Centre provides new insight into everyday things we all take for granted

Mar 13 2007 By The Journal

It's home to 5,000 staff, eight major companies, more than 80 contractors and produces chemicals for products we use day in, day out. But how much do you know about Wilton International?

The Wilton International Information Centre is now providing the answers - and helping link local industry with the Tees Valley community.

The centre was established in 2005 to give an eye-opening look at the world of Wilton.

Based at the Wilton Visitors Induction Centre and opened by the Redcar-based Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, it gives an interactive look at how the massive complex works and what is produced on site.

The eight major manufacturing companies at the site - Artenius UK (formerly ADVANSA), Dow, Huntsman, INVISTA, px, SembCorp Utilities UK, Croda and SABIC - teamed up to create the facility.

Felix O'Hare, site director of Croda at Wilton, said: "All eight of the major manufacturers at Wilton work together on a number of common issues - such as health and safety.

"But a few years ago site reputation was seen as a key area for us all. We already had good links with local schools and the community, through our liaison groups, but we wanted more people to find out about what we do here at the site."

Space was found at the site's visitors centre - used to carry out inductions for people visiting the site - to set up the information centre.

It contains displays with easy-to-understand information on the chemical, engineering and power industries on the site and a number of more interactive features.

They include videos, PC-related activities and practical chemical, power and engineering exercises, designed to challenge pupils' knowledge of the industries and fit in with the national curriculum.

Visitors can also enjoy activities showing the concept of finding out how many polyester chips it takes to make a two-litre pop bottle and determining which materials are a conductor or an insulator.

Plus there's fascinating archive material tracing the site's origins.

Established in 1946 as a major North-East base for chemical giant ICI - Wilton has been through a period of dramatic change in the last decade.

Once home to ICI alone, hundreds of companies now work on or with firms at the site.

"We wanted to create something that said `this is what Wilton is all about'," added Mr O'Hare.

"And it's proved very popular. Local schools, community groups and even people from the Wilton site have used it."

The information centre has to be booked in advance, but is open to any person or group with a link to industry and has room for up to 30 people.

Local community liaison panels, the Redcar and Cleveland Environment Forum and schools are just some of those who have been through its doors.

Companies based on the site have also used the facility for both meetings and a way to introduce staff to Wilton.

It's been the venue for open events for The TTE Technical Training Group - to attract new recruits to the industry.

And it has even hosted an arts exhibition.

People using the services of Tees and North-East Yorkshire NHS Trust held a two week exhibition, Industry and My Life, last year.

Plus it had a royal visitor. In 2005 Prince Andrew visited Wilton to take a tour of Huntsman's operations - leaving his signature in the signing in book at the centre. He visited the chemical complex in his capacity as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment. The facility's success also earned it a place on the shortlist at last year's Tees Valley Business Awards in the Business in the Community category.

"People have found the centre very comfortable and accessible," said Mr O'Hare. "They've really enjoyed the information that's in there - and discovered a few surprises about what we do here at Wilton."

The centre has allowed companies at the site to extend their relationship with local schools and colleges.

Children Challenging Industry events, which help school kids get to grips with the appliance of science, have been held at the centre.

Under the scheme - run by NEPIC (the North-East Process Industry Cluster) and the University of York - schools are given support for science lessons and the opportunity to visit places of industry where pupils can see science being put into practice.

"It's vital to attract new recruits in to this industry," said Mr O'Hare, "and to do that we have to show them at a young age and open their eyes to what Wilton is all about.

"It's an industry that has got great opportunities and good jobs. And the centre acts as a great introduction to what we have to offer."

During 2007 it's hoped the information centre will be developed further.

And as the site develops, so must the centre.

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) bought Huntsman's Teesside-based European Base Chemicals and Polymers business in a £372m deal at the end of last year, bringing a new name to the site.

And the Croda name has joined the team at Wilton, having brought Uniqema from ICI in September last year in a £410m deal.

"It's important we keep updating the information in the centre as things change at the site," Mr O'Hare said. "There are also major projects taking place here, such as the new £200m polyethylene plant, SembCorp's £60m Wilton 10 biomass power station and Ensus's plans for a £240m bioethanol plant.

"The information centre is the perfect place to keep people updated on what's happening. Keeping the centre real and refreshed is vital."

* For more information ring (01642) 212385.