Special Report - North East PIC (part one)

Dec 11 2006 By Robert Coxon, Nepic Chairman, The Journal

The process industry represents 25% of the whole economy of the North East of England and therefore this sector is vital to future wellbeing of this important region.

This is a critical document that sets the scene for the future of the whole sector. Leading industrialists in the region, working with NEPIC, demonstrate how to achieve at least 50% growth in Process Industry GDP in the region. Projects and plans are described to grow the sector from £8.8bn to £13.3bn per annum of GDP.

NEPIC has identified a portfolio of potential projects totalling £9bn and is already involved with the delivery of some £4.5bn of these projects today. Putting this into context, this sector has already delivered over £1.1bn of investments to the region over the last three years. NEPIC industrialists believe that further significant growth is possible if the whole region works together through NEPIC to make it happen.

Regional development agency One NorthEast's Regional Economic Strategy for the North East of England already recognises the importance of the process industry sector, positioning it as a key stakeholder in titss "three pillar" approach to economic development through science, innovation and industry.

NEPIC aims to forge a powerful coalition of the industry and its supply chain, regional and national government, educationalists and academia to provide the vehicle through which the stretching growth goals demanded by the Regional Economic Strategy can be achieved.

We are understandably proud of NEPIC's achievements to date, particularly in creating an unprecedented engagement with the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in the region. Over 80 senior executives have been participating - alongside government representatives, academics and educationalists - on NEPIC's strategic enabling thrust teams:

* GDP and investment growth - attracting major investments

* Skills and education - improving industry attractiveness and up-skilling the workforce

* Innovation - brokering R&D collaborations

* Marketing and communications - promoting the region and company capabilities

* International trade - identifying and developing opportunities Particularly for SMEs

* Manufacturing and productivity - organising to continuously improve performance

* Networking and contact hub for the industry

With the support and guidance of the NEPIC leadership team, all of these enabling thrust team activities will be focused on the delivery of this growth strategy. They will develop the projects to meet the broad action plans that are detailed in this strategy and will monitor and report on progress towards the goal set out here.

The industrialists of the North East process industries have set up and given a mandate to NEPIC's to provide the single voice for the industry, enabling project collaboration to make things happen in the region as well as providing a consistent and persistent channel to influence longer term issues such as resources, skills and educational standards.

This is an exciting time to be associated with the process industry sector in the North East of England - and with your help and support NEPIC will secure an additional £4.5bn of GDP to the region over the next 10 years., which would be a truly outstanding achievement.

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Wilton Centre is home of concentrated scientific and engineering talent

The Wilton Centre on Teesside is a centre of excellence bringing together research, technology, product development and engineering under one roof. The spacious complex contains offices, laboratories and technical facilities, all set within 75 acres of landscaped grounds, including a lake and courtyards.

Next to the Wilton International site, the centre was opened in 1974 by ICI and developed as a world-class research and technology centre for its petrochemicals, plastics and advanced materials businesses.

In 1999, the site was sold and is now managed by LaSalle Investment Management on behalf of a pension fund client.

The centre is home to more than 30 companies, including the Centre For Process Innovation, ICI, Lucite International UK, DuPont Teijin Films, Huntsman and Uniquema.

For many of these global operations the Wilton Centre is their UK headquarters.

A wealth of talent and expertise can be found in the building - in fact the centre has one of the highest concentrations of scientists and engineers in the country.

In recent years, the Wilton Centre has been enhanced by a multi-million-pound redevelopment.

The building now has 250,000sqft of modern office space, more than 80 fully equipped laboratories and 100,000sqft of technical development space - suitable for pilot chemical plants, development rigs, machine testing and light industrial work.

In addition, the Wilton Centre has the back-up of an on-site professional management team who offer help and support with everything from health and safety to laboratory development.

A range of business support services is also available, including visitor reception, meeting rooms, a lecture theatre, catering, printing and post.

The centre is home to research and development, such as the work of the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).

CPI in partnership with DuPont Teijin Films has built a £2m clean room, where scientists are carrying out research in flexible electronics technology, which has applications such as computer screens.

CPI has established the UK's first independent fuel cell system development centre, which is due to open shortly. Work on building a national industrial biotechnology facility is ongoing, which will again turn the international spotlight on work at the Wilton Centre.

The centre's Wendy Briggs said: "Collectively the research and development community at the Wilton Centre constitutes one of the most significant science and engineering communities in the UK.

"From hi-tech laboratories and office space to the support services which are vital to the smooth running of any firm, we can offer them all here at the Wilton Centre.

"The variety of companies based here also creates a great working environment and the ability to network and share ideas.

"The outdoor space surrounding the complex is also very pleasant, with the centre being set in a 75-acre landscaped park.

"And it's close to the Cleveland Hills, the North-East coastline and convenient for the Scottish borders, Yorkshire Dales and Lake District.

"There's also an excellent road and rail network, making for easy commuting."

Office accommodation

From a few square feet to a full floor or block, the Wilton Centre can meet most office requirements.

It has more than 250,000sqft of space, providing flexible solutions to business needs.

The package at the site includes:

* Rent, rates, building insurance, utilities, maintenance, cleaning, waste disposal, porterage and security.

* Centrally heated office space which is carpeted, fully decorated with power, voice and data links.

* Flexible space - open plan and/or modular.

* An access control system that can assist with the protection of intellectual property.

* The option to have offices next to research and development facilities.

Wendy said: "Many people find interaction with like-minded residents within the centre to be mutually beneficial. There's also the potential for the development of business opportunities and joint projects, making it a great environment in which to work."

Laboratory facilities

There are more than 80 labs in the Wilton Centre, covering 86,000sqft.

They can be adapted to meet specific requirements, of both technical specification and size.

Facilities also have the back up of a team of experienced staff with detailed knowledge of lab operations and procedures.

They are able to assist in the design, building and operation of laboratories.

Skilled technicians at the centre maintain services and equipment and have a wealth of information on procedures, training and health and safety.

Facilities include:

* Fire detection and fire fighting equipment and emergency showers.

* Clothing lockers, shower rooms, cleaning and laundry.

* Provision of dry ice, cryogenic liquids and cylinder gases.

* Chemical drains, compressed air, nitrogen, hot and cold water, fume cupboards and testing. which comply with Coshh regulations (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

* Laboratory equipment maintenance and glass blowing.

Technical Development Area

The opportunity to trial and develop ideas before taking them to the market is vital to businesses.

That is why The Wilton Centre's Technical Development Area - TDA - is so important.

From pilot plants to machine testing and experimental rigs, it provides companies with opportunities to put their ideas through their paces.

The TDA has been designed to house all disciplines of development work and all aspects of experimental development can be carried out in a safe and secure environment. There is access to professional safety advice, chemical analysis and project design and construction.

And whether a company needs a permanent facility or a temporary space to test a single idea, the centre can cater for both.

Facilities in the TDA include:

* Accommodation ranging from laboratory to medium- and large-scale pilot plant facilities, with roof heights of up to 14 metres.

* Piped services including compressed air, nitrogen, steam, hydrogen and other specialised gases.

* Storage facilities for dry goods, flammable and toxic substances and gas cylinders.

* Qualified and skilled technicians provide advice, support and maintenance.

* A range of equipment for hire, such as fume cupboards, reactor vessels, mills, ovens and blenders.

* Testing and inspection of equipment.

Services and support

From global video conferences to getting the post out on time, the Wilton Centre has the back-up of a range of support services.

This also includes security - which is a high priority. Facilities include individual access control, CCTV and 24-hour staffed guarding.

Other support services include:

* Fully staffed receptions servicing all businesses.

* More than 1,500 free parking spaces.

* Meetings rooms and a 125-seat lecture theatre with audiovisual and PA system.

* Self-service restaurant, cafe, shop and hospitality service.

* Help desk, postal and courier service, cleaning and building maintenance.

* Occupational health provision and information and resource centre with internet access.

For more details on the Wilton Centre, call (01642) 438050, log on to www.thewiltoncentre.com  or email enquiries@wiltoncentre.co.uk

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