Co-operation is key to beating recession
Jun 23 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette
BUSINESSES within our region must continue to work together to come through the recession as painlessly as possible, a top businessman suggests.
The call is from Phil Moorhouse, managing director of Northgate plc, which is sponsoring the latest North East Top 250 Companies list - produced by the Evening Gazette’s sister paper The Journal - which comes out on July 15.
Mr Moorhouse says: “Northgate is delighted to be sponsor for the second year running.
“Northgate’s roots are firmly in the North-east - although we have successfully expanded across the UK and into the Republic of Ireland and Spain - currently with a rental fleet of around 120,000 vehicles.
“Since publication of the 2008 analysis, the global economy has seen, and continues to go through, unprecedented change.
“At a micro level that has been replicated in the North-east.
“But that is no reason for businesses operating in various market sectors, and of all different sizes, to bury their heads in the sand.”
He added: “At such difficult times, it is essential that organisations of the North-east support each other where possible, and promote the region as a successful environment in which to do business.
“Indeed, many companies that I’m sure will feature in this year’s Top 250 listing are our customers.”
Mr Moorhouse points out that recession is giving businesses opportunity to analyse their cost base.
“As a result,” he said, “many public and private sector organisations have concluded that renting vehicles on a flexible, non-contract basis is more cost effective than owning or leasing.
“So Northgate is focused on changing the perception that, far from rental being a stop-gap transport solution, it is vehicle usership and not ownership that is the key to cost management.”
He added: “In these challenging economic times the Top 250 listing, in which Northgate has regularly featured, will still be an annual barometer of success for businesses based in the North-east.
“The 2009 snapshot will highlight triumphs but, sadly, also reveal some economic suffering in the last 12 months.
“However, in such times, I believe it is more important than ever that North-east businesses help each other. Together we can all prosper when the economy returns to growth.”
The North East Top 250 is compiled for The Journal by Durham Business School.
IF you would like to attend a presentation breakfast in association with the Top 250 please contact Debbie Nicholls, on 0191 201 6435, or Debbie.nicholls@ncjmedia.co.uk
To book advertising space in the popular Top 250 supplement, please contact David Coburn, on 0191 201 6390 or david.coburn@ncjmedia.co.uk
The awards breakfast, with a guest speaker, is being held at the Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle, on July 15.
