Project Preview
15-07-2008
The potential for hundreds of jobs announced at business boosting forum for engineering sector
TVEP's first business-boosting since its change in status revealed that nearly 500 jobs are in the pipeline for the region.
TVEP, which is now a company limited by guarantee, brought together more than 100 of the region's most prominent business leaders at a seminar.
Guest speakers Peter Brackenborough, Ron Webster and Bob Goffin
Those attending the forum, held at its new partner University of Teesside, heard about lucrative supply chain opportunities which were heading for the Tees Valley.
Luxembourg technology firm Paul Wurth Group revealed the potential to open up a base on Bowesfield Lane in Stockton creating 80 jobs.
Costain Oil, Gas and Process, part of the international engineering and construction company, announced it is considering opening a new Teesside operation which could generate up to 400 jobs.
Ian Basford, TVEP Director and Chairman, said: 'These announcements demonstrate that this area has a strong commercial pull for industrial heavyweights in the engineering sector. The message from these companies was that the availability of a pool of skilled, reliable and hard-working employees is another key asset which makes the Tees Valley an attractive location.
'The aim of the TVEP is to harness as many supply chain opportunities as possible for its members and we are able to do this by securing companies of this calibre to attend networking forums.
'The strength of the TVEP event was reflected by the fact the forum gave these companies their first chance to address the local engineering supply chain about their plans and find out how our members can support them.'
The audience also heard from rig design company RDS, which recently unveiled plans to locate a base at Wynyard Business Park, creating up to 200 jobs.
A presentation was made by the University of Teesside on its capabilities and what it can offer the business community through its wide-ranging expertise.
The forum was part of the TVEP's plan during the next 12 months to organise a series of events an initiatives to provide new business development opportunities for its members and encourage companies to work collaboratively both on a business to business basis and in partnership with the University and the engineering sector in the Tees Valley.
