Tees Business Tees Business issue 19 | Page 11

The voice of business in the Tees region | 11 /NEWS BUSINESS BITES AWARD FOR BORO FIRM Another honour – Bill Scott OBE, boss of Wilton Engineering which has been named as one of the UK’s top 100 exporters in a prestigious league table ranking small and medium-sized private businesses with the fastest growing international sales. Wilton named as UK’s 13th fastest growing SME exporter W ilton Engineering has been named as one of the UK’s top 100 exporters in a prestigious league table ranking small and medium-sized private businesses with the fastest growing international sales. The Tees Valley-based company is ranked 13th in the fifth annual Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100. Wilton’s position was achieved on the back of its diversification from its traditional oil and gas markets into the offshore renewables sector, most notably the delivery of 7,000 tonnes of steel offshore wind turbine transition pieces for German customer SteelWind. From its 54-acre site on the banks of the River Tees, which is home to some of the UK’s largest construction halls, Wilton produced 21 transition pieces, each weighing 340-tonnes, for Ørsted’s Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm. The company provides multi-discipline engineering services, specialising in engineering design, fabrication and construction, analysis and coatings and services for the onshore and offshore energy industries. This latest accolade follows on from the company receiving a Board of Trade Award from the Department of International Trade. Announced by the Secretary of State, Liam Fox, the Board of Trade awards recognise companies that have made an outstanding contribution to UK exports. At the same time, Wilton CEO Bill Scott OBE was named as an Export Champion as part of the Department for International Trade’s campaign to encourage and inspire businesses to export internationally. “Achieving such a high position in the SME Export Track 100 is recognition of the exceptional skills, dedication and commitment of our team at Wilton and our sister business Universal Coatings,” said Scott. “It also demonstrates the opportunities that the offshore wind industry is creating for quality UK SME firms that have the capabilities and experience to deliver complex projects on time and on budget.” £29.5M ADULT EDUCATION BUDGET IS DEVOLVED TO REGION T he Tees Valley mayor and combined authority have officially taken control of an annual devolved budget of around £29.5m to deliver adult education provision across the region. To mark the event, the mayor visited Stockton training provider DTN Academy, which provides a comprehensive learning experience for the Telecommunications industry, including local firms such as Map Group, for its adult training open day. He was joined by Cllr Bob Cook, the combined authority’s cabinet lead for education, employment and skills, to meet DTN Academy’s Business and Quality director Roy Fraser, Map Group CEO Mike Carlin and a number of residents who are looking to access adult training. As part of the Government’s devolution Training – Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen with Mike Carlin, Cllr Cook, Roy Fraser and trainees at DTN Academy. agenda, areas with Metro Mayors have been granted control over the post- 19 adult education budgets, alongside powers covering delivery and performance management. This is the first time Tees Valley will have control of this budget, and it is one of only seven areas in the country with the powers. A business founded by two Teesside University aerospace engineering students has won a prestigious entrepreneurial award. Middlesbrough-based StratoBooster has been recognised at The Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Awards 2019. The awards are presented to students or graduates who have displayed remarkable entrepreneurship whilst at university by creating a business or social enterprise. TWO MORE LOCAL DEALS Teesside International Airport has continued to hire locally-based companies with two new appointments. The airport has hired Stockton- based ROVIN Environmental to provide specialist waste removal services. Tees-based Tindle’s Chartered Accountants has also been appointed to manage the airport’s payroll services. The airport’s payroll was previously managed out of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. RECOGNITION FOR NUFFIELD A leading health provider which operates on Teesside has picked up the award for Private Hospital Group of the Year for the third time at the Health Investor Awards 2019. Won by Nuffield Health, the award is designed to recognise outstanding contribution to healthcare over the past 12 months, through innovation and excellence in healthcare products and services. STOCKTON FIRM’S LAKES CONTRACT A Tees Valley-based provider of rope access services has secured a deal to support a significant infrastructure project in the Lake District. Stockton-based Total Solutions, in partnership with Cubby Construction, is working on the final phase of the development that will help create the new multi-user trail between Keswick and Threlkeld, which was severely damaged by Storm Desmond during December 2015. Stokesley-headquartered Quorn – specialists in meat alternative products – saw a 7% rise in sales to £220m in its latest accounts. The firm, which opened a new manufacturing facility in Billingham last year, employs around 800 people and exports to 20 countries. #TalkingUpTeesside #TalkingUpTeesValley