North East ‘to lead recovery’
BUSINESS leaders last night claimed North East manufacturers have a major role to play in Britain’s economic recovery.
At the North East Manufacturers’ Dinner at Northumbria University, they said local manufacturers would create “real jobs for real people in the real economy”. Keynote speakers at the event included new national chief executive of manufacturers’ organisation EEF, Gilbert Toppin, and Margaret Fay, who chairs regional development agency One NorthEast.
Mr Toppin said: “North-east manufacturing is at the core of the real economy. Companies have demonstrated incredible skills in new technologies and the region has got its thinking cap on in terms of renewable projects.”
Ms Fay said the North-east’s “broad and diverse manufacturing base” gave cause for optimism in a difficult economic climate.
The event was attended by Tees Valley manufacturers including Stillington-based Darchem Engineering, named Company of Year at last year’s North East Business Awards. Joint managing director Jim Love said despite the volatile economic climate, Tees Valley manufacturers were “doing well” on the back of a global oil and infrastructure boom.
