46 | Tees Business
TEES TALK
Dr Stan Higgins, CEO, NEPIC
“Teesside’s industry is hugely dependent
on the chemistry-based process industries.
NEPIC represents about 50% of the UK
industry.
“The chemical and pharmaceutical
businesses in the UK contribute £75m of
added value every single working day –
that’s £20 billion a year - to the UK’s gross
domestic product.
“Chemistry-based industries are the
nation’s number one manufacturing exporter.
60% of the chemical sector’s exports
go directly to Europe so the EU is vitally
important to Teesside. It’s no wonder the
North East is the only net exporting region of
the whole UK economy.”
Keith Miller, managing director, Ecco
Finishing Supplies
“As far as I’m concerned, Europe’s always
going to be important for my business and
many others. Europe is our closest and most
easily accessible overseas market so doing
business with them makes sense and it’s
absolutely important that we stay in the EU.
“Ecco deal very regularly with businesses
in Holland, we have a long-standing
association with Sweden and we also do
business with those in Germany, France, Italy
and Norway.
“What I will say is that it’s important we
retain our currency – the English pound is our
brand, our identity.”
Darren Hankey, principal at Hartlepool
College of Further Education
“The North East is the only region in the UK
to export more than it imports and Teesside
contributes a great deal to this.
“The vast majority of this positive balance
of trade is with the EU, and our ports and
airports afford effective and efficient access
to this market which has a population of over
450 million.
“With this in mind, the EU is important
to business on Teesside. That said, reforms
and improvements can always be made
and a close eye needs to be kept on the
situation in Greece and the wider potential
ramifications.”
Tom Blenkinsop MP, Labour,
Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland
“Remaining in the EU is crucial for Teesside,
its economy and its people. We have core
industries that are linked insolubly to Europe
in terms of trade.
“We have the third largest port in tonnage
terms in the UK and any look at the shipping
movements will show how they link to
continental deep water ports like Antwerp
and Rotterdam.
“Out of Europe, we would be left on a
limb. In a world where there are three huge
trading groups - the US, China and the
BRIC’s - we cannot stand aside from our
neighbours.”
With prime minister David Cameron promising
an in-out referendum for Britain’s future in the
European Union, this issue’s talking point asks is the
EU important for Teesside?
Chris McDonald, CEO at Materials
Processing Institute
“Like many businesses in Teesside, the
Materials Processing Institute is international,
with customers and suppliers, from across
the world, but particularly in the EU. For us,
the EU is important for investment, exports
and especially for innovation.
“By supporting innovation, the EU helps
our industries to be competitive with the rest
of the world.”
Matthew Ord, Senior Account Manager International Trade, NECC
“Though Teesside has suffered
disproportionately from local government
cuts, it is benefiting from EU funds. A crucial
£1bn is allocated for projects over the next
six years in the North East, including those
targeting transport infrastructure, supporting
small businesses and international trade
support.
“Further, for an area so successful in
exports, the EU region remains crucial - many
businesses want to remain part of a single
market.
“From talking to our members in Teesside,
it is clear that they feel passionately that
reform, rather than further integration or
outright withdrawal, is most likely to deliver
business and economic benefits to the
region.”
Terry Goldspink, managing director,
Evolution Forwarding
“The EU is massively important to our area
for export growth. Our largest customer is
Europe. Without free trade between the two,
we would see export sales stifled, so it’s
crucial we remain in the EU.
“Coming out of it wouldn’t directly
damage my business but it would damage
my customers’ businesses, which would
have an adverse effect on mine. Ultimately,
if goods were not in free circulation, it would
mean our European customers would look
elsewhere.”
James Wharton MP, Conservative,
Stockton South
“There will be few bigger political decisions
in our lifetimes than that before the end of
2015 concerning our membership of the
European Union. There is a majority in the
world of business for remaining within,
but a significant minority who see our best
interests being served outside.
“I am not yet prepared to make a
recommendation to the people I represent,
since the negotiations are far from complete.
The process of seeking change for a fairer
and more competitive Europe is detailed,
complex and subtle.
“The European family, as all families, is
varied and demanding, but is capable of
delivering a better relationship with Britain.”