The voice of business in the Tees region | 87
“Tees Components’ agility
to adapt to embrace the
potential of new markets,
a rolling programme
of maintenance and
investment and the calibre
of our workforce gives us
confidence for the future.”
research and naval ships.
The thrusters sit in the hull of a ship to
improve the precision of its manoeuvrability.
They also provide an essential back-up so
that if the main engines on a vessel fail it
will be able to get back to port.
One of the vessels fitted with the pump-
jet thrusters is British Antarctic Survey ship
RRS Sir David Attenborough – which hit the
headlines after originally being christened
‘Boaty McBoat Face’ during a public naming
vote.
The company prides itself on working in
close partnership with its customers, which
involves getting to know the products as
well as they do, and helping them develop
prototypes and improve their product
design.
The offshore wind market is another of
the new sectors which has been targeted
by the company, which was founded in
1963.
Its proficiency in the offshore renewables
sector has been demonstrated by a contract
to supply the first credible ferrite-based
direct drive permanent magnet generator
(DD PMG) for wind turbines.
The innovative project, carried out on
behalf of Greenspur Renewables, is a
revolutionary technology with the capability
to reduce the cost of wind energy. The
company was contracted to manufacture
and assemble a complete prototype
250kW generator, which is now being
tested at ORE Catapult, the UK’s leading
innovation and research centre for offshore
renewable energy, at its facility in Blyth,
Northumberland.
Sharon said: “A keen focus on
diversification has enabled us to
successfully position ourselves in a range of
new markets.
“This has been achieved through
substantial investment during recent years
and having a workforce with the necessary
high level of knowledge, skills and versatility
needed to meet the evolving needs of
existing clients and to target new ones.”
High profile projects that Tees
Components has played an integral part
in since its inception include the Channel
Tunnel, Wembley Arch, Humber Bridge and
Transport for London’s Bond Street station
upgrade.
Sharon added: “Tees Components’
agility to adapt to embrace the potential
of new markets, a rolling programme of
maintenance and investment and the calibre
of our workforce gives us confidence for
the future.”
Sharon is a keen advocate of helping
shape the next generation of work-ready
teenagers on Teesside, with her and
other managers putting substantial time
and energy into mentoring local students
including offering work experience
placements, factory tours and conducting
mock interviews and giving feedback on
CVs.
She said: “As a business I do believe you
have a responsibility to do that. You can’t
sit back and expect work-ready 18-year-
olds just to turn up without taking any
responsibility as a medium-sized employer
in the region.”
Sharon, as a former engineering
apprentice, also is a great believer in this
hands-on route into the world of work and
puts this ethos at the heart of the company.
In fact, 40% of its skilled workforce started
as apprentices.
This year it has recruited an additional five
new trainees, taking the company’s current
team of apprentices to nine.
The company also works closely with
local schools and colleges to exchange
views on what educational establishments
have to offer and what businesses currently
are looking for when it comes to potential
employees.