FOR FOUNDERS, THINKERS, LEADERS, the innovators, CREATORS, ENTREPRENEURS & DOERS

We have embraced a new way of thinking about regional print and its evolution for the next generation. We are firmly committed to being the voice of the region’s business community and championing our area’s industry, creativity and innovation. www.netimesmagazine.co.uk

New Teesside industrial park ‘will deliver more than 1000 jobs’ Development

A property firm has revealed a 1000-plus job blueprint after completing a land deal.

Wilton Developments has bought the 33-acre Dynamo Park site, in Stockton.

It says the plot has potential to create at least 1070 posts across distribution and storage operators and “many more” in the supply chain.

Officials say the ribbon of land, which skirts the A19, has capacity for around 600,000sq ft of factory space.

Jason Stowe, Wilton Developments’ managing director, said the space, for which the company has paid an

Quintet bolsters North Shields firm’s ranks Engineering

An engineering company has strengthened its team after securing a £3 million-plus order boost.

Northern Engineering Solutions has welcomed engineering manager Gary Pendleton, mechanical engineer Hammed Shittu and financial controller Trudi Harrison.

Foreman Michael Anderson and pipefitter Christopher Rutherford have also joined the North Shields-based mechanical, electrical and process undisclosed sum, will fill an important market void.

He added: “The scheme will deliver high quality employment space, job opportunities, inward investment and economic growth in the area, capitalising on the lack of available opportunities in the wider North East for businesses wanting to upgrade their facilities to new levels of design and ESG credentials.

“It provides a great opportunity to deliver a variety of industrial, storage and warehouse space.”

The Stockton scheme adds to Wilton Developments’ North East portfolio, with the business already known in the region for Turbine Business Park, which sits close to Nissan’s sprawling Sunderland car making plant.

Green operator targets growth with cash backing Environment

engineering operator.

Bosses say the quintet will support a programme of work recently extended by contract wins with organisations including the RAF.

Mark Davey, founder and managing director, said: “To continue supporting organisations at the forefront of innovation, we recognised the need to augment our existing team by adding new staff who bring complementary skills.

“This is an exciting period of growth.”

In addition to its external appointments, the company has moved James Nicholson to a permanent pipefitting role after he completed a four-year apprenticeship.

An environmental business is creating jobs following £10,000 support.

Sustainable Business Services says it will hire consultants and build its UK-wide client base after backing from the North East Small Loan Fund.

The Newcastle-headquartered company works with public and private sector operators, including Middlesbrough distribution firm AV Dawson, to bolster their green credentials.

And founder James Staniforth says the cash boost will drive its progress yet further.

He said: “With the climate emergency becoming more of a priority, we’re seeing interest in our services growing from businesses and organisations of all sizes.”

The company secured its financial backing through NEL Fund Managers.

Jonathan Armitage, investment executive at the Team Valleybased organisation, added: “James and his team are applying their specialist knowledge to find practical solutions to clients’ specific needs, and demand is clearly only going to keep increasing.”

Building society buoyant as results hit all-time high Finance

A mutual has hailed its resilience in “volatile” times after achieving the best results in its 167-year history.

Darlington Building Society delivered record pre-tax profit of £5 million in 2022, with total assets rising to an all-time high of £833 million.

The figures were catalysed by record mortgage lending growth of £97 million and a rise in savings balances of £69 million.

And bosses say they will build on the success, vowing technological investments will be rolled out alongside an “absolute commitment” to traditional over-thecounter branch services.

They have also pledged to maintain staff and community support, having paid employees £1000 to cover the cost of living crisis and donated grants worth £268,000 to charities across County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire.

Andrew Craddock, chief executive, said: “International supply chain disruption and the war in Ukraine resulted in rising inflation, followed by the Bank of England increasing interest rates.

“And 2022 also witnessed considerable political upheaval in the UK and the death of the Queen.”

Posts saved as buyer found for Wearside firm Technology

Jobs have been saved after an audio-visual firm was rescued from administration.

CTBO has been bought by CCC Technologies.

The deal for the Sunderland-based operator has retained ten posts.

Formed in 2015, CTBO supported firms across the UK and Europe, providing network and electrical engineering services.

However, it fell into financial difficulties in 2019 and entered a company voluntary agreement a year later after being hit by the pandemic.

Homebuilder lays foundations for growth with £14 million backing Construction

A father and son housebuilder has set its sights on growth after securing £14 million support.

Cussins is pressing ahead with expansion plans across Northumberland and County Durham following backing from Lloyds Bank.

The company, run by Peter and Jabin Cussins, dates back to the 1920s, and builds around 130 properties a year, with existing schemes including the Summerson Place estate, based on Darlington’s wider West Park Garden Village development.

Its portfolio also features a £30 million joint venture with South Tyneside Council and Keepmoat

Graphene company sold in £1 million deal Technology

A company behind the development of a so-called wonder substance has been sold in a £1 million deal.

Applied Graphene Materials (AGM), based at the Wilton Centre, near Redcar, is now part of Universal Matter UK. AGM is known for its work with graphene – a form of carbon and a

Homes to regenerate former South Shields docklands.

Peter, the Alnwick-headquartered firm’s chair, said: “Our relationship with Lloyds Bank dates back 50 years, and our continued collaboration is enabling us to grow at a time that is constantly posing challenges for businesses of all sizes.

“We are proud of how the business is expanding to new heights, but still has the same family driving the business forward at its core – four generations after the first Cussins home was built.”

Adam Cackett, Lloyds Bank’s relationship director for the North East, added: “We are proud to be continuing our support for Cussins.

“The business has strong growth ambitions and, alongside a great existing portfolio, an exciting pipeline of future developments.” single layer of graphite arranged in a honeycomb lattice – which is acclaimed for being ultra-lightweight and capable of conducting electricity, and officials say the sale “provides an outstanding opportunity for accelerating growth of novel graphene-based solutions”.

Universal Matter UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian corporation Universal Matter Inc, which says the deal also delivers “an important European footprint for strengthening our growth potential.”

In Brief

A selected round-up of stories from across the region

4Newcastle-headquartered baker Greggs plans to open 150 shops this year to build on increasing demand. The company says it is “extremely well placed” to continue its growth after total sales rose 23 per cent to £1.5 billion in 2022.

4A testing firm ensuring lighting columns’ safe running is creating eight apprenticeships and investing in machinery after receiving six-figure support. Stockton’s Southern Asset Management is expanding following backing from NPIF –FW Capital Debt Finance.

4An accountancy firm plans to create jobs after an office expansion. Mullen Stoker has opened a second base in South Shields. The hub – in One Trinity Green – complements the company’s Mandale Business Park headquarters, in Belmont, County Durham.

4A furniture firm says it has “opened a new chapter” in its near 80-year history after cutting the ribbon on a £5 million shop. Barker and Stonehouse is now operating from a base on Gateshead’s Metrocentre Retail Park.

4A vinyl record maker is pushing on with job plans after smashing a headline financial target. Middlesbrough’s Press On Vinyl wants staff after reaching £1 million turnover in its first year.

For more news and views across the North East, visit our website @ www.netimesmagazine.co.uk/news

Kromek Group in good health with medical agreements Technology

A technology firm is working with a health operator to improve diagnosis of heart disease and cancer.

Kromek Group has signed a seven-year deal with an unnamed operator to develop detectors for medical scanners.

It says the agreement “will pave the way to future innovations that may enable the next-generation of imaging-based precision diagnosis and therapy”.

The partnership builds on healthcare deals worth more than £850,000, which will see it send imaging apparatus to three customers.

The NETPark-based company is also known for wearable nuclear radiation detector equipment, with its D3S-branded suite used by first responders, armed forces and border security services to identify threats such as ‘dirty bombs’.

‘Real privilege’ as RWO secures work on £8 million care home project Construction

An engineer has won a six-figure contract to help deliver an £8 million care home and assisted living development.

RWO is working with Countryside Partnership North East on a Housing 21 scheme in Guisborough, east Cleveland. Seaton Burn-based RWO will provide civil and structural engineering services on the project, which includes 12 bungalows and 70 apartments, as well as a café/bistro, hair salon and communal lounge and gardens.

Ross Oakley, RWO’s managing director, said: “Demand for care homes and assisted living accommodation is strong.

“It’s a real privilege to work with Countryside Partnerships and Housing 21 on this latest scheme to deliver on their vision for the highest quality living spaces for residents.”

He added the business has two further care home projects in its pipeline.

RWO also recently secured a geotechnical services contract with an unnamed housebuilder in the region, to provide ground investigation and laboratory testing services across an 11-hectare site.