Business leaders looking to the future with new optimism

STEEL-MAKING

WIN VIRIYAPRAPAIKIT, group chief executive and president, commented on the challenges which lie ahead for SSI UK.

He said: “While I expect the global steel market to remain difficult during 2014, I am confident that the Teesside operation and our people will rise to the challenge. We will become more competitive as we reduce waste, become more efficient in our operation, gain the full benefits of the PCI Plant and grow the output volume to 10,000 tonnes of steel per day.

“These are our immediate targets, upon which our Teesside operation will move into profit. We achieved about $1.5bn worth of export revenue last year and expect to continue to enhance the Teesside reputation for supplying quality steel products to our own finishing operations in Thailand and to our other customers worldwide.

“We have a very good steelmaking facility at Teesside with a highly-skilled workforce, from which we can continue to improve and innovate for our customers. I am also looking forward to the time when we can make further investments to make ourselves even more competitive.

'No room to become complacent’

ENGINEERING

ALAN ROBERTS, managing director of C and A Pumps and Engineering, said: “The last year was a successful one for us. We established ourselves in a number of new markets, particularly the chemicals sector, which was very encouraging. “I am always excited when I look to the year ahead but, as a relatively young business, I’m aware of the challenges, particularlyaround maintaining the momentum we built up last year and continuing to build our reputation and expertise.

“We are still living in uncertain times, but there are signs of encouragement.

“A great indicator for me is when the housebuilders are opening new sites throughout the North-East that people are more secure in their employment.

“That has a knock-on impact for an engineering business such as ourselves.

‘GOOD SIGNS’: Alan Roberts, of engineering firm C and A Pumps

“But I think there is still a long way to go and there is no room for any business to become complacent.

“We go in to the new year determined to grow, to explore new markets and to excel at what we do.”

“Hopefully, continued positive sentiment will translate into job creation, particularly in the private sector that has created three jobs for every one lost in the public sector.

“The cost of doing business will continue to be a major challenge for small businesses.

“Politicians must not lose sight of the fact that it is inextricably linked with their preoccupation with the cost of living and that costs should not be pushed onto businesses in their efforts to drive down household bills.”

‘Continuing to build on success’

CONSTRUCTION

DAN ROBINSON, chairman of construction company Gus Robinson Developments, said: “2014 will be an exciting year for us.

“We will continue to build upon the success we enjoyed last year and undertake a number of new build opportunities.

‘EXCITING YEAR’: Dan Robinson, of Gus Robinson Developments

“I think the economic output is already improving and we are starting to see signs already.

“Despite austerity, I see the fundamentals of the economy continuing to improve this year.”

‘We all need to help each other to grow’

TRANSPORT

DAVE LAWS, chief executive of Newcastle International Airport, said: “Last year was a great year for the airport. We launched new services to Copenhagen, Pula, Jersey, Tenerife and Dublin.

“We celebrated reaching the millionth passenger milestone with Emirates, whose Boeing 777 daily Dubai service continues to go from strength to strength, launched new routes with new airline partners Scandinavian Airlines and Aer Lingus Regional, outlined our Masterplan 2030 document showing our aspirations over the next two decades.

“Our hard work will continue into 2014, when we launch our new routes to Cork, Brussels, Gatwick, Madeira and Fuerteventura, which I am sure will be popular with passengers.

“We will continue to invest in the terminal to offer our customers the very best experience when they travel with us.

SOARING HOPES: Dave Laws, chief executive of Newcastle International Airport

“We will announce a number of developments in the terminal in the New Year, including a new executive lounge.”

DAVID NICHOLSON, managing director of Nicholson’s Transport, said: “The past year has certainly been more successful for our business, winning new contracts and developing innovative new services.

Long may that continue, but we are well aware that there is still a long way to go in terms of driving success and sustainability in this region.

“Working in partnership with other North-East businesses is key to that.

“We all need to help each other grow.

“I also hope that more companies recognise what great service is all about – it is not about being cheap, it is about relationship, value and how we can add that value to help each other.

“It is a big hope, but will the Government realise that excessive taxes on fuel is a road to nowhere? We need a reduction in fuel tax, not a stay of execution to stimulate the industry and help create employment.”

‘Ensuring people are paid a fair wage’

TRADE UNIONS

BETH FARHAT, Northern TUC Regional Secretary, said: “We are aiming to progress our work on campaigns around zero hours contracts; the living wage; cuts to North-East councils and tackling loan sharks.

“Ensuring that people in our region are paid a fair wage and are able to access finance at an affordable rate is so important.

CAMPAIGNS GO ON: Northern TUC regional secretary Beth Farhat

“There are many employers who can afford to pay a living wage but choose not to and are content to be subsidised by benefits from the welfare state that employees have to claim.

“That is not right and we will be doing al that we can to draw attention to poverty-paying employers.”

‘Vital we carry on momentum’

REGIONAL ECONOMY

JAMES RAMSBOTHAM, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), said: “It is vital that we carry the momentum gained in 2013 into the new year and continue to build on the progress we have made as a springboard for genuine economic growth.

‘CLOSING GAP’: James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce

“To do this and add fuel to our fire, our economy requires local, regional and national organisations to pull together to recognise the potential within North-East businesses.

“Creating conditions so they thrive must be the top priority and NECC will campaign to ensure it remains at the forefront of national decision makers’ minds.

“The North-East is going places. The fact that GVA (gross value added) has grown well above the national average at a time of severe public sector cuts is a demonstration of what we are capable of and that we mean business.

“We are closing the gap on the rest of the UK and we are doing it with our businesses leading the charge.”

‘We hope fund will have impact’

DEVELOPMENT

STEPHEN CATCHPOLE, managing director of Tees Valley Unlimited, said: “We expect in the early part of this year to announce the names of the first businesses that will benefit from the £10m Tees Valley Catalyst Fund.

“It is the first of its kind anywhere in the UK.”

The fund will provide security for performance bonds – a financial guarantee that reassures contractors that a supplier will deliver on time and to standard.

Mr Catchpole added: “We hope that the £10m of funding will be recycled six or seven times over its lifetime and really have an impact for small companies in the area to help them win more work.

‘LOUDER VOICE’: Stephen Catchpole, managing director of Tees Valley Unlimited

“There has been a mixed reaction to enterprise zones up and down the country, but ours has been one of the best in terms of the companies that are moving in and creating jobs – the highlight being Air Products’ £300m waste-toenergy site. We are hoping early this year we will hear that they have decided to put an identical second facility next door. That would be another major investment.

“We want to see the enterprise zone become even more successful in the new year.

“The National Biologics Centre coming to Central Park, in Darlington, is another boost.

“The recent agreement of our City Deal should give us a louder voice at national level.

And we will be hoping for more success in the next two rounds of the Regional Growth Fund, as well as looking toward the European monies coming on stream this year.

“If we can align all of these things, then I think there is real cause for optimism.”