WELCOME
FOREWORD By John Elliott
It was a pleasant surprise when
I was asked to write the guest
foreword for this edition of
Aycliffe Today Business.
We work in a thriving environment, and I know
this magazine has already proved to be a very
popular new feature.
It is enabling us to communicate with one
another in a sophisticated way, and I for one
have enjoyed reading the first two issues.
This one, I can tell you, is even better!
The number of pages have already increased
from 16 to 20. Interest in both the editorial
content, as well as advertising demand, is
picking up issue-on-issue. The amount of
work that’s gone on sure seems to be reaping
rewards.
The launch of the Aycliffe Business Park group
and website, www.aycliffebusinesspark.co.uk,
is certainly topical, and the main feature in this
issue covers efforts by one of our neighbours,
Phil Harrop, to help tidy up the estate.
There are more pages of news editorial,
containing some interesting features and a
couple of guest columns from completely
different industries. It’s also interesting to
read about some of the work HPM Group
is doing – one of the region’s biggest media
firms which, believe it or not, is right on our
doorstep here in Aycliffe!
Ebac relocated to Aycliffe Business Park
four years ago to enable the continued
development of the group, and it’s safe to say
it’s been a sound business move with both
turnover and profits rising.
/03
WELCOME
Ebac Group chairman John Elliott
pens our special guest foreword
for this issue…
/04
NEWS
CONTENTS
Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 3
HPM Group and Mantis Media
a “formidable partnership”
4G Winners announced
Plus, an exclusive guest
column from Gregg Little
As you’ll all know, last year we announced
plans to bring washing machine manufacturing
back to the UK, and back to Aycliffe.
/05
NEWS
It’s a challenging but exciting venture which
we believe will double our workforce from
200 to 400 over the next few years. During
my 50 years in manufacturing, the trend has
been for jobs to be lost in the North-East. It is
refreshing, therefore, to have this chance to
bring sustainable jobs to County Durham.
Water’s the Word!
The fact we’re doing this on Aycliffe Business
Park is testament to the town, County
Durham as a whole and the workforce
in this region.
Furthermore I have absolutely no doubt
that we in the North-East have the capacity
to make a much bigger contribution to a
successful UK economy, but it needs a
complete rethink at government level on
unbalanced global trade, that is causing the
current global financial crisis.
Let’s hope we all grow from
strength-to-strength.
Regards
John Elliott
Chairman, Ebac Group
That’s the beauty of this publication – it
highlights a number of companies, and things,
that we didn’t already know, and that’s great.
AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS
Aycliffe Today Business is Newton Aycliffe’s first and ONLY specific
Business-to-Business magazine, distributed across Aycliffe Business Park.
We provide companies with a unique platform to tell everyone about their
services in what is a classy, business-like magazine as well as a handy
reference and marketing tool.
Time running out for
Regional Growth Fund
Plus, an exclusive guest column from
BNI Executive Director Russ Sawdon
/06
NEWS
MP praise for “innovative”
Apprenticeship incentive
Also, we introduce the Linden Group
/07
NEWS
Business leaders urge football backing
Paula relishing Hitachi challenge
/09
NEWS
Business Durham praise “stunning”
Auckland Castle work
HPM Group invests in visual
communications
/10
IRON MAN
Workshop Supplies partner Phil Harrop
talks about his biggest challenge yet…
/13
NEWS
Apprentices key to unlock potential
Our next issue will be out in May, and we’re taking orders for advertising now, so get in touch.
Staff inspired by Kyran’s story
We’re also keen on carrying good editorial content, as well as advertisements.
Mastering innovation at NETPark
Our trained journalists can write your copy, while our professional designers can help to put your ads
together, so we can help you every step of the way.
/15
COMPANY FOCUS
Aycliffe Today Business… a quality magazine for a quality Business Park.
Produced by: Mantis Media, www.mantis-media.com
Designed by: NEON, www.youareneon.co.uk
Printed and distributed by: HPM Group, www.hpm.uk.com
Email: [email protected] | Advertising: [email protected] | Editor: Martin Walker
Tel: 01325 728024 | Mobile: 07826 525907 | Email: [email protected]
Contributors to this issue: John Elliott, Gregg Little, Russ Sawdon, Brodie Millichap
Photography: Cover and feature pics by Keith Taylor, other pictures by Martin Walker
We talk to an ambitious new firm which
relocated to Aycliffe from Darlington last
August
/16-18
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
A useful guide to who’s who
on Aycliffe Business Park…
Follow us on Twitter @aycliffetoday