BOSSES at Durham Tees Valley Airport will highlight the potential supply chain opportunities at the site on Thursday.

More than 100 representatives from engineering firms across the North-East, will attend the Tees Engineering Network (TEN) breakfast, in the hope that they can be persuaded to take advantage of the airport.

The airport was brought back into public ownership by the Tees Valley Combined Authority in March, with the Stobart Group named as joint-venture partners.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "I have made it my priority to ensure that local businesses come first for new airport contracts. Already we have selected four local firms to carry out work, but I want to see that number increase.

“As we continue our 10 Year Rescue Plan to turn the airport around, we’re more eager than ever to engage with even more local companies to see how we can work together to deliver our plan.

“The Tees Engineering Network breakfasts are always packed out with exciting and dynamic local firms looking for the latest opportunities in the Tees Valley, and I can’t wait to see what the TEN event and Business Summit bring.”

Thornaby-based px Group, which provides engineering services and energy management solutions, will also attend with the firm's group business development director.

Patrick Pogue of px Group said: "We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to speak at this TEN breakfast event at the Tees Valley Business Summit and to share the transformation that has taken place in our business over the last few years.

“Headquartered in the Tees Valley and with a team of more than 500 specialists operating from ten sites across the UK, px provides a range of engineering consultancy and energy trading services and has over 25 years’ experience of managing, operating and maintaining some of the UK’s largest industrial facilities.”

Jamie Brown of Francis Brown Ltd, and founding member of TEN said: "Moving the TEN breakfast to the morning of the Business Summit will undoubtedly boost the numbers at both of these brilliant events.

“We’re incredibly proud of our breakfasts, bringing together the region’s engineering supply chain, which is second-to-none. I’d urge everyone to register and come along to see what the airport and px have to offer."

It's anticipated that the Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston, will join the airport's head of development Phil Forster at the event.

For more information visit

tees-engineering-network.co.uk