High growth manufacturing programme launched for county’s firms

The Manufacturing and Engineering Taskforce (MET) was formed by Durham County Council and Business Durham to maximise opportunities for the county’s economy and capitalise on inward investment successes, such as Hitachi Rail Europe opening its £82m train building facility.

The taskforce, comprising public and private sector partners, established a comprehensive list of manufacturing and engineering companies in the region and looked at the issues they faced and how they were doing business. Among the findings were that micro and small businesses needed to embrace innovation to a greater depth and to have better access to supply chains.

Now Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham, the council and their partners, will drive forward a high growth programme to maximise the sector’s success.

Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham, said: “This October we’re celebrating manufacturing month so it’s great that we’re able to announce the next stage of this important work. With the manufacturing and engineering sectors playing such a major role in the county it’s essential that we work together to remove barriers, maximise opportunities and help everyone to benefit from the amazing organisations in County Durham.”

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration who was chairman of the MET, said: “The contribution the manufacturing and engineering sectors make to the County Durham economy is absolutely vital. By working together to provide help and support and to encourage growth in these hugely important areas we can not only help to create more jobs but hopefully attract even more investment to the county.”

The MET brought together a range of businesses which identified challenges facing the industries such as skills gaps, securing investment and managing an increasingly complex supply chain. As well as working to tackle these challenges, Business Durham will also be helping the sectors to share data, best practice and research from across the county as well as how the firms can raise their profile and attract more investment.

They will also be looking at how the businesses can grow sales, help them to access more supply chains and increase the use of digital technology to improve such things as payroll and accounting as well as logistics.

As well as employing 15 percent of County Durham’s residents, the manufacturing and engineering sectors also provide 20 per cent of the county’s gross added value (GVA) as well as driving another 15 per cent with its demand for services