PBP NEWS The Newsletter for Peterlee Business Park
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Issue 12 | September-October 2016
PBP GROUP ACTIVITIES TO EXPAND TO SEAHAM
Paul Wellstead, the man behind Spectrum Business Park, has agreed to join the steering group and is also sponsoring the development of seahambusiness.co.uk. Pictured: Paul Wellstead
SEAHAM’S thriving business community is being given a boost with the launch of a new networking and support group. Seaham Business Park Group is being created to help drive the continued growth of Spectrum Business Park, Foxcover Enterprise Park and Seaham Grange Industrial Estate. It is being set up by the team who run PBP, spearheaded by Business Durham, and will launch at a breakfast event in October. Leanne English, managing director of LEC Consultancy, who sits on the current PBP steering group, said: “The existing group at Peterlee has expanded and we’ve already had a lot of businesses from Seaham come on board with what we’re doing, so launching in the area was the natural next step. “We’ve worked so hard to create a business community in Peterlee and we’ve succeeded because companies of all sizes have supported our efforts. For the group to work in Seaham, we need to same buy in. It will only work if the desire is there and early indications are it is.”
Other business representatives from Seaham, who are willing to play an active role in efforts to develop the network, are now being sought. Paul Wellstead said: “There’s no doubt as
a business location Seaham is going from strength to strength. We’re attracting more and more companies into the area, who between them are creating hundreds of jobs and bringing millions of pounds of investment. “By working together, I believe we can achieve what’s been done in Peterlee and really put Seaham on the map as one of the region’s leading business locations.”
KAREEN JOINS PBP GROUP PETERLEE Business Park Group has welcomed Kareen James-Rawson onto its steering group. Kareen, HR Manager at Mecaplast, said: “I am delighted to join the steering group and play my part in the continued growth of our business community.
Chairman Steve Metcalfe said: “With her wealth of experience and business contacts, Kareen will be a real asset to our group and we’re delighted she has agreed to join us.”
“These are exciting times for our businesses, with many including Mecaplast expanding and creating jobs for people in the area. “What the existing steering group members have achieved should not be underestimated and I am looking forward to enhancing the good work currently being done.”
Pictured: Kareen JamesRawson
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PBP NEWS HEADLINES
PBP NETWORKING IS THE RECIPE
FOR SUCCESS FOR CHARLTONS A FLEDGLING food business, that regularly serves up tasty grub at PBP networking events, has recorded significant growth and has just taken on an apprentice. Family-run Charltons opened on PBP in February and has since gone from strength to strength. Orders for corporate, community and private events have streamed steadily in, with visits to their takeaway ‘hatch’ growing week on week. The increase in business saw Charltons take on an apprentice, Nicola Croft, 19, who started work at the Lister Road unit in July. Co-owner Michael Charlton said: “We’ve been delighted with the response to our food and service from customers, which has seen us grow at a very healthy rate since we moved here in February.
Pictured: Michael Charlton
“We were getting busier and busier all the time and decided to take on Nicola, who is doing an apprenticeship in hospitality and catering.” Pictured: Suzanne Duncan
Pictured (L-R): Mecaplast’s Dale Atherton, Simon Varley and Michael Butler
COLLEGE EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP EAST Durham College has extended its partnership with Peterlee Business Park Group for a further year.
MAJOR NEW CONTRACT WIN FOR EXPANDING COMPANY MECAPLAST A PBP manufacturing firm has invested over £3.5m in new equipment and staff development following a major new contract win from Jaguar Landrover. Automotive parts supplier, Mecaplast, has purchased four new injection moulding machines, ranging from 800 to 2,300 tonnes, and formed a partnership with Access Training to upskill and develop its growing management team. The firm will start making parts for Jaguar Landrover vehicles in early 2017. The business has doubled in size in the last two years, going from 75 employees to 150
and doubling its turnover due to a significant contract win from Nissan to supply parts for the Qashqai. General manager UK for Mecaplast, David Cann, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Jaguar Landrover and we have several other new contracts in the pipeline. The business is going from strength to strength. “Our recent fast expansion required a restructure which saw the addition of new members of staff and changes of responsibility for others. We want our people to grow with the business and we are fully committed to investing in our staff.”
The college, which has been heavily involved with the local business community from the outset, has committed additional funding to become a main sponsor of the PBP website. The college will also host a Network With Your Neighbour event, which will be open to businesses across Peterlee and the wider region. Principal Suzanne Duncan said: “It is vital that we work closely with businesses in the area as our students could be their future employers. “Our long-standing partnership with the PBP Group has enabled us to learn more about what companies require, and how we can ensure our students have the skills they’re looking for, so I’m delighted we have extended our partnership until at least 2017.”
PBP NEWS HEADLINES
Pictured: Rob Dunbar
LAST CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED IN CAREERWISE LATER this year, we will publish our second themed newsletter, which will aim to tackle the gap between leaving school and finding employment for East Durham teenagers. ‘Careerwise’ is being produced with Richard Allnut - a careers adviser who runs a business called Careerwave and spoke at the PBP apprenticeship event. Thanks to key sponsorship from PBP companies including ZF TRW, Seaward Electronic and East Durham College, the newsletter will be a massive 16 pages and will go out to school leavers and their parents across East Durham.
Pictured: Courtney Million and George Manser
Careerwise will feature profiles on young people in business, like Courtney Million from LEC Consultancy and George Manser from East Durham Business Service. Both started their respective careers as apprentices and are progressing thanks to the support and guidance they receive from their employers.
Richard said: “The response to Careerwise has been fantastic and the PBP team couldn’t do it without support from local businesses both in terms of financial backing and content support.” There’s still time for businesses to get involved, so if you’d like to offer support as a sponsor or advertiser, call us on 0191 587 8165 or send an email to info@peterleebusiness.co.uk.
HIRING CONFIDENCE IS STEADY DESPITE TOUGH ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ONE in four small businesses is planning to increase the number of permanent workers it employs, according to latest industry statistics. A quarterly report compiled by REC (the Recruitment and Employment Confederation) found 26 per cent of smaller firms were confident of staff expansion, compared to 19 per cent of medium sized employers and 18 per cent of large employers. The report also highlighted the growing popularity of temporary agency workers among the business community, with 42 per cent of employers stating that they saw this route as an important way of bringing in the resources they need without the burden of a long term commitment. Rob Dunbar, managing director of Peterlee-based recruitment company GEM Premium People, said this mirrored the position locally.
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He said: “There’s definitely an increased confidence among smaller businesses that they want to add to their head count, which is great news for local people looking for work. “We’re also seeing a rise in the number of temporary positions we’re asked to fill, as this is the perfect way for many employers to bring in the resources they need short term, without the pressure of creating permanent jobs which they may not need further down the line. “Overall, there’s definitely a feeling of optimism among businesses on Peterlee Business Park and across the wider East Durham area.”
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Pictured: Caleb Allen, who attended the Profound event
Pictured: D&S employees with co-director Mark Kelly (3rd from left)
Pictured: Dene Community students
D&S Services in search for new welding talent
Science is fun for Dene Community School students
YOUNG and experienced individuals are being given the chance to join the workforce of a growing PBP company.
HUNDREDS of children got the chance to take part in a science spectacular.
D&S Services, who deliver fabrication, engineering and material handling services, held an informal event to meet, and potentially employ, time-served fabricator welders at its site in Peterlee.
Students from Dene Community School, along with children from 12 primary schools in the area, were treated to the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) extravaganza.
The company is also encouraging young apprentices to attend.
The event saw experts from around the region deliver fun and practical lessons on a range of subjects.
Director Alastair Tennant said: “We have invested heavily in apprentices over the years, we really do believe in them and are happy to invest in them for the longer term.”
Head of science at Dene Community School, Carolann McKay, said: “This is the second year that we have put on the STEM week, and once again it’s gone down a storm.”
Profound advice for youngsters PROFOUND Services hosted an event this summer to help young people move into education, training and employment. Event organisers were on hand to offer information, advice and guidance to 16-24 year olds looking to earn while they learn. Claire Turner, learner engagement advisor at Profound Services, said: “I met some amazing young people on the day who were very enthusiastic about finding employment. You could feel the energy in the room and we received a load of apprenticeship applications. We’re now hoping to place these eager young people in the perfect positions for them.”
CHARITY AND COMMUNITY Pictured: Lyle Dodds (centre)
STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER CHARITY A GROUP of students has come together to raise money for a cancer charity in remembrance of a fellow student’s father. The team was taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme. Just before the last academic year’s NCS programme started, one of the students sadly lost his dad to cancer. Lyle Dodds, 17, from South Hetton, was unsure whether or not to attend at such a difficult time but was encouraged by his mum. The NCS group organised a social action project as part of the course to help raise money for Cancer Research UK, in memory of Lyle’s father. They raised a fantastic £970. EDC’s NCS co-ordinator, Tina Lavelle said: “The group has been fantastic. It was a terrible time for Lyle, but I was incredibly proud of the way he handled the situation and also the way the other students on NCS helped to support Lyle.”
Pictured: Dave Laidler
SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR DAREDEVIL DAVE THE BROTHER of a tragic motorcyclist has raised cash by leaping 660ft from a dam to complete the highest bungee jump in Europe. Dave Laidler, a setter operator at NSK, lost his brother Michael in a motorbike accident last year. The Great North East Air Ambulance attended the scene but sadly Michael had died. He was just 22. In tribute, and to raise money for GNAAS, Dave did a sponsored bungee jump during a motorbike trip around Europe. The dam he leapt from was used in the James Bond Golden Eye movie. Dave said: “When you step off the edge it takes a couple of seconds before it sinks in, and then it was just brilliant. I’d do it again.”
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Pictured: Robin Finley with the award and members of the ZF TRW team
HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARD FOR ZF TRW ZF TRW Peterlee has been named one of only seven of the global firm’s sites to have scooped a prestigious health and safety award.
plants worldwide – and one of only two ZF TRW sites in the UK.
road – we don’t want our workers getting hurt making them.
The Peterlee site won the Health and Safety Excellence Award for exemplary performance in 2015. This is the third time the plant has received this award in the past five years, the last time being in 2012.
Robin Finley, Peterlee plant manager at ZF TRW, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won this award. I’d like to thank all of our employees for playing their part in gaining this accolade. It’s a true testament of their hard work and their dedication to following the correct procedures.
“That’s why this award is so important – not only were we one of only seven globally to have gained this recognition, we were also the only plant in the company’s electronics division to be chosen.”
The accolade given to Peterlee employees was one of only seven handed out across 150
“We manufacture products for vehicles to prevent accidents and save lives out on the
The accreditation was also given for a number of other key points including ergonomic improvement, energy saving, and scrap and waste reduction.
Pictured: Linden Cook and HR Officer Bridget Randall
Pictured: Bethany Ainsley
ONE AWARDS JOINS UK’S DAVID GOLDMAN AWARD ELITE ELEVEN PER CENT FOR BETHANY AINSLEY ONE Awards is one of the first businesses to achieve Investors in People ‘silver’ with a new version of the internationally recognised standard. Based on Palmer Road, One Awards is one of only 350 organisations in the UK to be accredited against the IIP Sixth Generation Framework, making them part of an elite 11 per cent of businesses to be awarded silver standard.
Linden Cook, Deputy Chief Executive at One Awards said: “We are delighted to achieve silver accreditation with the new and more challenging Investors in People Standard, having achieved bronze in 2013.” IIP is the international standard for people management, defining what it takes to lead, support and manage people effectively to achieve sustainable results.
A PBP based entrepreneur has received a business innovation prize from Newcastle University Business School. Former dancer Bethany Ainsley received the David Goldman Prize for Business Innovation. Bethany founded Nouveau Wellbeing in 2008, offering affordable dance and fitness classes in County Durham.
Based at Novus Business Centre, the company now delivers classes in 75 community venues. A spokseman for the Goldman family said: “Bethany is a shining example of what can happen when entrepreneurship meets social need. Not only has she built a successful business but Nouveau Wellbeing also benefits the lives of many hundreds of people.”
SEAHAM NEWS Pictured: Lighthouse View at Spectrum Business Park
TOP AWARD FOR ANDREW JAMES ONLINE retailer Andrew James Worldwide has picked up an award at a ceremony held at Richard Branson’s Oxfordshire home. The family firm was ranked 32nd in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the UK. Representatives from the 100 companies joined Virgin founder Richard Branson for a conference and awards ceremony at the tycoon’s home.
HIGH QUALITY GRADE A OFFICE FOR SALE WITH VACANT POSSESSION
35 NEW JOBS AS CAR DEALER MOVES TO LIGHTHOUSE VIEW
LIGHTHOUSE VIEW, SPECTRUM BUSINESS PARK, SEAHAM, SR7 7TT
Andrew James was awarded for ‘Effective Use of Capital’ after developing new office headquarters at Foxcover Enterprise Park and a separate distribution centre on Spectrum Business Park, both in Seaham. The retailer sells niche products into the kitchen and home grilling market.
A CAR dealership which sells Audi, BMW and Porsche models has submitted plans to move its operations to Spectrum Business Park, where it will create up to 35 jobs. Crowther Lodge Motor Company has been trading for more than 25 years and is currently located in Gateshead. The dealership is set to relocate to facilitate its expansion plans. Lighthouse View, a vacant unit on Spectrum Business Park that has been empty since its completion in 2006, has been earmarked for the move to East Durham.
The firm expects the size of its existing workforce to increase from 15 to around 50 following the move. Lighthouse View will provide the dealership with over 20,000 sq ft of showroom space, a large reception area and 236 outdoor and undercroft parking spaces. The unit has a vendor’s asking price of £2.5m and will bring more jobs to Seaham’s already booming business community, cementing it as a fantastic location for local employers to develop and grow.
GAS RECOGNISED FOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENTS SPECTRUM firm Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) has been shortlisted for a national apprenticeship award just weeks after its workers graduated from a training scheme. GAS is a North East finalist at the 2016 National Apprenticeship Awards alongside the likes of Sage, Nifco, Hays Travel and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The Group’s Apprenticeship Scheme has been commended for the conditions, pay and level of responsibility its participants receive. Judith Bennison, HR director at GAS, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards are a prestigious mark of quality, which shows what a great opportunity is on offer to apprentices at GAS. We’re thrilled with how our current
cohort are progressing and we hope our second intake proves as successful.” In July, 19 employees achieved NVQ level two diplomas after GAS launched a training programme, aided by local provider, Talent Training. Judith added: “A key component of our recruitment drive is to retain and develop our valued employees so that we can map out a viable career path. Giving them the chance to study for nationally recognised qualifications is a good way of achieving this.”
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Pictured: GAS apprentice Beth Armstrong
AROUND COUNTY DURHAM
Pictured: Eric Lambert with granddaughter Phillippa Pictured: Zeynel Badak
Happy exhibitor urges firms to attend this year’s Oktoberfest A COMPANY which scooped a significant contract on the back of an annual manufacturing event has urged other firms to get on board when it returns to the region later this year. Darlington-based E-Max Systems joined over 150 other firms at Durham Oktoberfest, to celebrate the North East’s world class engineering and manufacturing strengths and capabilities. Commercial director, Zeynel Badak, said: “It really is the perfect platform for us as we
know we’ll have the opportunity to meet businesses who could potentially become our customers.” E-Max has exhibited at the event every year since 2009 and believes it is a must for companies who are keen to meet potential suppliers and customers. David Land, chairman of organiser CDEMN, said: “Every year we hear from companies like E-Max Systems who secure new customers and contracts as a result of attending the event, which is what it’s all about.”
MARY LAMBERTS BECOMES ONE OF THE REGION’S MOST UPMARKET EATERIES A BAKERY launched by a mum in the 1960s has steadily blossomed into one of the region’s most upmarket eateries and now employs 18 staff. Next on the menu for Mary Lambert is to firmly establish the firm’s online offering bringing it up to 21st Century standards, with more jobs to follow. Eric Lambert, co-owner of the business, said: “Mary dreamed of opening a bakery from being a child, and that dream became a reality when she opened her first shop on Hartlepool’s historic Headland.”
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Pictured: The Start Energy team
NEW START ON PBP FOR GROWING ENERGY FIRM AN ENERGY company that recently moved to offices on Fern Court has announced ambitious plans to recruit up to 150 people in the next two years. The company currently employs 12 people but after experiencing significant growth and helping companies nationwide make over £11m of savings on their energy bills, it is making plans for continued expansion.
10%
Gary Robson set up Start Energy in 2011 after working for various energy providers since leaving school. He said: “The business has really grown in the last couple of years, as has our portfolio of clients which now includes national companies. “Our plans are ambitious; we really want to establish Start Energy as one of the country’s most respected energy auditors.”
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