 jobs created – 112 % growth A leading specialist local search digital marketing agency, Outrank’ s services include integrated SEO, content, social and paid marketing services.
Combining smart insight, creativity and technical expertise, Outrank helps SMEs earn exceptional digital coverage.
Outrank has offices strategically located in Riverside Park Middlesbrough, and satellite offices in Edinburgh and London. Its impressive job creation figures have been driven by 43 % revenue growth, a 94 % client retention rate and reinvesting more than £ 450,000 back into the business, helping to ensure its expansion from specialist local SEO into a fully integrated digital marketing agency with across-the-board services.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 129