Engineering Firms To Benefit From “Biggest And Best” Business Breakfast

Tees Valley engineering firms have a week to get on board to learn about multimillion-pound supply chain opportunities from three leading businesses.

Senior figures from Hitachi Rail Europe, Cleveland Bridge and ISG plc will deliver keynote presentations at an event held by the Tees Engineering Network (TEN) on Friday, October 12 at 8am.

Taking place at Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall, the breakfast briefing will outline how local firms can work with these businesses and is expected to be attended by more than 100 people.

ISG is the main design and build contractor delivering the first phase at Symmetry Park in the town, a 1.5million square foot distribution centre.

Cleveland Bridge is a global leader in technology-based engineering, construction and steel fabrication services, and just a few weeks ago announced a 12% increase in turnover on the previous year.

Train manufacturer Hitachi Rail has recently been shortlisted for a £360million contract to build and maintain rolling stock for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has also led calls on the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, to award a £2.8billion HS2 manufacturing contract to the Newton Aycliffe firm.

Tees Engineering Network was set up in 2013 to support the region’s engineering supply chain by keeping businesses informed of new opportunities and provide a forum for networking. It is led by Francis Brown Ltd, Axiom Engineering Associates Ltd and Industrial & Marine Hydraulics Ltd with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen welcomed the business breakfast and added: “These major companies are investing millions of pounds into our regional economy. They’re investing, employing, training and exporting, but we need to make sure local firms and local workers benefit in the supply chain too. I urge every business leader to sign up, get involved, and learn about the huge procurement opportunities on offer.”

Richard Miles, Project Director for ISG, said: “Symmetry Park is a huge development, which includes a 1.5million sq ft facility set to be operational by next summer. We are looking forward to being able to highlight the ways in which Tees Valley firms are currently working with us and provide opportunities for others to support our delivery of this significant project.”

Rob O’Hara, Category Lead at Hitachi Rail said: “Events such as these are key to engage with potential local suppliers. We have spent the last few years localising our supply chain and believe in the benefits of building relationships with our industry partners in the North East.”

Phil Heathcock, Chief Financial Officer at Cleveland Bridge, said: “As a firm with 150 years of history in the Tees Valley, we understand the unrivalled talent on offer and share the commitment that other companies have to seeing the area succeed. We’re excited to be outlining our plans on how we can engage further with the local supply chain and boost the future growth of our area.”

Helen Burdon from IMH, one of the founding members of TEN, said: “Our engineering supply chain breakfasts are only going from strength to strength and this will be our biggest and best event yet, with spaces going fast. This will be the first time we have hosted three businesses, all with exciting projects in the pipeline for which will provide a vast amount of opportunities across the supply chain.”

The free event has been sponsored by Darlington Borough Council and the Combined Authority as part of their Darlington Business Week, with breakfast supplied by Rockliffe Hall.

Engineering companies based in Tees Valley can register at tees-engineering-network.co.uk