The Business Awards 2007 finalists - Export Award

Apr 22 2008 By The Journal

Regional final sponsored by UKTI

TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND

Winner: The Davy Roll Company

Gateshead’s The Davy Roll Company, which manufactures steel cast rolls, employs over 290 people and sells 80% of its products overseas.

The £45m-a-year business expects annual turnover to reach £60m within five years with heavy investment planned to improve its facilities.

While cheaper operating costs in areas like China and India continue to push UK manufacturers overseas, the firm remains committed to keeping its central operation in the North East.

The business started life in 1970 but its Gateshead site has been in operation for over 150 years.

Through 15 decades, the works have manufactured locomotives, coal-mining equipment, general castings and rolls.

Runners-up: Osborne Engineering. Raytec.

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DURHAM AND WEARSIDE

Winner: Walker Filtration Ltd.

Walker Filtration designs and manufactures gas filters for industry at its factory in Washington.

It was set up in 1983 by Brian and Carol Walker and now exports its products to a global market. It is one of the leading companies making industrial and medical filtration and drying equipment.

In addition to its Washington headquarters, the company has divisions in mainland Europe, the US and Australia.

Group general manager Lianne Walker said: "We feel that winning the Durham and Wearside Export Award recognises our continuing ambition to become a world leader in the filtration industry and the real strides that we have made in export levels over recent years. 

"This award proves our belief that a manufacturing company in the North East can compete successfully in an international market place."

Runners-up: International Quality Centre Ltd, Sunderland. Pineapple Aroundshot Ltd, Washington.

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TEES VALLEY

Winner: Corus Tubes Energy Business

PRODUCTS produced by the Hartlepool steel manufacturer can now be found across the globe.

And its strategy to expand into overseas markets has seen the company secure pipeline projects in Thailand, Malaysia, West Africa and the Middle East.

Last year the team won a multi-million pound under-sea deal for its pipes to be used to construct one of the deepest pipelines in the world in the Gulf of Mexico. The contract, to manufacture and deliver almost 200 miles of pipe for the Perdido Norte project has seen Teesside pipes laid in depths ranging from 3,500ft to 8,300ft. The project should be completed by July.

The team has also supplied 12,000 tonnes of steel for New York’s Freedom Tower – which is rising from the World Trade Centre site.

And a growing workload means bosses hope to add up to 120 extra staff to its 700-strong Hartlepool workforce in the next 12 months.

The site is running at about 10 shifts a week. But the aim is to increase to 15 shifts by early 2009.

Runners-up: Oxford Chemicals. Cummins.