US firm Singletouch relies on North East talent

Dec 17 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

WHILE science and technology leaders often bemoan a shortage of relevant skills in the region as they look to build their team, one US software firm has pitched up in the North East to tap into our talent pool.

The ultimate plan for Singletouch is to build up a team of 25 people at its new European headquarters in Ashington, Northumberland.

The company builds operational software which allows industrial and electrical contractors who service large oil and gas projects, record data in remote locations.

As the multi-national firm aims to target the European market it has opted to set up in the North East because of the calibre of the available workforce. Newcastle-born Barry Henderson, who worked for Singletouch for three years in the States, will head up the enterprise at Wansbeck Enterprise Centre.

The former senior manager at The Journal, Evening Chronicle and Sunday Sun’s publisher, ncjMedia, said: “I know the work ethic here.

“I believe we will find the right skills needed to build and develop our product and, with a deep pool of graduates at Newcastle University’s computing science department to tap into, we can build a centre of excellence for operational software development here in the North East.

Singletouch is built around the idea that data only needs to be inputted once rather than several times and the more times it is rewritten the more chance there is of errors and the more it costs.

Its software streamlines the data flow from a single entry point to a single database, resulting in large cost savings. It started life on the vast oil sands of Canada and is now looking to spread its reach across Europe.

If the business proves a success on the Continent it is expected to move to a larger base in Ashington.

Singletouch’s move to Ashington was supported by redevelopment group Go Wansbeck’s premises coordinator Luke Dunnett.

Mr Henderson said: “We are ideally located for potential oil and gas-related contractors’ clients on Tyneside and in Scotland.

“We have a great opportunity here but there’s a lot of work to do. We are the new kids on the block.”

Carol Johns, Go Wansbeck’s programme delivery officer, said: “This is a cutting-edge company which has had great success in North America.

“We are delighted that Singletouch has decided to set up its European operation in Ashington. It again demonstrates that Wansbeck has the ideal accommodation and excellent transport links to attract the best.”

I know the work ethic here. I believe we will find the right skills needed to build and develop our product