This Is Tees Valley - Issue 3 | Page 65

STOCKTON-ON-TEES LAW
Together with other local stakeholders , we help attract and support investments that are enabling Teesside to achieve its potential .”
“ The region also provides access to a skills base from which we can procure many of the goods and services we need from local providers .
“ Teesside is a prime location for renewables projects , and we hope the local authorities and business leaders will continue to work together to provide a supportive landing pad for investors .
“ Having WBD support us on elements of our project has been incredibly valuable – both our legal team in Korea and our team in the UK have relied on them for support in handling high-value and challenging projects .
“ Their support goes beyond the delivery of legal advice to include connecting us with their network of contacts that can help our project succeed and offering support on a personal level for our international teams relocating to the region .”
LOCAL PRESENCE With its reputation as a global centre of excellence for carbon neutral clean growth , and its ability to support a truly circular economy , it is not surprising that Teesside is such an attractive proposition for new investors .
It also continues to attract investment from businesses that have been proud to call the region their home for many years .
Alpek Polyester UK , the UK ’ s only manufacturer of PET ( the 100 per cent recyclable resin used to make bottles ) has seen various investments and developments , including the construction of a new plant and the development of processes that help to address the sustainability challenges faced by plastics manufacturers across the globe .
John Baker , Alpek Polyester UK HSEQ and technology director , said : “ We have a supportive and close-knit industrial community on Teesside , bolstered by sector trade associations and local authorities and a professional services community that understand what businesses need .
“ WBD have played an active role in that for many years , and it was a happy coincidence that their transatlantic team were already known to our owners in the US when they acquired us back in 2019 , as well as by our team at Wilton .
“ They act as a genuine extension to our legal team in the US . They also provide the local presence and access to the full range of sector specialists our commercial and operational teams need .”
COMMITMENT TO THE REGION Peter Snaith , partner and head of WBD ’ s Teesside practice , said : “ International businesses understandably often turn to professional advisers in London as their point of entry .
“ Our colleagues in our London office work with our team on Teesside to provide a seamless service .
“ We also connect regularly with our teams in the States to promote the unique industrial ecosystem on Teesside and to encourage increased inward investment , as well as support for export business .”
SeAH and Alpek are fitting examples of businesses with a commitment to the region that understand the benefits of being located here .
Sarah Daun , another partner in WBD ' s Teesside practice , added : “ It ’ s great to be supporting businesses that play such a significant role in the local and national economy , and that are at the forefront of industry efforts to achieve net zero .
“ Together with other local stakeholders , we help attract and support investments that are enabling Teesside to achieve its potential .”
WBD is set up to offer the only option for inward investors that need a full-service law firm with a combination of local knowledge and expertise in specialist areas such as site acquisition , planning , permitting , environmental and other regulatory support , as well as access to grid connections , pipelines and other infrastructure that is developing on Teesside to support a worldleading energy and renewables industry . The firm is proud to play its part in ensuring the region ’ s continued growth .
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