News

Manufacturing industry is more open to investments, despite tough environment


A new market research by Barclays has revealed that companies in the manufacturing sector are still actively investing back into their business, despite the tougher economic climate.

As a media report reveals, more than half of companies participating in this research study (54 per cent) revealed plans to actually boost investment spend over the next 12 months, while only 20 per cent considered that they’re likely to actually cut back on investments.

Law firm set to make up to 7 percent of the staff redundant


 Law firm Bond Dickinson, that was formed earlier this former following the merger of Bristol-headquartered Bond Pearce and Dickinson Dees in Newcastle, has revealed that it will have to make up to 7 percent of its staff redundant, as a result of duplication.

College in Darlington set for multimillion-pound expansion


Darlington College is set to undergo an serious extension programme worth a few million pounds, in a bid to revamp its construction department, while also adding a new student services area with new IT facilities.

Building works to Darlington College’s construction area will include a two-part redesign to sport its own dedicated entrance and advanced brick and plastering workshops, as well as green energy, electrical and plumbing workshops and new painting and decorating training suites.

Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG) set to create 350 new jobs in Southern North Sea


Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG) is set to create 350 jobs in the North East area in order to assist in the build of four gas platforms for the Cygnus gas field project in the southern North Sea.

The deal means about 10,500 tons of fabrication work will be done in Hartlepool and will ensure work in the yard until 2015.

Kier wins £100m contract for developing Swan Hunter shipyard


North Tyneside’s former Swan Hunter shipyard is set to undergo a huge, £100m-worth regeneration and re-development process, with Kier Property managing to secure the contract designed to breathe new life into the 34-acre site.

Grampian Continental achieves solid growth with the help of new North East base


Scottish haulage company Grampian Continental has managed to record 50 per cent of its annual sales target in six months, which put it four years ahead of its business plan and on track to hit the £20m turnover mark by 2015.

According to a media report, Grampian’s success is directly related to its £70,000 investment in its first North East England base, adding to offices in Great Yarmouth, Holland and Italy, which service 500 mainly oil and gas clients across Europe and North Africa.

Teesside University to build £20m flagship facility in Middlesbrough


Teesside University has applied for planning permission for a new £20m flagship teaching and conference facility at its Middlesbrough campus, a news report reveals.

The proposed new building would provide teaching space and offices, while the additional space would also allow it to reconfigure its office accommodation on campus to further develop its library, which last year underwent a £2m refurbishment.

Siemens to create 300 new jobs after winning Thameslink contract


The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently revealed the fact that it strongly supports the government decision in 2011 to choose a group of investors fronted by Siemens to make 1,140 carriages for the Thameslink line running from Brighton to Bedford.

The contract, worth an impressive £1.6bn, will lead to the creation of 300 new jobs in Siemens’ Hebburn factory in South Tyneside, a news report reveals.