HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE
OF TEES BUSINESS:
WELCOME
FOREWORD from Martin Walker
Welcome to a three-year anniversary edition of Tees Business
– the business magazine for the Tees region.
O
ur decision three years ago to launch a
publication dedicated to covering the
Tees business scene was, at the time,
considered somewhat of a gamble.
We created Tees Business despite
being warned that the print industry was
in a downward decline, and that we should
concentrate on digital.
A strong online presence was always
going to be important, which is why we also
launched the only website dedicated to Tees
business news, and the region’s only weekly
business e-newsletter, sent to a growing B2B
database of 1,200 subscribers.
But my business partner Dave Allan and I
were confident there remained a big gap in the
market for a high-quality magazine dedicated
to the niche Tees business sector. Quite
simply, no one else was covering it, North-East
magazines were focused on Tyneside and our
local businesses were getting a bum deal.
Now, after three years of Talking Up
Teesside, we’re already 13 issues in, with
each and every edition relentlessly banging the
drum for Teesside businesses, large and small.
So far we’ve printed 744 pages of positive
news, publicising well over 1,000 Tees
companies of all shapes and sizes, because we
believe it’s vital to be inclusive, not exclusive.
To coin a well-known slogan, we’re for the
many, not the few. In this issue alone you’ll see
mention of no fewer than 180 local businesses.
Each issue of Tees Business is mailed
directly to hundreds of businesses and
individuals across the Tees region, from the
influential movers and shakers, to small
businesses we believe will enjoy and value an
insight into the local business scene.
It goes to all our local authorities, including
Tees Valley Combined Authority, and the
councils of Stockton, Middlesbrough,
Hartlepool, Redcar & Cleveland and Darlington.
Tees Business also goes to Whitehall.
We send every copy to all Teesside MPs at
Westminster, as well as Tees Valley mayor Ben
Houchen.
And we circulate copies to all corners of
the Teesside business community, including
business hubs, conference centres, hotels and
restaurants.
Now, we’re delighted to say we’ve increased
our circulation from 5,000 to 6,000 to allow us
to expand into Darlington.
We’re a small team but we’re a local
business that wants to celebrate the
successes of our fellow Tees businesses, and
we’re passionate about supporting the amazing
local business scene.
Like you, we’re Teesside and proud of it –
and we’re proud to be #TalkingUpTeesside.
Martin Walker
Co-editor, Tees Business
TALKING UP YOUR BUSINESS
W
ant to reach potential customers
throughout the Tees region?
We’d love to help.
Tees Business is delivered FREE to
the Tees region’s business communities
of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar &
Cleveland, Hartlepool, Stokesley, Wynyard
and now Darlington too.
Out every quarter, our high-quality
magazine is dedicated to shouting out for
the businesses of our region – and we’ve
now increased our circulation to 6,000.
See our website teesbusiness.co.uk
for our Media Pack with full details of our
packages, starting from just £245 + vat.
We also offer flash banner advertising
on the Tees region’s only weekly enews
from just £195 + vat.
Our trained journalists can write your
editorials, while our professional designers
can help to create eye-catching adverts.
Even photography is included at no extra
charge.
If you’d like to hear more,
call us on 01642 450255 or email
[email protected]
Tees Business | www.teesbusiness.co.uk
Boho Four Gibson House, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough, TS2 1AY
Tel: 01642 450255 | Email: [email protected]
Published & distributed by: Resolution Media & Publishing Ltd
www.resolutionpublishing.co.uk
Co-editors: Martin Walker and Dave Allan
Designed by: KINSHIP, [email protected]
Contributors to this issue: Dave Allan, Martin Walker, Ben Houchen, Michael
McGeary, Danielle Croce, Harry Pearson.
Photography credits: Martin Walker (including cover and feature), Doug Moody,
Dave Allan.
16
BACK TO THE FUTURE
SABIC director’s vision for return to
Wilton site’s glory days.
20
THE ROBOTS ARE COMING
Meet the man who has applied his
mind to two of the most innovative
Tees businesses.
36
TEES UP!
We share a cuppa with the driving
force of Porsche Centre Teesside.
38
TAKING SECURITY
TO THE NEXT LEVEL
The amazing life story of the man
behind a thriving local security firm
56
THE TEES
BUSINESSWOMEN AWARDS
Opportunities to sponsor and enter the
first ever awards for the Tees region’s
businesswomen.
/TeesBusiness
@Tees_Business
58
INSPIRATION STATION
Council r eveals train of thought for
major rail renovation.