The Managing Director of Ebac, one of the region’s leading manufacturing companies says there is a “real sense of growth” on Aycliffe Business Park following a number of exciting developments recently.
Pamela Petty’s firm Ebac, which is bringing washing machine manufacturing back to the UK, says there’s a positive mood around. She wants to see Aycliffe businesses shout about their success at this year’s ‘Make Your Mark’ event – a black-tie awards ceremony in November.
“We’re a middle-sized business and we’re big and ugly enough to look after ourselves, almost wherever we’re based. But I think it’s important that we nurture some of the smaller businesses and help them in whatever way we can, because potentially they’re the big employers of tomorrow and they need to be able to grow and take on more people.”
Mrs Petty vice-chair of the Aycliffe Business Park Community Steering Group is organising its second annual business awards event, at the Xcel Centre on Thursday 26th November.
Ebac has won a number of awards in recent years, and Mrs Petty is urging businesses to get involved by nominating themselves and others for the 11 awards up for grabs.
“What I like best about awards is that you can come back into the factory, and tell all the staff here that there’s recognition for all the hard work that we do,” she added.
“It’s nice for your customers, suppliers and bankers to see an independent voice saying how well you’re doing, rather than us telling them.
“It’s also nice to take a step back sometimes. We’re all faced with challenges every day. You focus a lot on your everyday business, so it’s good to just to take that step back once a year and give yourself a pat on the back.
“For us at Ebac, I’m really looking forward to next year, or the year after, when we will really be able to start shouting about our washing machines.
Subsea cable protection specialists Tekmar Energy pipped Ebac, Finley Structures and Merchant Place Developments to the top award at Make Your Mark last year.
And even though Ebac won the Manufacturer of the Year award in 2014, Mrs Petty added: “It was a very strong shortlist for the top award, and that’s because there are some brilliant companies on Aycliffe Business Park.
“The strength of the categories surprised us a little, with it being the first time we did the awards, so we’re looking forward to what this year’s event will throw up!”
The categories at this year’s Make Your Mark awards are Apprentice of the Year, Apprenticeships, Company of the Year, Employer of the Year, Engineering & Manufacturing, Export, Heart of the Community, Innovation, Best Newcomer, Service Business of the Year and Best Small Business.
Businesses can enter online at www.aycliffeawards.co.uk
Tickets for the evening itself, priced from £29.95, as well as sponsorship packages are also available from www.aycliffeawards.co.uk or by emailing hello@aycliffeawards.co.uk
