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Occupational health firm boosted after trading increase

6:00am Saturday 18th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST occupational health firm, which has only been in business a year, has seen a significant increase in trading after backing from major firms in the region.

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Mining deal saves hundreds of jobs

10:18am Friday 17th May 2013

A NORTH-East mining firm has rescued hundreds of coal jobs as part of plans to expand its operations across the UK. Hargreaves Services, which employs about 100 staff at its Esh Winning, County Durham, headquarters, has bought assets from collapsed surface mining firm Aardvark for £10.4m. All 237 workers employed at Aardvark's mines in Scotland are to be offered new contracts by Hargreaves, which recently announced plans to create up to 1,000 jobs nationally and open new mines. Last month it launched a successful shares issue to raise £40m to fund the expansion of its opencast operations. The County Durham firm wants to step up coal production by about three million tonnes a year. Later this month, it is expected to announce details of two locations in the North-East that have been earmarked for potential opencast development. Hargreaves has already started consultations with residents near a proposed opencast mine at Field House, near West Rainton, ahead of a planning application being submitted. If it is approved, Hargreaves plans to extract 500,000 tonnes of coal over three years, creating 42 jobs. The move to acquire assets in Scotland came as liquidators were appointed for Aardvark, the main trading arm of ATH Resources, which was put into administration in December. Earlier this year, Hargreaves bought £12.5m of debt from ATH's lender, Becap Capital, whose demand for repayment forced the company into administration. Gordon Banham, Hargreaves chief executive said the transaction brought to an end a long and complex restructuring process. He continued: "Whilst it has been a lengthy and difficult exercise, we are very pleased with the end result. "In comparison with an unstructured liquidation, we have saved or created over 230 jobs and been able to continue mining operations at two of the key sites. "The number of properties that have had to be disclaimed by the liquidators have been significantly reduced. "The continuance of operations at Netherton and Duncanziemere, together with the planned resumption of activity at Glenmuckloch, will greatly assist in achieving long-term restoration." Netherton and Duncanziemere are located in East Ayrshire, while Glenmuckloch is in Dumfries and Galloway. Hargreaves said it would provide site services to ensure that the mines continue in operation.

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Theme park electronic control designer 'disappointed' by results

6:00am Friday 17th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST firm, which designs electronic control systems for theme parks, has revealed its disappointment after revenues fell during the first quarter of the year.

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Subsea firm expands fleet

2:48pm Thursday 16th May 2013

A NORTH-EAST subsea company has turned to a local supplier to expand its fleet of underwater vehicles. 

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Barker and Stonehouse finds a taste of home in London

8:00pm Wednesday 15th May 2013

A FAMOUS family-owned furniture company is expanding down south, with a move into a former candle factory.

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Fears over Tata jobs ease

4:38pm Wednesday 15th May 2013

JOB fears at Tata steel were eased today after ‘positive’ meetings on the future of industry.

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North-East firm heads for the top

2:00pm Wednesday 15th May 2013

A FAMILY-RUN specialist repair and maintenance company is completing thousands of pounds worth of work at one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks.

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Barclays withdraws support for small investors leaving them at risk

4:43pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

BARCLAYS is withdrawing financial advice for customers with small investments which could affect thousands of people from the North-East.

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Agency bags national award

1:36pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

NORTH-EAST marketing communications agency Guerilla took the Global Brand Strategy of the Year award at the Drum Marketing Awards. 

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Does a hairdressing super-brand hold the secret to business success?

1:17pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

THE ONE is a snappily dressed Italian and avid Chelsea supporter who spent his early years in a small shop in Clapham, South London. The other is an historic University, housed within ancient halls, famed for its academic prowess and world leading research. The billion pound question is: what does the one have to teach the other?

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Training facilities help manufacturer secure £20,000 order

12:02pm Tuesday 14th May 2013

A NORTH EAST manufacturer has secured a £20,000 contract after using a training centre’s specialist facilities to complete the order. 

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Sage IT has bases in tax havens

5:02pm Monday 13th May 2013

SAGE IT has nearly a quarter of its subsidiary companies in tax havens new figures have revealed.

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Cash injections will create up to 700 new North-East jobs

5:43pm Monday 13th May 2013

CAR parts maker Gestamp Tallent, clothing firm  Barbour, and UK Steel Enterprise have received cash injections from the government’s flagship jobs scheme. 

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Export Week: North-East firms celebrate their success as export “graduates”

4:16pm Monday 13th May 2013

NORTH-EAST firms are celebrating their success as export “graduates” at the start of a special series of events to help more companies export to new markets.

New build at Nifco makes Stockton plant its European headquarters

4:41pm Friday 10th May 2013

A MULTI-MILLION pound factory has started construction in Eaglescliffe and will include a prestigious research and development department.

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Family firm backs raceday

10:35am Friday 10th May 2013

A NORTH East racecourse is preparing for its final race of the season before returning with its annual Ladies Evening in the summer.

Holidays in the sun from regional airport

10:21am Friday 10th May 2013

A HOLIDAY company has announced flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport for summer 2014. 

Co-op defends downgraded bank

9:51am Friday 10th May 2013

THE Co-op defended its banking business after a ratings agency said it may need external support to maintain regulatory capital levels.

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