FEATURE
Welcoming – Wilton Centre’ s modern reception area.
YOU’ RE WELCOME
WORDS: PHILIP TALLENTIRE
Wilton Centre is home from home for an increasing number of cutting-edge companies
There’ s no doubt about it, Wilton Centre is the des res for firms looking for the ideal premises located in the beating heart of a resurgent Teesside.
Situated in a stunning 75-acre landscaped park, the bespoke research and development site is the place to go for businesses that are key to the region’ s central role in the burgeoning net zero sector.
Site director Steve Duffield believes Wilton Centre’ s long-established chemical and engineering links are key to its continued success.
“ Wilton Centre has come from a background of chemistry and the chemical industry, and the research and science has gone hand-in-hand with that,” he explains.“ But there was also a very strong engineering aspect to the site because big chemistry requires engineering.
“ Another important factor is what’ s happening on Teesside in terms of renewables and net zero. We have started to become the go-to place for companies involved in that growing sector.”
Wilton Centre has welcomed four significant new arrivals over the past few months directly involved in that sector, including PBS, which opened its new regional base on Teesside this summer.
The firm supports onshore and offshore oil and gas sectors, delivering integrated services across complex and highly regulated industrial environments.
ASCO Net Zero, which supports the development of Teesside as a major UK hub for offshore wind, carbon capture, hydrogen and other energy-transition
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industries, moved into Wilton Centre in April.
Its neighbours include R & A Kay Inspection Services Ltd( RAK), an engineering inspection and asset integrity business that supports the region’ s major process industries, including chemicals, petrochemicals, industrial gases, energy and utilities.
And there’ s also Alpha Health & Safety Training Solutions Ltd, which serves the construction, engineering, industrial and maintenance sectors.
Staff employed by those incoming companies receive a warm welcome or, as Steve likes to put it,“ a soft landing”.
“ We do try and make it as easy as possible for people that come here,” he says.“ We settle them in and give them all the information that they need.
“ And when people get settled in, we have a centralised helpdesk so that if anybody needs help or advice, they can just contact us and we take it from there.”
Wilton Centre also looks after the employers’ day-to-day requirements.
“ I like to say that we take away the‘ niffnaff and trivia’ and that allows companies to focus on what their core business is,” Steve added.
Here’ s what four very satisfied businesses have to say about life at Wilton Centre …“ RAK have had an office located on the Wilton International Site since 2007 and due to our growth, we needed new premises that maintained our presence on the Wilton International Site. Wilton Centre was shortlisted and subsequently chosen due to the outstanding office spaces,
Picturesque – the centre is set in a 75-acre landscaped park.
parking, building maintenance, meeting rooms, break out areas and restaurants.” Ian Dennis, inspection & quality manager, Rak Inspection Services
“ We were very impressed with the modern office building, the location and the onsite facilities offered. The reception area is very welcoming and friendly and will be perfect for greeting our guests to attend for meetings and training days.” Megan Reed, office manager, Alpha Health & Safety Training Solutions Ltd
“ ASCO Group chose to open our new regional office in Wilton Centre due to its strategic location at the centre of several major projects currently in progress and due to commence in the local area, hosting both project teams, contractors and supply chain. The bonus to Wilton Centre is its fantastic facilities and grounds, flexible approach and supportive staff.” Ryan Thompson, business development manager( Central UK), ASCO Group
“ PBS chose Wilton Centre for its location at the heart of Teesside’ s industrial and energy sector, offering excellent opportunities for collaboration and growth, alongside a great range of amenities and a supportive business environment.” Richie Colley, business development manager, Ponticelli UK