I own an engineering company in Teesside. So I will wade in with my two pennies if I may?
I employ around 20 people and we manufacture goods for the offshore renewable sector, oil and gas sector, subsea sector, pharmaceutical sector and food and beverage production. We turnover a 7 figure sum year on year, of which raw material equate to around 30% of that figure. meaning the rest is pure manufacturing turnover. Goods from scratch, if you will.
I think the region has its challenges, but then so does the rest of world. There is a lot of positivity and vibrancy surrounding the area if you cut through the negative noise.
We certainly have our challenges. My energy bills have gone up 299% this year and next year is forecast to be 100% above what I was paying last year. I could mope or blame the government but none of it will do any good, so we just have to cut our cloth to suit.
Take a drive through skippers lane, Riverside park, Thornaby industrial estate. There is a lot of good in the area. We just need to stick together so we can all come out the other side smiling!
Just proud to live, work, employ and fly the 'made in Teesside' flag.
UTB