Business leaders have praised a local publication which recently celebrated 10 years of promoting local firms.
Aycliffe Business marked its 10th anniversary at the end of 2022, with a special business breakfast event attended by 80 guests at Redworth Hall in December.
The event included a Q&A panel with 3M Aycliffe plant manager Paul Hind, Gestamp plant director Jonathan Phillips, Merchant Anglo director Geoff Hunton and Pamela Petty, the former managing director of Ebac, now a business consultant.
Gestamp boss Jonathan said: “Aycliffe Business harnesses the community spirit of the business park, and I think that’s really important.
“We talk about the difficulties of the future and for me I think there’s a resilience. You look at the diversity of the employers and the different industries that we support.”
3M’s Aycliffe plant manager Paul added: “I’ve known Martin (Walker) for a long time, we’re the same age and to see him do what he’s done is absolutely incredible.
“3M in general don’t typically go out and put themselves around to this kind of stuff. I took it upon myself to come over and find out what this is all about.
“It’s a huge shock to see how many people are here and just to connect with people. We’ve had a few people in the plant since we’ve met and we’re going to have a few more in.”
Pamela Petty praised Aycliffe Business’s editorial content – citing the people featured within the publication which is a highlight for her.
“We get to see the people behind the businesses,” Pamela told delegates at Redworth Hall.
“It just makes it nicer to be able to put faces to names and see different personalities. Yes, it’s about selling your business and the products and the services, but I think it’s a little bit more than that.
“Even for us to think, “where do we want to work?” What seems like the right fit for me for a business to actually do business with or somewhere to go and work?
“I think Martin does that really well, he brings through the people in the magazine. It isn’t just flogging your wares.”
Geoff Hunton, largely credited with bringing Hitachi to Aycliffe around the same time as Aycliffe Business launched in 2012, added: “Martin supported us right the way through, with his ideas and thoughts, as we’ve advertised for things.
“It’s about community, it’s about people. Because at times we have needed Aycliffe’s support.
“I don’t know if you remember when they changed governments from Labour to Conservatives, we were stuck in the middle for about a year before they decided they were going ahead with Hitachi. In that time, through Peter (Barron) and Kerina (Clark) and all the other people in Newton Aycliffe, we got absolutely tremendous support – and through the magazine as well.
“So, is it of use? Certainly to me, it is. Thanks very much, Martin, excellent job!”
Aycliffe Business are now working on issue #61 – the first edition of 2023 – which is due out in February. The booking deadline is January 27.
To book space, call Martin Walker on 01325 728024, or email [email protected].
Or download the 2023 Aycliffe Business media pack by clicking here.
