Representatives from four of the region’s most influential and successful organisations have addressed business leaders from across the Tees Valley, in an effort to promote a prosperous future for the local engineering sector. 

Sean Egan, Project Manager for Tees Valley Regeneration, Howard Simons, Technical Director for Sonhoe, Ian Watson, Chief Engineer of Product Development at Cummins Engines and Lynn Mitchell, Development Division Manager and Phillip Cork, Group Training Manager, Corporate Development, Cordell Group Ltd, were all keynote speakers at the Project Preview event, hosted by the Tees Valley Engineering Partnership. 

The breakfast-time event, held at the Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena, was attended by more than 100 people, from engineering organisations, educational establishments and local government, who were all keen to support the engineering sector and ensure it had a sustainable future in the Tees Valley economy. 

During the 90-minute session, sponsored by Darlington Borough Council, Howard, Ian, Lynn and Paul each spoke of their respective company’s plans, including current projects and those expected to commence in 2008 and beyond, while Sean gave an overview of changes expected to happen across the region as a whole. 

Sir John Hall, Honorary Chairman of the Tees Valley Engineering Partnership, also addressed the specially-invited audience on the benefits of working collaboratively through the TVEP and how the local sector can collectively position itself as a world leader in current and emerging markets. 

Gwenda Lyn Jones, Economic Regeneration Manager, for the Chief Executive’s Department at Darlington Borough Council, said: “Through the newly re-structured Regeneration Division, Darlington Council is committed to developing the local economy by strengthening our strategic engagement with businesses. We agreed to sponsor the Project Preview event because, like the TVEP, we recognise the important role that industry plays in enhancing Darlington’s economy, as well as that of the North East as a whole, and relish the opportunity to engage with employers in the important engineering sector.”

Malcolm Potter, Manger of the Tees Valley Engineering Partnership, said: “The Tees Valley has a long and industrial heritage which has given us much to be proud of. What is truly remarkable however is how the region’s engineering sector has continued to diversify and adapt to include new and emerging markets. Project Preview 2008 has once again shown us how Tees Valley’s engineering companies are forging ahead and striving towards an equally long and prosperous future. From the small glimpse of activities we have seen previewed in this event, 2008 looks set to be another exciting year.’

Presentations - Please click on the links below

TVR

Sonhoe

Cummins

See see a podcast  of the event, please click here