PBP NEWS The Newsletter for Peterlee Business Park
SPONSORED BY
Issue 18 | March-April 2018
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
ONGOING SPONSORSHIP COMMITTED FOR ANOTHER YEAR BUSINESSES who sponsor the Peterlee Business Park Group are being thanked for their ongoing support. The group, which is part funded by Business Durham, relies on the generosity of local companies who are prepared to financially support activities. Without their help, it would not be possible for the group to maintain the likes of PBP News, the peterleebusiness.co.uk website, marketing materials to showcase the area and social media platforms. Business Durham, East Durham College and GEM Premium People have all recently renewed annual sponsorship deals, whilst others including NSK, ZF, The HR Dept Durham & Darlington, Novares and Profound Services provide regular ongoing contributions.
Leanne English, managing director of LEC Communications and Design, sits on the Peterlee Business Park steering group. She said: “We couldn’t do what we do for the area’s business community without the support of companies willing to contribute financially either as a sponsor or a bulk advertiser. “The likes of GEM Premium People and Profound have supported us from day one and it was their willingness to help that allowed the group to build momentum, which in turn enabled us to increase our offering to businesses and attract additional sponsors. “Of course, the sponsorship we receive now isn’t guaranteed so if there any other companies in the area that would like to get involved, we’d love to have a chat with you”.
SEAWARD FOUNDER HAS DIED AGED 66 FORMER owner of Seaward Electronic, Rod Taylor, has died after a three-year battle with cancer aged 66.
Rod Taylor
Mr Taylor launched the company, which is now regarded as a market leader in the manufacture of electronic test and measurement instruments,
in 1982. It now employs 170 people from its offices on the South West Industrial Estate, and was acquired by German company Metrawatt in 2015.
stages of his career working for companies including Aquatronics and Sperry Rand, before he branched out on his own, making test equipment.
Mr Taylor was born in Kenya to Scottish parents and settled in the North East in the 1960s. An engineer by trade, he spent the early
He then launched Seaward with the help of his father, and quickly established the business, supplying to over 60 countries worldwide.
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PBP NEWS HEADLINES
PROFOUND SIGNS NEW APPRENTICESHIP DEAL
Dave Cole
LOCAL training provider Profound Group has teamed up with national wholesaler, LWC Drinks, to manage its apprenticeship programme across the country. Following on from their Outstanding Ofsted success last year, the Profound Group is going from strength to strength, working with yet another big employer, not just in this region but across the UK. Dave Cole, Head of Human Resources at LWC,
said “I am delighted to announce that LWC have teamed up with Profound to manage our National Apprenticeship Program. “This bespoke program offers a combination of on and off the job learning and training, designed to help apprentices gain the right skills and knowledge needed to succeed. “Throughout our apprenticeship scheme, we offer ongoing support from a dedicated Training Adviser, who’ll be with you every
step of your journey ensuring you reach your fullest potential!” Tony Marshall, Levy Business Partner at Profound Group, added: “LWC are a great company to work for and committed to giving young people the best possible start to their careers with an outstanding support network. “We are thrilled to be working with LWC on their Apprenticeship programme.”
EDBS TEAMS UP WITH
VIRGIN MONEY
FOUNDATION EAST Durham Business Service (EDBS) has been awarded funding from the Virgin Money Foundation to support unemployed young people living in East Durham.
The Nurturing Skills, Developing Futures Programme has launched to tackle the wide range of barriers to employment young people face. EDBS will run 1-to-1 and group sessions allowing each person to gain the required support. Simon Naisbett
The aim of the programme
is to help young people gain sustainable employment or an apprenticeship and will run throughout 2018. The service is fully funded and available to anyone living in East Durham aged 18-25 who is looking to gain employment.
Simon Naisbett from EDBS said. He said: “We are looking for young people, who have perhaps left school or dropped out of college for whatever reason, who are keen to start an apprenticeship or secure full time employment.”
PBP NEWS HEADLINES
INCUBATOR ZONE SET TO
COUNTY DURHAM
SUPPORT MORE BUSINESSES ENGINEERING SECTOR ‘THRIVING’ AS FIRMS CELEBRATE SUCCESS
ENGINEERING and manufacturing companies from across County Durham are being given a helping hand thanks to a network created to support growth within the sectors. County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network (CDEMN) was launched two years ago to support these key industries, which make a multi-million pound contribution to the area’s economy each year. And now, CDEMN has hit the 200-member milestone, with many more companies across the county being indirectly supported through the organisation’s links with funding and business support groups.
The DBOP team L-R: Guy Bashford, Lisa Wall, Pam Reynolds, Michael Harriott
EXHIBITORS who participated in a new programme at the region’s biggest engineering and manufacturing expo have secured more than 10 new contracts worth over £200,000 between them.
“Applications for this year’s Incubator Zone will open officially in April, when the show’s 2018 website launches, but firms looking to get ahead of the game can speak to us here at LEC by emailing leanne@lecc.co.uk.”
And now, the programme has confirmed for another two years.
STRENGTH TO STRENGTH FOR GRAEME
been
Twenty one companies from across County Durham signed up to the very first Incubator Zone at the 2017 Durham Oktoberfest event. Several exhibitors have confirmed they have converted leads into business. Peterlee security and storage company Steadfast Group said they are on the verge of converting two new sizeable contracts; Bishop Auckland-based bespoke box manufacturer JSB Enterprises have added three new companies to their portfolio; and supplier of safety products, Nusafe, have won work with a large automotive manufacturer. Other Incubator Zone exhibitors who have either won work or are in the process of securing contracts are Bespoke Electrical, Protech City and Quality Hydraulics. The Incubator Zone is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund and is co-managed by Business Durham’s Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP) and Peterlee based LEC Communications & Design. Leanne
English,
MD
of
LEC,
said:
Graeme Carter
Also among those who won business as a result of the Incubator Zone are Shred Direct, whose owner Graeme Carter completed a project with a North East engineering company and has quoted for two more contracts. Graeme said: “We made some excellent contacts and have already completed work with engineering company Hiatco to shred a lot of their confidential paperwork. “We probably wouldn’t have exhibited had it not been for the support of the Incubator Zone programme, and we’d definitely recommend it to businesses looking to grow.” Since the event in October, Graeme has taken on an apprentice to add to his growing team, and moved into an office at Novus Business Centre here on Peterlee Business Park.
Ben Gilhespy (front) with David Land and MP Phil Wilson
Ben Gilhespy is Operations Director at CDEMN. He said: “County Durham’s engineering and manufacturing sectors are thriving, with many companies within the sectors growing not only here in the region, but nationally and, in many cases, internationally. “It’s our job to ensure this growth continues, but also that we’re doing everything possible to engage with those smaller companies who perhaps have ambitions to grow but need a push in the right direction. There is so much support out there to help businesses, but we appreciate many firms think tapping into it is too time consuming or complicated. We’re here to make the process easier so that they can realise their full potential.” CDEMN has also been boosted by the growth of its affiliate membership network. Lloyds Banking Group and telecoms and IT solutions reseller CCS Mobile have both signed up, joining the likes of law firm Muckle LLP, recruitment specialist Jackson Hogg, chartered accountants Tait Walker and training provider Sora who all work with CDEMN to offer bespoke support to the network’s members.
JOBS & EMPLOYMENT
GEM OPENS NEW
TRAINING DIVISION Bethan Rennard, Andrew McKenna and Tanya English
GEM Partnership, which already includes Premium People, Professional Services and Talent Search divisions, has added GEM Training to its portfolio of services. The move enables the company to offer bespoke training with the primary objective of placing delegates into work, while at the same time ensuring that candidates with the right skills are available to fill vacancies. The company, which is based in the same office as GEM Premium People, is being headed up by an experienced team of learning and development specialists, who have worked in the training industry for many years. Two trainers have been recruited, while other staff have been seconded into roles until the company is
established, when further positions are expected to be created. Tanya English is one of the new trainers, and said: “I am excited to be involved with GEM Training - it’s a key addition to GEM’s portfolio and means we’re now able to support our clients through every stage of the recruitment process. “But what sets us apart is that our offering is about recruiting for the end user rather than simply for training, and even in the very early days we have seen success with candidates moving into employment. “Our business model works because there are real jobs available and what we’re promising is that our services are bespoke to the individual client – it’s about finding the right person for the right job.”
EMPLOYMENT LEVELS INCREASING
FASTEST IN THE NORTH EAST EMPLOYMENT levels in the region are increasing at a faster rate than anywhere else in the country, statistics say. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the number of people working in our region rose by 0.8 per cent in the period between August and October 2017, compared to the previous three months. Employment consists of employees, selfemployed people, unpaid family workers and people on government supported training and employment programmes. And while optimism is cautious due to a low estimate three months prior to the review period, the employment rate in the North East is gradually increasing each quarter. Recruitment specialist GEM Premium People
is also experiencing an upward trend in the number of positions being recruited for, and in turn the number entering into employment. Operations Director Maria Miller said: “There is certainly cause for optimism as far as the regional employment picture looks. Although the latest increase is small, it is the highest anywhere in the country compared to the previous three months, and continues the consistent increase in employment rates that the region has experienced over the last year. “At GEM we’re certainly seeing a willingness among our client base to recruit at all levels, for temporary and permanent positions, while there also remains a steady level of training and apprenticeship-based opportunities for those people who perhaps haven’t been employed before or are looking for a change of direction. “The aim now is to ensure employment levels in the North East continue to grow during 2018, and that we’re doing everything we can to support those people not yet in employment to get a foot on the career ladder.”
The latest ONS report includes an overview of unemployment, employment and economic inactivity for County Durham for the 12-month period up to July 2017. It shows that there are 240,600 people employed (1.4 per cent higher than the regional rate), 25,800 are selfemployed and over 14,000 unemployed The report states there are 256,500 people classed as economically inactive, who aren’t in employment but do not meet the definition of unemployment because they have not been seeking work within the last four weeks and/ or are unable to start work within two weeks. Maria added: “There have been some real highlights for County Durham, with many companies adding to their workforce. “A key factor in the continuous increase in the number of people employed in the North East is access to the right skills and that’s something we’ll be looking closely at over the next 12 months – it’s a priority for us to ensure we have a deep and diverse talent pool to draw on to fulfil our clients’ expectations and facilitate their own plans for growth.”
EDUCATION & TRAINING
COLLEGE LAUNCHES
BIZ-STARTUP SCHEME in an occupational area that may enable them to become self-employed. Qualifications may include construction, hairdressing, beauty therapy and floristry.
EAST Durham College has launched a new programme, Biz-Startup Central, designed to give young entrepreneurs the support they need to start up their own business.
As part of the scheme, those attending will receive valuable experience and advice from professional business staff at East Durham college. Biz-Startup Central offers professional coaching in many different aspects of business, including business model and plan writing/development, support and assistance with identifying funding, finding gaps in the market, identifying customers and advice with managing finances and cash flow.
The programme is open to unemployed young people age 16-24 from County Durham who have previously gained a Level 2 qualification
Lee Jones, Enterprise Coach at East Durham College and lead on the Biz-Startup Central scheme, said: “The programme at EDC gives
young people a chance to become their own boss and bring their business vision to life.
“We hope to increase interest in business startups across the County Durham area and we believe that the Biz-Startup Central programme will give those with practical qualifications the best training and advice they’ll need as they start up their own businesses.” The new programme will be running on a regular rolling basis throughout the year at East Durham College’s Peterlee campus. The programme runs for a minimum of six weeks, one day a week. To further support those interested in the course, East Durham College is also able to help with costs by providing a lunch allowance, travel expenses, reimbursements for childcare costs and also by providing any personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the young person during the scheme.
Creating Outstanding Futures Apprenticeships with East Durham College Why choose EDC: Expert staff with up to date knowledge, skills and experience Professional recruitment service structured around your business needs Outstanding practical training facilities Flexible delivery to suit your business
Our priority is to provide capable and committed apprentices who can help to drive your business forward.
Apprenticeships available in: Accountancy Administration/Customer Service Agriculture Animal Care Beauty Therapy Bricklaying Engineering
Floristry Hairdressing/Barbering Health & Social Care Horse Care Horticulture Manufacturing Plastering Warehousing & Storage
To find out more or to arrange a tour of our outstanding facilities, please call 0191 518 5587or email emma.norbury@eastdurham.ac.uk
‘We’re in business for business’ 5/6/17 EDC - Peterlee Business Park - Business Funding & Support Event A5 ad £10.00.indd 1
05/06/2017 15:34
SEAHAM NEWS
FLYING
HIGH AT SPECTRUM
COMPANIES thinking of moving to Seaham’s bustling business community won’t believe their eyes when they see the stunning new images from Spectrum Business Park. The park’s developer, Paul Wellstead, recently invested in some brand new drone photography, which has been made available to tenants to promote the breathtaking surroundings of one of the region’s fastestgrowing places to do business. Paul Wellstead said: “Our area has so much to offer potential investors and companies who are looking for a new location to grow. These shots really do showcase the area and what a fantastic place it is to do business.” Take a look at these views of the park, just a stone’s throw from the magnificent Seaham coastline, by visiting the Seaham Business Park website.
TRAINS COULD NEW BUSINESS
GRANT FUNDING
BRING NEW JOBS
PARK TO OPEN?
FOR MORALBOX
A TRAIN company is to open a large production site in County Durham and create 30 specialist engineering jobs over the next three years.
THE FIRST businesses could finally be up and running by this time next year on a business park plot which has stood empty since work first began a decade ago.
A NEW investment fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners, has completed its first incubator investment in Seaham-based tech firm Moralbox.
Vivarail has been attracted by the region’s highly-skilled labour pool and is investing up to £100,000 in its new plant on the Spectrum Business Park, near Seaham, where it will assemble components to power refurbished trains previously run on the London Underground network.
And it is hoped the site could mirror the success of the neighbouring Spectrum Business Park, located just a mile away in Seaham.
The £40k investment will help Moralbox to further develop the technology platform’s functionality, enabling the business to enter new markets, promote the software, and employ a full time sales team.
It joins a growing number of rail engineering companies and suppliers operating in the region as it sees a resurgence in the industry. Chief executive Adrian Shooter, former chairman of Chiltern Railways, said the production facility, expected to be operational in January, will further strengthen the region’s rail industry and benefit its wider supply chain.
Work on Jade Business Park, behind Dalton Park in Murton, began in 2007 and was finished in 2011 with the completion of what was then known as the East Durham Link Road. Now, after a number of false starts, the new team behind it says environmental studies have been finished and now plan to carry out further investigations to confirm there are good ground conditions. This will mean work can then begin on constructing buildings for business.
Get more Seaham news at seahambusiness.co.uk
Finance Durham was launched earlier this year by Business Durham, the economic development organisation for County Durham, on behalf of Durham County Council. Based at Spectrum Business Park, Moralbox has designed a web-based software platform that creates a centralised training and certification profile of each employee, helping employers to analyse and manage training records and certification programmes.
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PBP NEWS
NEW BUSINESS DURHAM
BOSS ANNOUNCED
AUXILLIS ACHIEVES
BETTER HEALTH AT WORK
Brian Archer
THE NEW managing director of the economic development organisation for County Durham will be looking to build on the excellent progress made by its team.
PBP-BASED contact centre firm Auxillis have achieved the Better Health at Work Bronze Award, which promotes a healthy workplace and aims to improve the wellbeing of employees.
Brian Archer joined Business Durham in December, where he will also build on existing relationships with partners and stakeholders.
In order to achieve the Bronze Award companies need to meet 9 set criteria including: raising health awareness through a minimum of 3 health campaigns or events, promoting positive mental health and healthy eating and encourage harm reduction around the use of tobacco. Most businesses take up to 12 months to demonstrate they’ve met the standard, however Auxillis managed it in only 5 months.
Brian, from Leeds, is the former business development director for a FTSE 250 company, has been chief executive of two Business Links and was recently commercial director of Leeds City College Group. He has also run his own business which gives him the insight to understand the needs of start-ups and SMEs. Brian said: “I believe there’s a wider role for business to not only generate prosperity but to change lives by creating new opportunities and raising aspirations. Business Durham is already making that happen and I look forward to supporting and leading the team as they continue to find innovative ways to help businesses in County Durham thrive and grow. I see this role as an exciting opportunity to make a difference.”
The team began working towards the Award in June 2017, led by Ruth Maher in Human Resources and Lead Health Advocate, Wendy Wilson, who both put in a tremendous effort to improve the health and wellbeing of all Peterlee employees. Wendy Wilson of Auxillis said: “We’re extremely proud to have achieved the Bronze award after making so many positive changes across the contact centre. The improvements have been so well received and have truly helped people make better lifestyle choices.”
ENCORE PACKAGING
AWARDED MAJOR INDUSTRY STANDARD
Encore’s Laura Croisdale and Barry Davidson
A PBP-BASED supplier of packaging has been awarded the BRC Global Standard’s highest grade following an extensive audit process.
been designed to assist in the production of safe packaging materials as well as managing product quality to meet customers’ requirements.
Encore Packaging Solutions hopes the impressive accreditation will enable the company to expand.
Encore’s group environmental and quality manager, Laura Croisdale, said: “To achieve AA grade in our first audit by BRC is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees.
The BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, the first packaging standard in the world to be recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarking committee, has
0191 587 8165 | info@peterleebusiness.co.uk | www.peterleebusiness.co.uk
In line with BRC Global Standard’s requirements, Encore will have its next audit in 12 months.
Peterlee Business Park Group, working in association with: