The Business Awards 2007 finalists - Manufacturing Award

Apr 22 2008 By The Journal

Regional final sponsored by EEF

TEES VALLEY

Winner: F Jones, Cleveland Ltd

STATE-OF-THE-ART manufacturing technology has been installed at this Middlesbrough firm as part of its multi-million-pound expansion programme.

F Jones Cleveland, which specialises in exotic stone surfaces and flooring, has invested in the automated production line to improve accuracy in the cutting process.

Installed at the company’s Riverside Park factory, the FK Optima cutting line is one of only five in the world and was the first in the
UK when it was unveiled last
year.

Founder and chairman Fred Jones said the completion of the factory extension and acquisition of additional plant marked an exciting time in the company’s development plans.

The company imports 40 to 60 tonnes of material a week from quarries all over the world, often on an exclusive basis.

Because of its investment in technology the firm has introduced new material finishes, broadening its range of products.

Runners-up: Lift Able, Burdon Engineering.

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TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND

Winner: Responsive Engineering

RESPONSIVE is a leading engineering services and subcontract manufacturing group on the Team Valley Trading Estate at Gateshead.

It has a long history of working on defence industry projects and past clients have included Westland, BAE Systems. The business has grown rapidly in recent years, increasing sales 50% from 2003/04 to 2005/06, and more growth is predicted.

It is in the middle of an investment drive and has ambitions not only to push its £8.35m sales beyond £10m, but to lay the foundations for substantial longer-term growth.

Besides Streamline, Responsive runs other businesses – Kingsway, Weldex and Pressex. These provide precision engineering, welding, pressing and assembly services. It has recently invested £500,000 in a laser cutting machine for Streamline as part of a £2.5m investment.

Runners-up: Express Engineering, Zodiac Automative UK.

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DURHAM AND WEARSIDE

Winner: Komatsu UK Ltd, Birtley excavator manufacturer

Japanese company Komatsu has had a factory in the North East for more than two decades and it employs more than 750 people in the region.

It manufactures medium-sized crawler and wheeled excavators and its series of Dash-8 excavators are considered among the most advanced in the world.

The majority of the output from its site in Birtley is exported to Europe, north Africa and the US.

Despite many large manufacturing companies moving overseas to cut costs, managing director Peter Howe said Komatsu had remained in the North East because it had the right product, the correct approach and a skilled workforce.

Runners-up: Powder & Liquid Products Ltd, Consett. Walker Filtration Ltd, Washington.