HomeSector ReportsNorth East VisionWinter 2006

Julian Atkinson

Booming trade

A coffin maker has increased productivity by 20% since securing a £180,000 finance package from business angels. JC Atkinson has recently moved from Sunderland - where it was based for almost 70 years - to 38,000sq ft premises in Washington. Read

Time off - Brothers keep contest alive

For Stephen Aitken, the Highland Games isn't just a hobby, but a passion stretching back generations. Sarah Judd finds out why the farmers' auction mart managing director and former world champion is at the top of his game. Read

Jacksons - Bank invasion of legal services

By Simon Catterall, head of regulatory, liquor licensing, environment and safety, with Jacksons Commercial and Private Law of Stockton. Read

Family Values - Commerce thrust upon them

The brother and sister team behind the region's biggest family butcher's business were still at school when they started running the operation, as Iain Laing discovers. Read

One North-East - Why One is passionate

It is just over two years now since One NorthEast took over responsibility for tourism in North East England. Our coast and countryside, history and heritage, city culture and of course the famous North East welcome are all reasons to visit the North East but they are also worth £3.4bn to an industry that employs over 56,000 people in the region. Read

The Investors - Going under the sea

A willingness to invest for the long term is putting two very different businesses on Tyneside and Wearside in strong positions in their respective industries. Graeme King looks at SMD Hydrovision in Newcastle and the Ailantus Hotels Group in Washington. Read

INVISTA - Going from strength to strength

A great deal can happen to a company in two years. During the first 18 months of the newly created INVISTA, the company's strategies were focused on getting healthy. Read

Community Spirit - Spreading the bounty

How companies manage their core business and at the same time add social, environmental and economic value has become an overriding priority in the 21st Century. James Barton looks at how one multi-national has met those challenges. Read

World Vision - 'Mr Michael' whips up trade

A North firm is bringing a whole new meaning to the words speed humps, as Rebekah Ashby reports. Read

Vantis - Think success

A group of professional business advisers and intermediaries came together this month for the inaugural meeting of a new business club with a small "by invitation only" membership and a large potential to benefit businesses across the Tees Valley. Read

Robert Muckle - Building for the future

Set against the background of a buoyant national and regional property market, commercial law firm Robert Muckle LLP has recently been advising on deals stretching from Cornwall to Berwick as demand for its property services continues to grow. Read

Constructing Excellence - Awards

Constructing Excellence in the North East will hold its third annual awards in 2007, celebrating the successes of those tasked with building the future landscape of our region. Read

Special Report - Healthcare & Life Sciences

Healthcare currently represents a large slice of the region's economy. More than 5,000 organisations, £4bn annual turnover and 140,000 jobs are involved. In future, healthcare will be even more important to the region as other industrial sectors, particularly those involving low added value manufacturing, shrink due to fierce overseas competition. Read

Arts - Giving measure for measure

It's a dramatic redevelopment which involved smashing into a bank and burying a four-tonne vault door under the stage. Rebekah Ashby reports on the curtain going back up at Newcastle's Theatre Royal. Read

Education - 'Let young reach potential'

Business is taking a more direct role in education than ever before, as James Barton discovered. Read

Koppers Lambson - Long-term security

Koppers Lambson is building a brighter future in the heart of Teesside. The company was formed 18 months ago after a deal was struck by Koppers UK to buy Yorkshire-based Lambson Speciality Chemicals. Read

Heritage - Booming times

A historic site is making its comeback with all guns blazing after securing funds for its second phase of major restoration. Marie Turbill hears the story behind its revamp so far. Read

Special Report - Renew Tees Valley

The growth and development of Tees Valley's renewables and recycling industry went under the spotlight at this year's Energy and Environment Fair. Read

Durham University - Creating the £uture

With a staff of 3,000 and with students in residence for more than half the year - some 12,000 in Durham City and more than 2,000 in Stockton - Durham University has a major part to play in shaping the region's future. Read

Regeneration - Animation brings area to life

Regeneration projects are powering ahead across our region. Karen McLauchlan takes a closer look. Read