Going for the best
Durham County Council is hopeful its innovative firms will develop further world-class technologies and so create new products and new markets as they continue to grow, says Stewart Watkins.
NOW that the dust has settled on one of the closest-fought general elections in the last 50 years, our new coalition government has a tough task ahead: tackling the UK’s economic deficit.
While departments of government begin to make the 25% cuts outlined for them in George Osborne’s emergency budget, here in the North East we need to ensure our strides made in recent years are not reversed.
Although public sector spending is being reined in, this will not affect the determination of the North East, and particularly County Durham, to secure ongoing investment and development projects.
The last decade has seen County Durham at the forefront of several fast-moving science and technology industries, including photovoltaics, printable electronics, and energy efficient technologies.
Durham County Council wants the county’s innovative firms to lead the way in developing world-class technologies that create new products and new markets, continuing to grow and compete with the best in the world.
Innovation can be the route to increased quality, increased productivity, and increased profit for all types of business.
In County Durham there are firms developing new products and exploiting knowledge and intellectual capital to remain competitive in global markets.
Romag plc, Thomas Swan & Co., Seaward Electronics, GlaxoSmithKline, ThyssenKrupp Tallent, NSK, Roman Showers, the GT Group, the CA Group and many others, all stand testimony to the inventiveness and tenacity of businesses in the county.
County Durham has the facilities to foster these knowledge-intensive industries in the region. Sites such as the North East Technology Park (NETPark) have proven their worth.
A perfect example is Kromek, a company which began at NETPark’s Incubator. Kromek is now becoming an international player in advanced scanning and security technologies, and is headquartered at NETPark
A combination of private and public sector investment has created a range of business space throughout the county. Beyond NETPark, there is a unique portfolio of property and land throughout the county, including Hawthorn Business Park south of Murton, the Low Willington Industrial Estate at Crook, Durham Green Business Park at Durham and the Amazon Business Park at Newton Aycliffe.
At the County Durham Development Company we’ve been working to maximise job creation opportunities throughout the county.
Through a range of initiatives we ensure that companies throughout the County are aware of facilities and networks that enhance their ability to gain contracts and tenders, receive top quality advice and mentoring as well as access to finance and incentives.
The private sector will be expected to play a major role in righting the economy. County Durham, being home to the North East Chamber of Commerce, as well as flagpole names such as Northumbrian Water, Caterpillar, Phileas Fogg, Thorn Lighting, Explorer Group, and Hargreaves Services, has shown it can attract and retain investment in the region.
The county council’s commitment to the economy of the area is demonstrated by its willingness to work in partnership with the private sector for the benefit of all, for the wealth generation of the private sector and for the creation of jobs for its local communities.
:: Stewart Watkins is chief executive of County Durham Development Company
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