The leadingcompaniesshapingNorthumberland’sbusinesslandscape.

Invest in theNorthumberlandbusiness landscape.

Invest in success.

Arch Arch Enterprise CentreLintonville ParkwayAshingtonNorthumberlandNE63 9JZ

T +44 (0)1670 528 400www.archnorthumberland.co.uk

Thanks to its strategic location on the borderbetween England and Scotland, its excellenttransport and communications infrastructure, the outstanding support services that have beenput in place, as well as the superb quality of life to be enjoyed here, Northumberland has provedto be an irresistible place to settle for manyleading national and international businesses.

In fact, Northumberland is today home tobusinesses that have successfully located herefrom countries across the world in businesssectors as diverse as healthcare, advancedengineering and renewable energy.

In this brochure you will find their stories – the whysand wherefores behind their decisions to come to Northumberland and base their operations here.The reasons that brought them to our door and,just as importantly, enticed them to stay here.

So if you are considering bringing your businessto Northumberland, the experiences and successstories of those who have already discovered the many benefits of being in this unique anduniquely placed region will hopefully entice you to find out more.

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Healthcare and Life SciencesNorthumberland is home to an impressive array ofpharmaceutical businesses, and we have a growingpresence in biotechnology. Leading companies includeAesica Pharmaceuticals, Piramal Healthcare, SCM Pharma,The Specials Laboratory, Covance Laboratories and MSD.

MSDProduct changeover on one of several tablet productionpresses in use at MSD Cramlington; a supplier of the company's innovative pharmaceutical products tocountries all over the world.

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4 SCM Pharma

• Pharmaceutical contract development & manufacturing organisation

• Low Prudhoe, Northumberland• 100 employees in Northumberland

SCM Pharma is a contract development and manufacturingorganisation (CDMO) that makes novel, difficult anddangerous drugs to meet its clients’ development, clinical trial and low volume licensed product supply needs.

Established in 2004, the award-winning SCM Pharma is one of the leading lights in the North East’s manufacturing andscience sector and is one of the world's leading specialistCDMOs . The company provides development and sterileproduction services to assist clients progressing their drugproducts or medical devices through the clinical trials. SCMPharma also makes niche licensed drugs for customers thatrequire the ongoing commercial supply of certain medicines.

Alongside its clinical trial facility in Prudhoe, the company willopen the doors of its new nearby £6m sterile manufacturingsite, which will become the hub of the commercial productionoperation for several licensed pharmaceutical products thatwill reliably supply to clients and patients across the globe.

“The success of our businesshas been built on our roots inNorthumberland so we knowfirst-hand what a fantasticlocation it is. We are very proudof our heritage right here in the heart of Northumberlandand although we now supplyproducts across the world,the company is driven fromour HQ in Prudhoe.”

SCM Pharma

Aesica Pharmaceuticals

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MSD• Pharmaceuticals production• Cramlington, Northumberland• 370 employees in Northumberland

MSD is the UK subsidiary of Merck, and is a leading healthcare company. Itspharmaceuticals, vaccines, biological,consumer health and animal health productscover a wide range of therapeutic areas ofprescription products. Its Cramlington site, a global centre for stability testing, enablesMerck to be a worldwide supplier of bulktablets, a regional supplier of finished packsand currently supplies approximately 20% of the company’s tablet volume.

“The site is convenient for transport linksbeing close to main roads, a good regionalairport and regular rail services to London and our headquarters in the home countries.The people in the region are skilled, reliable,friendly and loyal and there is an industrialheritage which supports process industriesand proven effective industries, includingautomotive and tier suppliers. ”

The Specials Laboratory• Pharmaceutical manufacturer• Low Prudhoe, Northumberland• 125 employees in Northumberland

The Specials Lab’s core business ismanufacturing and supplying unlicenseddrugs (‘specials’) and over-labelled medicinesto community and hospital pharmacists and doctors throughout the UK and Ireland. They also provide a veterinary manufacturingservice to support vet surgeries which require unlicensed medicines for animals.Specials are required for patients that have amedical need that cannot be met by a standardlicence product. The majority of productsmanufactured are made to meet the medicalneeds of an individual patient.

“Given our business has gone from a handfulof staff to around 125 in the 12 years we havebeen in Prudhoe, we fully understand andappreciate the value of having our businessin Northumberland. Many of our employeesare from the local community and surroundingareas so can enjoy a superb quality of life inthis beautiful part of the world. Although wesupply across the UK and increasingly inIreland, we expect to be here for many yearsto come.”

Aesica Pharmaceuticals Ltd• Full-service provider of formulated products

and active pharmaceutical ingredients• Cramlington, Northumberland• 141 employees in Northumberland

The active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)which Aesica manufactures in Cramlingtoncan be found incorporated into medicines allover the world. Aesica is a fast growing globalcompany headquartered in Newcastle uponTyne with operations across Europe thatstarted at the Cramlington site.

Northumberland council continues to supportAesica’s growth and recently helped thebusiness secure £630,000 of support fromthe government’s Regional Growth Fund.

“Aesica has been able to realise its ambitionsfor the growth of the API division of thebusiness in Northumberland with access to a skilled and loyal skills base and willcontinue to invest in its future.”

Covance Laboratories Ltd• Contract Research Organisation • Alnwick, Northumberland• 140 employees in Northumberland

Covance is one of the world’s largest and mostcomprehensive drug development servicescompanies. Through its discovery, non-clinical,clinical and commercialisation services, Covancehas helped pharmaceutical and biotechcompanies develop one third of all prescriptionmedicines on the market today.

“The quality of life in Northumberland issecond-to-none. Transport and travel links, by road, rail and air, support access to thebusiness from elsewhere in the UK andoverseas.”

Piramal Healthcare UK Ltd (Pharma Solutions)• Pharmaceutical manufacturing• Morpeth, Northumberland• 360 employees in Northumberland

Pharma Solutions (PPS), a division of PiramalHealthcare, is a leading global pharmaceuticalcontract development and manufacturingorganisation offering services across the entire drug– from development andcommercial manufacturing to off-patentsupplies of API and formulations.Their Morpethsite specialises in API development andmanufacturing, formulations developmentand manufacturing, commercial packaging and clinical trials manufacturing and supplies.

“Morpeth had several major advantages that ensured Searle’s future lay in the NorthEast. It wasn’t just the Government grants orthe fact that there was an abundance ofskilled labour, which had traditionally beenemployed in industries such as mining; therewere also good road, rail and air links to therest of the country and worldwide.”

MSD

Advanced EngineeringThe UK is a world leader in advanced engineering, which is at the heart of the Northumberland economy. Ourcapabilities range from mechanical engineering, throughadvanced composite materials to pipeline technology, as well as unique niche products. Leading engineeringfirms based in Northumberland include; Draeger, AAF(American Air filters), Advanced Electronics, CramlingtonPrecision Forge, IHC, Precision Hydraulic Cylinders,Renown Engineering and Tharsus Group.

8 9IHCIHC Engineering Business,part of the Merwede Groupworld-class engineering ofbespoke solutions, for the oil& gas and renewable industry.

“The affordability andavailability of the space hasenabled us to create capacity for growth and will put us in anexcellent position to compete in global markets and attractfurther long-term contracts.”Tharsus Group

10 11AAF (American Air Filters)

• Air filter and acoustic solutions for large gas turbines• Cramlington, Northumberland• 250 employees in Northumberland

AAF was founded in1921 and established its base atCramlington in1966. Today the company is a global marketleader in the design, manufacture and service of air-filtrationand noise-control products for gas turbine, diesel engine and compressor applications. Its operations are separated into two separate divisions (power and industrial and air filtration) which between them produce a wide range ofself-cleaning, barrier and viscous impingement filtrationsystems for the removal of airborne sand, dust and saltparticles from the combustion air of gas turbines,compressors and diesel engines for onshore and offshorepower generation applications.

The AAF Power and Industrial Division is responsible forproducts such as machinery air filtration and inlet cooling,acoustics and silencers, dust and fume control, as well as air pollution control systems. Meanwhile, the company’s AirFiltration Division creates air filter products and systems,clean-room air filtration and replacement air filters.

“Northumberland is perfectlysituated for business. Good road transport links via the A1 and A19 mean that travel to andfrom Northumberland is easy fromanywhere in the UK. Newcastle isalso easily accessed by rail throughthe East Coast Mainline whichconnects London with Edinburgh.For overseas business and travelNorthumberland is serviced byNewcastle International Airport and for shipping freight we have the Port of Blyth close by.”

Draeger Safety UK Ltd

• Medical and safety technology• Blyth, Northumberland• 350 employees in Northumberland

As an international leader in medical and safety technology,Draeger is in the business of developing innovative safetyequipment. Since establishing a manufacturing base inBlyth in 1965, the UK division of the company has grown to become a large regional employer, with around 350people working in a range of specialist areas. The Blyth sitebecame the centralised location for air breathing apparatuswithin the worldwide Draeger Group and is heavily involvedin the research and development behind Draeger’scompressed air breathing apparatus.

Among its many reasons for choosing to locate in Blyth, the company cites the region’s strong, active and supportiveChamber of Commerce, good government support, a hard-working and dedicated workforce, a strong local history inmanufacturing, access to educational and other institutes,good transportation links with access to road, air, sea andrail, a strong supplier network and a strong manufacturingnetwork leading to world-class bench marking.

“There are several key reasons why we have found Northumberland to be an outstanding location forbusiness, such as a strong, active and supportive Chamber ofCommerce, good government support and a hard-working anddedicated workforce. The region also has a strong history inmanufacturing and there is excellent access to educational and other institutes. The area alsoboasts good transportation links with access to road, air, sea and rail, a strong supplier network and a strong manufacturing network leading to world-class benchmarking.”

AAF (American Air Filters)

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Advanced Electronics Ltd• Electronic fire detection and life

safety equipment• Cramlington, Northumberland• 90 employees in Northumberland

Advanced Electronics is one of the world’sleading fire systems businesses.

Formed 14 years ago, it now exports to over70 countries and has offices and subsidiariesin the UK, US, Australia and the Middle East.Advanced products are continuously protectingmany of the world’s most prestigious andchallenging developments and it is a brand of choice for fire professionals everywhere.

Advanced Electronics is successful because of a total commitment to product quality and performance, continued investment inR&D and an unwavering focus on customerrequirements.

“Being based in Cramlington gives us anumber of advantages; we have a strong, loyaland committed workforce and good transportconnections. Cramlington has also been ideal as we have grown, with manufacturingand administrative space and land available for expansion and new facilities.”

Cramlington Precision Forge• Precision warm-forging unit• Cramlington, Northumberland• 68 employees in Northumberland

Cramlington Precision Forge (CPF) provideshigh-quality, precision-forged components tothe commercial vehicle sector and industrialmarkets, including differential gears and pinions,precision-forged clutches, drive couplings andhydraulic shafts and cylinders. The company’swarm-forging expertise and gear-developmentskills at Cramlington ensure that CPF is able to compete in a market with a limited supply base, providing customers time-saving solutions to manufacture, and if a precision-forgedcomponent will reduce manufacturing time andwaste then we are here to offer that service.

IHC Precision Hydraulic Cylinders (UK) LtdCramlington Precision Forge

IHC• Engineering• Hexham, Northumberland• 225 employees in Northumberland

IHC Engineering Business is part of the Dutch shipbuilding group IHC Merwede, and specialises in the design and build ofequipment for the offshore oil and gas,submarine telecoms and renewablesindustries. The Northumberland based firmwas founded in 1997 and was originally calledThe Engineering Business. In 2008 they joinedthe IHC Merwede group to become what is now known as ‘IHC Engineering Business’.

IHC Engineering Business (IHC EB) works with clients across the offshore oil and gas,submarine telecoms and renewable offshorepower industries. They provide a full customerjourney from concept development, productdelivery through to life cycle support. Their coreexpertise includes pipe and cable lay, subseatrenching and offshore handling systems.

IHC EB also has a global network of support from its parent company IHC Merwede, with over 3,000 employees based at various locationsin the Netherlands, China, Croatia, France, India,the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia,Singapore, Slovakia, the UK and the USA.

“We operate from headquarters in StocksfieldHall, these rural facilities provide a relaxingatmosphere and stimulating environment forinnovative design with easy access to keytransport links for IHC EB's international clientbase. Access to deep-water port facilities withdirect access to the North Sea is vital for thetype of equipment IHC Engineering Businesscreates. This equipment is utilised to lay andbury pipe and cables for the oil, gas andoffshore industry in these productive waters.”

Precision Hydraulic Cylinders (UK) Ltd• Design and manufacture of hydraulic

cylinders and accumulators• Cramlington, Northumberland• 70 employees in Northumberland

Precision Hydraulic Cylinders (PHC) is one of the premier manufacturers of cylinders forthe material handling and mobile equipmentindustries. PHC specialises in the supply ofhydraulic cylinders to many of the leadingglobal OEMs in the lift-truck, material handlingand mobile equipment markets. PHC has thecapability to provide hydraulic cylinders tomeet almost any requirement of the mobileequipment industry. The company provides acomprehensive design, service, and supportto OEM's during all phases of development,testing, and production to ensure smoothintegration and superior product performance.

“Northumberland County Council has given us tremendous assistance andsupport. In particular with training, building acquisition and grant availability and preparation.”

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Renown Engineering• Engineering• Cramlington, Northumberland• 100 employees in Northumberland

Renown Engineering supplies engineeredcomponents to the marine/offshore, oil andgas, defence, and construction industries. The company has developed its corecapabilities within its 37,000sqft facility toinclude complex fabrication, high integritywelding, design, precision machining, NACEcertified coating and painting, assembly and test of products –all under one roof.Renown also works closely with NorthumbriaUniversity to support university research andproduct development, as well as offer careeropportunities for graduates. The company’ssuccess is supported by a supplier base which benefits from the quality and expertiseof other businesses located within theNorthumbria area.

“Our Northumberland, and more specificallyCramlington, base benefits from a longheritage of engineering and manufacturing.This town is already on the map, and whenyou tell prospective clients where you are,they have heard of it. Although we supplyoutside of the region as well as within,Renown has a strong bond with many localcompanies, both suppliers and customers.Quite simply, it is because of this we havebeen able to grow the company fourfold, andoperate two more facilities in the North East.”

Tharsus Group• Engineering and manufacturing• Blyth, Northumberland

Tharsus Group manufactures a diverseportfolio of complete electro-mechanicalproducts and metalwork components forcustomers, ranging from global corporationsto start-up entrepreneurs.The company workswith customers to develop technologies innew markets such as hi-tech scanning,hydrogen fuel cells and electric vehicle chargingpoints. The co-location of development andengineering alongside manufacturing andassembly enables an integrated service to helpcustomers bring large electro-mechanicalproducts to market.

“The site at Cowley Road sits at the heart of our long-term growth plans, so the supportwe’ve received in transforming it from itsderelict state to a modern manufacturingfacility has been invaluable.The affordabilityand availability of the space has enabled us to create capacity for growth and will put us in an excellent position to compete inglobal markets and attract further long-termcontracts. We’re confident that there is great potential within the workforce thatexists in the region.”

Top:Renown EngineeringAbove:Tharsus Group

ManufacturingNorthumberland has a long manufacturing tradition which is maintained by a diverse group of outstanding businesses.Skilled local labour, excellent transport links and access toregional universities and centres of excellence all contribute to a great business environment.

Key companies include Kilfrost, EGGER UK, AkzoNobel, JackelInternational UK, Renolit, SCA,TT Electronics,Thermacore and Salamander Precision Technology.

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EGGER UK ‘Cooling stars’ at Northumberland’slargest manufacturing employer,EGGER UK, where particleboard ismanufactured for the UK furnitureand house-building industries.

“Being based in Cramlington gives us anumber of advantages. Aswell as access to a strong and loyal workforce and goodtransport connections, wehave also been able to grow;with manufacturing andadministrative space andland available for expansionand new facilities.” Advanced Electronics Ltd

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AkzoNobel• Manufacturer of paints, coatings

and producer of specialty chemicals• Ashington, Northumberland • 140 employees in Northumberland

(3,900 in UK; 57,200 worldwide)

AkzoNobel is a leading global paints andcoatings company and a major producer ofspecialty chemicals. They supply industriesand consumers worldwide with innovativeproducts and are passionate about developingsustainable answers for their customers. Their portfolio includes well-known brandssuch as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka.Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands,they are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. Withoperations in more than 80 countries, theirpeople around the world are committed toexcellence and delivering Tomorrow’s Answers Today™.

“Our investment in Northumberlandhighlights the importance of the North Eastto AkzoNobel’s operations, placing theregion at the heart of our manufacturingbusiness in the UK for the long term. Ourintention, through Ashington, is to make animportant step change across our business,with part of this being about ensuring thatour leading brands: Dulux, Cuprinol,Hammerite and Pollycell, continue to bemanufactured here.”

EGGER (UK) Ltd• Manufacturer of wood-based panels• Hexham, Northumberland• 547 employees in Northumberland

EGGER is one of Europe’s leading manufacturersof wood-based panels, producing acomprehensive product portfolio for thefurniture and interior design, wood-constructionand flooring industries. The company’s coreexpertise lies in the manufacturing of chipboard,which is further upgraded into decorativeboards which are then utilised in the constructionof kitchen carcasses and doors, commercialand retail furniture and also furniture forcaravans. With such a broad range of furnituremanufacturers the company has developed an expertise in colour and trend forecasting.

“The combination of local timber and woodsupplies, a loyal and dedicated workforce,good road networks to our customer base,along with local support, has shown over manyyears that Hexham in Northumberland is anideal manufacturing location for ourbusiness.”

Jackel International UK Ltd • Design and Manufacture of baby feeding

accessories• Cramlington, Northumberland• 180 employees in Northumberland

Mayborn Baby & Child is the owner of TommeeTippee, the leading brand of infant and toddlerfeeding products in Great Britain and one ofthe fastest growing brands in the global babyessentials market. Through its sub-brands – Closer to Nature, Explora and Sangenic –Tommee Tippee offers a wide range of innovativeaward-winning products. The company hasreceived numerous accolades in Great Britain,including Gold Medals in the prestigiousMother & Baby Awards.

Kilfrost

• De/anti-icing technology and manufacturing• Haltwhistle, Northumberland• 60 employees in Northumberland

Celebrating 80 years of business in 2012, Kilfrost is the world leader in the de/anti-icing sector and is committed to developing evermore innovative and environmentally-friendly winter solutions for aviation and transportationindustries across the globe.

Kilfrost works with customers in 63 countries across fivecontinents and has strong relationships with many of the world’s major airports and airlines. Kilfrost continues to meet customer demands by producing eco-friendly, bio-derived sustain products as well as its traditional Type I,Type II, Type IV and ground de/anti-icing products for theaviation and transportation industries.

“Kilfrost has been operatingfrom the North East for 80years and has contributed to building the reputation of companies in the region on both a national andinternational scale. We areextremely proud of our strongroots in the area and it isimmensely rewarding to bepart of the business industryin the North East and to helpsupport the wider community.”

EGGER (UK) Ltd

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Renolit• Manufacture of plastic films for

technical applications• Cramlington, Northumberland• 245 employees in Northumberland

Renolit is an international leader in themanufacture of high-quality plastic films andrelated products for technical applications.The company’s thermoplastic films providefurniture, building components and consumerelectronics with a decorative surface finish,while the films and tubes it produces are used in medical applications and recyclablecomposite panels. Renolit film is also used asa key material for office management supplies,vehicle interiors, self-adhesive products forgraphic design and labelling products.

“What we have found helpful from a health,safety and environmental perspective is the proximity of several universities, who are all keen to establish links with industry. We have had students from the Universities of Newcastle and Sunderland carrying outresearch projects and work placements here,and we use the analytical facilities at theUniversity of Northumbria.”

Salamander Precision Technology• Fishing tackle manufacturing• Alnwick, Northumberland• 54 in Northumberland

Salamander Precision Technology Ltdspecialises in providing precision technologyfor the fishing tackle sector. The companyuses a patented technology which removesthe need for knots when fishing.

“The assistance given by NorthumberlandCounty Council and Arch is invaluable to us.Their approach to support a new business and the community has been first class andhas helped us establish our businessfoundation in Alnwick.”

SCA• Toilet tissue and paper hand towel

manufacturing• Prudhoe, Northumberland• 410 in Northumberland

SCA is a global hygiene and forest companythat develops and produces personal care,tissue and forest products, including manywell-known brands such as Velvet, Plenty,Cushelles, Bodyform and TENA. The companyacquired Prudhoe Mill in 1997 and it is a keystrategic asset for SCA, regularly winningcompany awards for its manufacturingperformance and environmental improvements.SCA sales of over €11billion are conducted in some 100 countries and the business hasbeen named one of the most ethical companiesin the world.

“Northumberland has been a great locationfor SCA to invest and grow. In Prudhoe wehave been able to recruit a skilled anddedicated workforce with a strong work ethic, while our close links with enthusiasticlocal training providers and educationalestablishments mean there is a steady flow of talented youngsters keen to make a careerin manufacturing. Our location gives us readyaccess to major arterial routes, we have space to continuing developing the businessand the Tyne Valley offers an outstanding quality of life to employees and potentialrecruits relocating from elsewhere in the UKor overseas.”

Thermacore Europe Ltd• Manufacturing of thermal cooling systems• Ashington, Northumberland• 63 employees in Northumberland

Thermacore’s products are shipped globally to 24 different countries, with 70% of thecompany’s goods being exported. Theseproducts typically involve the moving,spreading and dissipating of heat by usingsilicone-based semi-conductor componentsand products, such as heat pipes, advancedheat sinks, vapour chambers, heat exchangers,cold plates and liquid cooling systems. As a result, Thermacore solutions can befound in many applications, including mobiletelephone base stations, military radar,locomotive equipment, DNA replication and test equipment.

“Thermacore moved to the WansbeckBusiness Park with assistance from a RegionalDevelopment grant. The Business Park waschosen because it was a new developmentand there were many empty facilities to choose from which were suitable for our sizeand capacity required. There was also a largechoice of local employees to compliment the workforce retained from the business in Wooler.”

TT Electronics Welwyn Components• Electronic components manufacturing • Bedlington, Northumberland• 221 employees in Northumberland

TT Electronics Welwyn Components is a world leader in the design and manufacture of resistors and micro-electronic assembliesfor global customers.

Custom micro-electronic assemblies providesolutions to many applications that cannot be achieved with standard products, so frombasic miniaturised circuits to complex multi-function packages, Welwyn utilises substrates,interconnect and packaging technologies toachieve improvements in reliability, durability,thermal management and electrical and noiseperformance. TT also design and manufacturea wide range of fixed resistors from mW chipsto kW.

“Northumberland has excellent travel links for our global customers, suppliers and colleagues and within the localcommunity we have developed a highlyskilled and loyal workforce: the regionaleducation system supports some of ourmost talented engineers.”

Renolit Thermacore Europe Ltd TT Electronics Welwyn Components

Energy: Oil & Gas and RenewablesOur engineering skills, proximity to North Sea energyresources, port infrastructure and easy road access havemade Northumberland a natural home for the UK’s offshoreenergy industry.The National Renewable Energy Centre(Narec) is located in Blyth, giving Northumberland a pivotalrole in the development and commercialisation of offshorerenewables. Industry-leading companies include AdvancedEngineering Solutions, Archer, PII Pipeline Solutions,CMP Products, Avid Technology and Narec.

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PII Pipeline Solutions, a GE Oil & Gas and Al Shaheenjoint ventureA ‘smart’ pig, invented 35 years ago to inspect pipelines, designed towithstand the harshest environments in the North Sea. Now deployedworldwide from Northumberland.

“Northumberland is afantastic place to work and live. Transport links to the rest of the UK andinternationally are excellent.There is a well-skilled andflexible local workforce, with the region’s excellentuniversities providing a good supply of talentedgraduates.” AVID Technology

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Advanced Engineering Solutions• Pipeline Engineers and Consultants• Cramlington, Northumberland• 36 employees in Northumberland

Advanced Engineering Solutions offersspecialist pipeline equipment engineering forthe pipeline inspection industry and has coreexpertise in mechanical, material, electronicsand software engineering. Based on a blend ofapplied consultancy, engineering developmentactivities and specialist technical operations,AES is involved in water engineering, gasengineering and pipeline coating projectsthroughout the UK, including the assessmentand improvement of the operating performanceof water pipelines, as well as conditionassessment of low and medium gas mains.

Archer (UK) Ltd• Drilling and well services• Blyth, Northumberland• 50 employees in Northumberland

Archer is an established global oilfield servicecompany based on a 40-year heritage.The company employs over 8,300 personnelthrough 118 global locations, with key regionalbases in the North Sea, the Middle East, Asia,North and Latin America.

The Blyth base specialises in engineeringdesign with a primary focus on drilling packagesfor oil rigs. The base currently houses anexperienced team of 50 multidisciplineengineers who provide engineering and designexpertise on offshore installations in the NorthSea and around the world to support platformdrilling operations. This will increase to 120engineers and designers during 2013 and afurther recruitment campaign in 2014 will bringpersonnel numbers to 180.

Worldwide the company’s comprehensivedrilling and maintenance services includeplatform drilling, land drilling, modular rigs,directional drilling, drill bits, fluids, engineeringand equipment rentals, as well as a select rangeof well delivery support services and products.Archer’s well services capabilities also includeintervention solutions aimed at improving wellperformance and extending well life.

PII Pipeline Solutions

• Pipeline inspection and integrity services for oil and gas operators

• Cramlington, Northumberland• 210 employees in Northumberland

PII Pipeline Solutions was born from research workoriginally carried out in the 1970’s at the British GasEngineering Research Station in Killingworth with the aim of developing advanced inspection technology to keep the UK’s gas pipeline network safe. The team at PII hascontinued that tradition of research and innovation and its latest generation technology is now serving customersfrom North America to China and all points in-between.

Based in Cramlington since1979, PII is now one of theindustry leaders in pipeline inspection services, offeringmore tool technologies and more enhanced data analysismethodologies than any other pipeline integrity company.With over one million kilometres of pipeline inspectedworldwide during the last 35 years, PII’s advancedassessment techniques form the basis of a broad scope ofpipeline integrity services, offering technological expertise,field experience, and advanced data managementcapabilities to help their customers meet increasinglystringent regulatory requirements, and to enhance thesafety, productivity and asset life of pipelines.

“PII Pipeline Solutions is ashining example of theengineering and technologyexcellence that is firmlyrooted in the North East’sDNA. PII’s latest contract winsin China are great news forlocal jobs, skills developmentand building the North East’seconomy. The PII team atCramlington deserve creditfor continuously raising thebar on the reliable innovationthat the global oil and gasindustry needs.” Ronnie Campbell, MP for Blyth Valley

PII Pipeline Solutions Archer (UK) Ltd

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AVID Technology• Specialists in emissions and fuel

consumption reduction • Cramlington, Northumberland• 10 employees in Northumberland

AVID Technology specialises in the design,manufacture and distribution of technologyproducts which reduce the emissions and fuel consumption of heavy duty vehicles.Thecompany’s thermal management products are used by leading manufacturers of trucks,buses, construction equipment and otherheavy machinery to control temperature of critical systems on low-emission diesel,electric and hybrid vehicles.

Founded in 2004, the company is based inCramlington and continues to go from strengthto strength, supplying vehicle manufacturers,tier-one suppliers and the aftermarketthroughout Europe.

With noted expertise in control systems,cooling systems, water pumps, cooling fans,Micro Hybrid systems, fuel saving and emissionsreduction, AVID Technology is deliveringreductions in fuel consumption and emissionsby up to 15% and a return on investment ofless than 18 months.

“Northumberland is a fantastic place to workand live. Transport links to the rest of the UKand internationally are excellent. There is awell-skilled and flexible local work force, withthe region’s excellent universities providing a good supply of talented graduates.”

CMP Products Ltd• Design and manufacture of Cable Glands,

Connectors and Accessories• Cramlington, Northumberland• 215 employees in Northumberland

A leading specialist manufacturer of cableglands, cable connectors and associatedaccessories, CMP’s products are usedextensively for power, control, lighting andinstrumentation cable applications in connectionwith IEC and NEC cables. The company’sproduct portfolio also offers a variety ofsolutions for use in marine, hazardous andnon-hazardous areas across a large selectionof cable types.

Narec’s 3MW Drive Train Test Facility –Testing of AtlantisResources AR1000 Tidal Turbine

National Renewable Energy Centre(Narec)• A controlled development environment

for the marine and offshore industry supplychains to undertake research, testing andsea trials of new equipment

• Blyth, Northumberland• 90 employees in Northumberland

£150m has been invested at Narec to providethe most comprehensive open-access testand research facilities anywhere in the worldfor the scale-up of offshore renewable energytechnologies.

These reliability, design verification andaccelerated life testing facilities have beenbuilt to meet demand for the development ofbigger offshore turbines and bigger blades.

Narec has adapted three docks for testingsubsea equipment, such as: rock trenchers,ROVs, tether management systems, sonar devices and robots. The docks arecomplemented by electrical and materialslaboratories for the development of powertake-off systems, failure analysis, materialsand coatings selection, cable joint integritytests and electrical grid integration.

The proposed Blyth Offshore WindDemonstration Site is the largest open-accessdemonstration site in the UK, and is now in aposition to leverage the additional investmentthat will make it a world-leading provingground for novel and cost reducing offshorewind technologies.

“Narec is located on the River Blyth withdeep-water quayside access to enable largetest pieces, such as wind turbine blades andnacelles, to be offloaded into our facilities.”

Food and DrinkFood and drink plays a vital part in the modernNorthumberland economy, with global brands like Coca-Cola and General Mills and long-established localfirms such as Simpsons Malt. Rural Northumberland iscapitalising on growing demands for distinctive, high-quality, locally-sourced food. Culpitt and Silvery TweedCereals are examples of successful niche producers andproducts like Craster Kippers and Lindisfarne Oystershave an international reputation.

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General MillsGeneral Mills employ highly-trained operators using stateof the art equipment ensuringthe highest safety standardand best quality product forour customers.

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Culpitt• Food decoration manufacturer• Ashington, Northumberland• 242 employees in Northumberland

As the leading UK wholesale supplier andmanufacturer of cake decorating andsugarcraft products to trade customers,Culpitt manufactures cake boards, cake cards,sugar fondant sheets for photocake, printededible cake decorations and moulded sugarcake decorations.The company exportsproducts to many European countries, theUSA and Australia and was awarded the‘Queens Award for Enterprise’ in 2012. Culpittalso uses a worldwide network of specialistsuppliers to develop exclusive tools, decorationsand edible products for its own range.

“Culpitt and Sugarfayre have manufacturedin Ashington, Northumberland since 1947and our success has largely been basedaround the strength of a loyal and committedworkforce. Employing nearly 250 staff acrossour three sites, the low turnover of staff has been crucial to the longevity of the firm in that we have been able to rely on generations of the local population tounderpin the standards that our customershave come to expect. In addition, we haveinvested heavily in all our sites, much of this has been helped by the funding that thelocal council and governmental agencies haveprovided. Their advice and assistance hasbeen crucial in gaining the funding, which in turn has allowed us to give job security to the workforce in clearly challenging times.From an infrastructure point of view, having a thriving and growing airport situated soclose to Newcastle upon Tyne has given usthe ability to service our customers and withthe advent of broadband and the internet we are capable from our Ashington base to build relationships despite not being basedin the middle of a large city.”

Silvery Tweed Cereals• Food ingredients manufacturer• Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland• 70 employees in Northumberland

Silvery Tweed Cereals produces refined cerealsfor food production, including a large range offlakes, cut grains and specialty flours whichcustomers then use in many applications– suchas soups, sauces, breakfast cereals and breads.The company also produces a wide range ofsweet and savoury coatings for oats, barleywheat and puffed cereals, while its seed plant isdedicated to the cleaning and blending of seedsto a world-class standard and uses the latestmetal detection and in-line magnet technologyto ensure product quality and integrity.

“Northumberland is a good base for us interms of raw material supply as we arelocated in a very good grain-growing region.We have also benefited from grant supportthrough DEFRA and ONE over the past 10years. We have a good team with skills whichwe have supported with external training,usually through consultancy or travellingaway for training.”

Simpsons Malt Ltd • Maltsters and agricultural merchants• Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland• 161 employees in Northumberland

Family-owned independent maltsters,Simpsons Malt specialises in brewing,distilling, food processing and agriculturethroughout the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia,USA, Canada and Africa.

Celebrating 150 years in 2012, and managedby the 5th generation of the Simpsons family,the company remains focused on its core maltingbusiness, investing in excess of £80m overthe last 25 years.

After moving from Alnwick in the 1960s, thecompany is now headquartered in the historictown of Berwick-upon-Tweed –an area famousfor its barley. Simpsons Malt produces inexcess of 280,000 tonnes of malt each yeartherefore, the quality and security of supply is paramount. Northumberland provides theperfect place for the procurement andwellbeing of the Simpsons’ precious harvest.

“There are clear and unique advantages tobeing based in Northumberland; the quality of life is exceptional. Our close proximity tohigh-quality raw materials and the harbour at Berwick is also crucial to our success.”

Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd

• Soft drinks company • Morpeth, Northumberland• 42 employees in Northumberland

Residing in Morpeth since 2008, Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE)have quickly established themselves as a key part of the localcommunity, producing 3.2 million cases of drinks every year.

Morpeth is the only CCE water site in Great Britain, andNorthumberland as a whole has helped the company to grow from strength to strength, both in regards to businessdevelopment and in their fundamental aim to achieve thehighest standards of sustainability in the manufacturing anddistribution of products. CCE has been hugely impressed bythe calibre of people and the varying skills they have beenable to draw upon from across the region for their workforce.

“At CCE we pride ourselveson our efforts to bring realvalue to all the areas in whichwe operate, and at each sitewe are dedicated to becominga local business, for localpeople. We are continuing todevelop strong relationships,for example with local tradebodies and educationalinstitutions, as we look to put more back into the NorthEast community.”

Culpitt

ServicesThe service industry is an integral part of what keeps the Northumberland economy moving and encouragesinter business trading. In such a diverse sectorNorthumberland is home to leading companies such as;Fergusons Group and Potts Print. There are alsoexamples of niche service sector companies such as Dipsticks Research.

32 33IHCIHC Engineering Business,part of the Merwede Groupworld-class engineering ofbespoke solutions, for the oil& gas and renewable industry,from its NorthumberlandHeadquarters.

34 35Dipsticks Research Ltd

• Full-service market research agency • Hexham, Northumberland• 48 employees in Northumberland

Founded in 1997, Dipsticks Research is a full-service marketresearch agency specialising in the provision of bespokemedia and marketing communications research. Today,Dipsticks is flourishing and continues to work with some of the biggest media brands in the UK, using cutting-edgetechnology and advanced research techniques.

The company has also launched several sub-brandsthroughout the years. One such sub-brand is ‘PublicKnowledge’, the public and third sector division of thecompany, with a client list that includes local government,education, health, housing, charities and arts and leisure.

Also launched in 2005, ‘Other lines of Enquiry’ specialises in radio research and the design of innovative consumerresearch projects to increase the profitability andcompetitiveness of clients’ business. Otherlines.tv, a specialist TV brand, was launched in 2011.

“As a company who largely compete for business againstLondon-based agencies,Northumberland is a great place for us to do business as it allows us to offer more competitive prices withoutcompromising the quality of the service we offer.”

Dipsticks Research Ltd Potts Print

Fergusons Group• Transport and Logistics, Warehousing,

Self Storage, Removals• Cramlington, Northumberland• 300 employees in Northumberland

Fergusons Transport, part of the FergusonsBlyth Group, is the largest privately ownedhaulier in North East England. The companyhas strategically located depots, traffic andwarehousing facilities in close proximity to major cities giving quick and easy access tocustomers and major transport routes. Overthe years Fergusons has built up a portfolio of customers comprised of local, national andinternational companies from many industrysectors in the UK and Europe.

“The core values of our staff are honesty,integrity and hard work, all of whichNorthumbrians have in abundance.”

Potts Print• Printing, Packaging and Direct Mail• Cramlington, Northumberland• 162 employees

Potts Print delivers cutting-edge lithographicand customised business print services to the UK and Europe.The company also offersbespoke design and print services to thepackaging market and specialises in creating,printing and delivering innovative andsustainable carton board solutions to the retail,health and beauty, gift and DIY sectors. On topof all which, Potts Print provides productionservices with direct mail and fulfilment facilities.

“Northumberland has a good reputationaround the country due to the history andheritage of the region and there are excellenttransport links to the rest of the country, andthe world (A1, Newcastle Airport, national rail services, bus services for employees).There is also a variety of suppliers right on ourdoorstep, including forklifts, recycling and IT.”

36 Arch, The Northumberland Development Company exists tohelp your business make the very most of all the outstandingbenefits that Northumberland has to offer. Our highlyexperienced team is able to give you not only invaluablepractical advice, but can also help you find the perfect premisesfor your needs. And should you need detailed informationabout skills, training and recruitment availability in the area, oryou require introductions to the region’s excellent universitiesand research centres, you only have to ask.

In addition, we will happily advise you on any grant supportyou may be able to access and we can even help your keypersonnel and their families find the houses and schools thatwill make them feel right at home here.

However, helping you to settle in Northumberland is only thestart of the story. From the moment you decide to locate in our county we will be with you every step of the way, with ourStrategic Account Management service always on-hand tosupport you and your business.

We want your business to succeed and grow here, so why notfind out what we can do to help make it happen?

To find out more about investmentopportunities contact the Invest inNorthumberland team at Arch:

T +44 (0)1670 528 400E info@arch-group.co.uk

ArchArch Enterprise CentreLintonville ParkwayAshingtonNorthumberlandNE63 9JZ

www.archnorthumberland.co.uk

Designed by Gardiner Richardson

Main photography by Marcus Ginns.Thanks also to NorthumberlandCounty Council (Aesica pg 5) andNarec pg 27.

Please note, information correct attime of print.

Arch Arch Enterprise CentreLintonville ParkwayAshingtonNorthumberlandNE63 9JZ

T +44 (0)1670 528 400www.archnorthumberland.co.uk