Teesside newcomer Prosafe Engineering has set its sights on increasing turnover to £1.6 million next year after Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald officially opened the firm’s impressive new premises on Riverside Park Industrial Estate.
Providing safety solutions for the global process industry, directors Greg Hynes and Mike Styan have already rocket-launched their initial £2,000 investment into a forecasted turnover of £1.3m this year – and won a brace of North East Business Awards in the Best Newcomer category.
It’s been a rapid rise for the 30-something pair, who started out in a two-man office in Plenary BV House – the former home of Middlesbrough’s pioneering ironmasters Henry Bolckow and Joseph Vaughan.
Prosafe’s new Bowes Road offices include a workshop, boardroom and training room, and full disabled access facilities.
The firm currently has 11 staff, with plans to create four more jobs by mid-2019 and man a satellite office in Aberdeen full-time from next year onward.
A chance meeting between the two ambitious Teesside engineers in an Aberdeen bar laid the foundation for the start-up company.
Greg and Mike worked on and offshore in the Granite City but had never met until a mutual friend introduced them on a night out in 2015.
Having hit it off immediately, the duo quit their jobs and set up Prosafe, armed with a deep contacts book and sensing an opportunity to help improve standards within their specialist sector.
Now, with room for expansion, they are targeting a £1.6m turnover in 2019.
“It’s been an exciting journey so far,” said Hynes. “When we first started out, we didn’t get paid for about four months. But when 2017 arrived, from the first week in January until this moment in time it has just been relentless.
“All of our hard work started to come to fruition, and it ended up where a decision had to be made where we had to move into larger premises.
“What we’ve moved into is five years away but everything is under one roof now and will help us grow.”
Prosafe are the UK’s exclusive distributor for world-leading process safety product manufacturer Solis, and are one of the top-performing agents as they export worldwide.
Solis manufacture mechanical interlocks which enforce safe valve operation in industries such as oil and gas, while Prosafe are experts in their field at designing interlocking systems.
“The products and services we supply enhance safety because a lot of the time they either reduce the risk of human error or take the danger away,” Styan explained.
“Having Solis on board is massive for us, and we have got one product we are hoping to develop ourselves in future as well.”
While Hynes and Styan are proud of their giant strides, they take great satisfaction in being able to play a part in maintaining Teesside’s rich industrial heritage which Bolckow and Vaughan started.
“We have both worked away from the area throughout our careers,” said Styan. “But the driving force was that we wanted to be at home and set something up here, and that’s what we’ve done.
“It’s a good area to be based in because we can compete against other areas where overheads might be more expensive, and we have got the transport infrastructure here and industry on our doorstep as well.
“We want to be involved with new projects – potentially with the old SSI site – and be ambassadors for the region and a company that creates employment, does things the right way and provides a good quality service.
“If we stay true to our core values and do a good job every single time, hopefully the future will look after itself.”
Prosafe’s new offices even feature a shower and bike storage space with fitness enthusiast Hynes encouraging staff to cycle or jog to work, which is apt considering his cousin Matty Hynes is an international long-distance runner.
After making a sprint start to life in business, you wouldn’t rule out Prosafe from sustaining their success over the long haul either.
The latest in a series of events aimed at boosting Middlesbrough’s business community has taken place at a key city centre venue.
And local entrepreneurs are already lining up to attend the next quarterly Breakfast Exchange to share ideas and make the most of networking opportunities.
Middlesbrough Council’s Invest in Middlesbrough 2018 business breakfasts kicked off on Thursday, June 7 in the spectacular surroundings of the newly refurbished Middlesbrough Town Hall.
The Breakfast Exchange offers local businesses, companies and individuals an opportunity to hear first-hand about the Council’s current and future regeneration plans, and to meet up with counterparts from a wide range of sectors and industries.
This month’s event saw more than 80 attendees welcomed to the event’s new home in the renovated Middlesbrough Town Hall to hear the latest news on Middlesbrough’s ground breaking new development the Teesside Advanced Manufacturing Park (TeesAMP).
Middlesbrough Council’s Head of Economic Growth Sam Gilmore, along with TeesAMP developer Geoff Hogg, agents Dodds Brown and Logic Architecture provided an overview of the public/private partnership and the progress of the initiative.
Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “Middlesbrough’s future success and growth relies in no small part on a vibrant, thriving city centre economy.
“We’ve made great strides in the last few years to establish Middlesbrough as the city heart of the Tees Valley, and our business community has been key in driving that forward.
“The Breakfast Exchanges are rightly popular as an informal forum in which find out what’s happening across Middlesbrough, share ideas and forge new partnerships.”
For more information on future Breakfast Exchanges and other Invest in Middlesbrough events, sign up for the Invest in Middlesbrough newsletter
Award-winning Middlesbrough fire safety and security company TFS Limited is preparing to recruit new staff including more apprentices after landing a seven-figure contract.
The company has just successfully secured the contract to install a hybrid fire alarm system throughout the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton. TFS specialises in the design, installation, commission and maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting, safety systems, CCTV, security and door access.
Managing director Kevin Hynes said: “We are delighted to win the contract for North Tees Hospital. This will allow us to further expand our workforce and ultimately provide jobs and apprenticeships for local people.
“I’m passionate about providing opportunities for young people from our area, which is why here at TFS we take on new apprentices every year.
“I’m very proud to be from Teesside. The area sometimes attracts negative headlines, but I see so many opportunities for development and bringing more jobs here.”
Kevin Hynes paid tribute to the strong team behind him, saying: “I’d like to give special thanks to all the staff at TFS. Everything we do is a team effort.
“When our tender for the North Tees Hospital contract was successful we were praised for our technical knowledge, which is a testament to the hard work of our technical sales director Tony Cooney and his bid team.“
David Hynes, operations manager, is proud to be part of the ever-expanding business, which is based at Drake Court, Riverside Park.
“The company’s impressive progress was rewarded when we won the Outstanding Growth award at the Hochiki Europe Awards at the O2 Arena in June 2016,” he said.
“Over the last three years we have grown by over a third and have plans to expand further. I recognise that we are only able to continually progress due to having such a strong team.
“Our expansion has created career development opportunities for many of our staff, such as Daniel Lowe, who has been a committed member of staff at TFS for many years and has progressed from starting out as a junior engineer to being appointed installation supervisor.”
Another example is Simone Simms, who was recently promoted from office administrator to office manager.
Simone said: “TFS is a challenging yet very rewarding environment to work in. I feel fortunate enough to have been well supported and given opportunities to further progress my career.”
Assistant director of estates and capital – North Tees and Hartlepool Solutions LLP Steven Taylor said: “We were very impressed by the technical knowledge and significant experience demonstrated by TFS of working within a busy hospital environment.
“TFS’s approach and insight for working within a busy hospital environment is refreshing and provides the Trust with confidence that the project will be well managed and progressed in a collaborative manner to overcome the challenges ahead.”
TFS has an impressive record of offering full-time employment to all apprentices who have completed their training in both engineering disciplines and office administration.
The North Tees system will incorporate state of the art technology including highly sophisticated intelligent monitoring, pre-alerts and the latest wireless functionality.
An innovative partnership between Teesside University and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is helping to build the next generation of leaders through a new entrepreneurial programme.
The MBA Degree Apprenticeship is a flagship programme for Teesside University Business School that places entrepreneurial leadership at its heart. Aimed at current and aspiring leaders with experience in management, it allows students to combine work with studying for an internationally recognised business qualification.
The course provides a platform for professional senior managers to challenge themselves and drive innovative entrepreneurial leadership thinking and practice back into their respective organisations at a strategic level.
Teesside University has worked closely with the CMI to develop the curriculum and dual-accredit the programme to deliver the skills and knowledge employers are looking for. Helen Watts, Relationship Manager at the CMI, visited the University’s Middlesbrough campus to introduce the chartered body to the first cohort of students on the MBA Degree Apprenticeship course. Helen is pleased to be working alongside the University during an exciting period of development with a new home for the Business School due for completion in September 2018.
Helen said: “We are delighted to be working with the University. There is a great deal of investment going into Teesside University Business School and it is a very exciting time both for the University and for the CMI.
“We have worked closely with colleagues in the Business School to develop the curriculum and ensure that the MBA programme maps across to the CMI programme. The dual accreditation means that students will graduate not only with a great MBA from Teesside University, but also receive a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management and the potential to be awarded Chartered Manager, the highest status available in the management and leadership profession.”
Noel Dennis, Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader for the MBA, added: “Teesside University Business School is committed to building the entrepreneurial capability of managers and leaders both within our region and beyond. In working closely with the CMI, we have developed a programme that meets the needs of employers and allows its students to take the knowledge they acquire straight back into the workplace.”
Students on the MBA Degree Apprenticeship at Teesside benefit from access to the CMI resources, such as the online resource portal and the CMI membership from the moment they commence the programme. The CMI will also deliver networking events and speakers for students on the dual-accredited course.
The first cohort of students began their studies in June and the group includes management professionals from a range of organisations including the NHS, Cummins, Everyone Active and Oceaneering International Services.
Martin Miles, Area Manager for Everyone Active, manages 25 leisure centres across North East England on behalf of local authorities. He decided to study locally to meet other like-minded business leaders within the region and the campus environment really attracted him.
“I was keen to study within a campus environment rather than by distance learning so that I could become involved in university life,” Martin explained.
“I’m looking for a more strategic vision to help me manage the business and move it forward. I like that I have the flexibility to study online or at home while working full-time. This course will allow me to take away knowledge from the classroom and immediately apply it back into the business.”
Samuel Lind, International Operations Manager at Utilitywise PLC, is looking forward to the hands-on aspects of the course.
“The most attractive thing about the MBA programme here at Teesside University is that the course is very practical – it’s all about what you are doing in your current role and what you can take back to your role to make a real practical difference,” said Samuel.
Teesside University offers a number of new higher degree apprenticeships in digital technology, management and health and works closely with employers to provide educational and training solutions. The next cohort of the MBA at Teesside will start in September and enquiries for the course can be directed to MBA@tees.ac.uk.
Tees Valley Combined Authority has awarded half a million pounds to help TWI expand its research and testing operations in Tees Valley.
The Middlesbrough-based centre is one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations, with expertise in materials-joining and engineering processes.
The funding will help the business alter its existing engineering facility at Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park (TeesAmp), expand its existing operations and develop a Non Destructive Testing (NDT) research centre, where materials can be tested for their structural safety.
A new research activity will focus on future NDT technologies and act as a growth hub for the research group outside of their Cambridge base. The centre will be established using a number of collaborative projects, ensuring it can staff up rapidly and work from the outset with companies from across the world.
Cash will support additional staff, equipment and lab space and establish test facilities to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on materials performance.
New technology will be spun out of the new centre, either into new start-ups or into existing local companies.
The centre will bring collaborative projects worth more than £3million to the Tees Valley.
Visiting the facility, Mayor Ben Houchen said: “TWI is a world-class research centre and it’s fantastic that they’re expanding their activities in the Tees Valley.
“The region’s engineering reputation is second to none, and this development will provide an opportunity to enhance economic growth and drive forward skilled employment opportunities in the area.
“TeesAMP will deliver long-lasting benefits in terms of jobs, skills, prosperity and further investment. TWI’s proposals form a key part of the overall project.”
Chris Beck, TWI’s Strategic Funding Manager, said: “This funding represents a vital step forward in TWI’s expansion plans and helps us reaffirm our commitment to the region and TeesAmp.
“We have our eyes on significant growth in the coming years but, in the short term, adapting our current facility will allow us to take on further staff and contribute even more to the Tees Valley economy.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “This is another good-news development for TeesAmp, hugely benefitting Middlesbrough and the wider Tees Valley and sowing the seeds of future success.
“I’m delighted TWI will be a continued and ever-growing presence in our area and look forward to hearing about its next steps.”
Jim French, PD Ports’ Director Portcentric Logistics and former RHA (Road Haulage Association) Chairman, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to young people in the transport industry.
Jim started his career as a traffic office trainee before moving into management with BRS (British Road Services), then to Exel Logistics and subsequently NYK Logistics in 1998. Five years later Jim joined Teesside-based PD Ports where he has worked as a director of logistics for more than 13 years.
Now semi-retired, for the last four years Jim has dedicated his time at PD Ports in consistently advancing the cause of young people in the logistics industry, culminating in the launch and continued successful operation of the Tees Valley Logistics Academy run with our colleagues at Stockton Riverside College and supported by national charity Career Ready and Think Logistics.
Jim was awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ status by Career Ready in 2016 for his contribution to the successful formation of the Tees Valley Logistics Academy with his work being described as ‘inspirational’.
Frans Calje, PD Ports’ CEO, “The need to encourage young people into this industry sector, which has some major skills shortage issues, is one that has long been a cause to which Jim has committed himself. With local schools and employers he has created opportunities for young people to better understand the industry and the prospects it can hold for a young person’s future career path. Recognition of his contribution is very well deserved and we are incredibly proud to have Jim as part of our team here at PD Ports.”
Phil Cook, Stockton Riverside College Principal and Chief Executive, added: “Jim’s unfailing dedication to the logistics sector, which he has championed with commitment and resourcefulness is exemplary. Through his outstanding leadership and determination, Jim has earned the respect of local employers which have come together with the College to engage with young people and inspire them to explore the logistics sector as a viable and valuable career choice.”
Alongside his commitment to enthusing young people about a career in logistics, Jim played a key role in the formation of the RHA’s Road to Logistics – a charitable organisation launched to offer a route into logistics for diverse groups including veterans, reformed offenders, women, the disabled and young people leaving care.
RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett said: “We’re absolutely delighted for Jim and this MBE is very well deserved given his commitment and energy in trying to attract the next generation into the road haulage industry. Jim has helped to overcome some of the negative perceptions young people have about the sector and this has had a significant impact among a younger generation who may now consider opportunities in an industry that’s suffering from a chronic staff shortage.”
Jim stepped down from his role as RHA Chairman in 2018 but remains an active member of the Board of Directors.
Teesside independent commercial property consultancy Dodds Brown has brought 15,000 sq ft of prime grade A office space on to the market in one of the best office locations in Middlesbrough.
The top quality accommodation, available in sizes of between 5,000 sq ft and 15,000 sq ft, is the only grade A office space presently vacant in Middlesbrough until the new Centre Square development becomes available in 2019.
Hudson Quay One, Manhattan Gate, Middlehaven, Middlesbrough boasts floor to ceiling glass, which make the most of its water frontage views. It has air conditioning, suspended ceilings, raised floors, on-site car parking and excellent communications within walking distance of the town centre. The building already is home to the Teesside Gazette and the regional base for the Crown Prosecution Service, while social housing organisation Thirteen Group has its headquarters in the adjacent building.
“This is the best office building in one of the best office locations on Teesside and the only grade A office space presently available in Middlesbrough. It would make a fine headquarters office for a local, regional, national, or even international organisation, accommodating up to 150 staff,” says Stephen Brown, Dodds Brown senior partner, who has worked in commercial property on Teesside for more than 30 years.
“With The Gazette, the CPS and Thirteen on site, any new tenant would be in good company. There is good car parking provision and the town centre is only a short walk away.”
Further information is available from Dodds Brown.
A showcase event to help job seekers find their next career move has been hailed a success.
The 2018 Middlesbrough Jobs Fair drew more than 1,000 people to Middlesbrough Town Hall to meet a range of prospective employers.
Around 70 employers and training providers gathered for the event in the spectacular surroundings of the newly-restored and refurbished Victorian venue.
Almost 700 positions were up for grabs for job-seekers who attended the fair, which was hosted by Middlesbrough Council in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, the National Careers Service, Middlesbrough College and Middlesbrough Community Learning.
Firms showcasing their career opportunities included Sirius Minerals, Bowmer and Kirkland, Middlesbrough FC, Katmex, Cleveland Cable, First Source Solutions, Mabo Media, Appamondo and Arriva.
A ‘Digital Showcase’ also put the spotlight on some of the Tees region’s up-and-coming digital businesses specialising in gaming, VR and digital technology.
The event also featured a series of innovative offers to help job hunters thanks to a partnership between Northern and Middlesbrough Council.
The initiatives – aimed at helping local people into work as well as boosting Middlesbrough’s economy – include:
- A 50% discount for job seekers, with a Jobcentre Plus Railcard – helping them get to interviews, meet potential employers and find work.
- A Corporate Season Ticket Scheme aimed at local businesses, giving staff access to low-cost travel, including twelve weeks free per year. Supported through the business, by an interest free loan paid back through monthly repayments from staff salary.
Northern Commercial Manager North East Anna Weeks said: “As the main regional rail provider, we are committed to supporting the growth of the North East economy through better public transport.
“Our support to job seekers is a key part of our wider scheme to transform travel in the North East, with extended services already launched in Tees Valley and much better integration between rail and bus.
Middlesbrough Council Investment and Growth manager Debbie Ingoldsby said: “We had an amazing turn-out, with well over a thousand jobseekers coming through the door, and more than 70 exhibitors covering a wide range of different jobs and sectors from engineering and construction to digital, marketing, health care and transport.
“Our aim is to make sure companies are investing in Middlesbrough and we support business growth to continue to further develop our status as a major economic centre.
“There is a huge amount of regeneration taking place in the area and we have to make sure local people are being connected with the job opportunities, as well as ensuring that they have the right skills in place. We work closely with education and training providers such as Middlesbrough College and Teesside University, to make sure the right skills are being developed and that Middlesbrough residents get the opportunity to link into the jobs that are available now and coming up in the future.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “The success of this week’s Jobs Fair is a tribute to the effort and commitment of everyone who worked so hard to make it happen.
“Bringing employers together with the right people is essential if we are to continue the investment and growth that are already helping to transform, and this event acted as a showcase for the great companies and enterprises we have on our doorstep.
“I have no doubt it will have been the start of new and life-changing success stories for many of those who attended.”
A major Middlesbrough logistics company has signed a pledge to support ex-members of the armed forces to find work in their sector.
AV Dawson, which employs 240 people in Tees Valley has signed an Armed Forces Bronze Covenant to ensure there is complete fairness and respect in the communities where the personnel live, as well as local job opportunities. It has also pledged to encourage more logistics businesses to see the potential of former military personnel with their in-depth practical training.
The support comes in various forms including working with the Career Transition Partnership in order to establish tailored employment pathways for service leavers. AV Dawson also supports the employment of service spouses and partners and grants leave for service spouses and partners before, during and after partner’s deployment.
Gary Dawson, Managing Director AV Dawson said: “We have armed forces veterans employed in most areas of our business. The skills they build up during their service are invaluable and easily transitioned into businesses like ours. We wanted a way to show our on-going commitment to our service veterans and the Armed Forces Covenant was the natural next step.
“Catterick Garrison, the world’s largest Army Garrison, is based here in the North East and with many returning to their original home towns seeking employment and career opportunities, we want to support veterans in their next step. It is important that we are able to promote the exciting prospects available to veterans in the area but also encourage other local businesses to do the same. It also allows us to showcase our employment opportunities to people leaving the armed forces, veterans and their families.”
The company is a member of North East England Chamber of Commerce which has also signed an Armed Forces Covenant.
James Ramsbotham, Chamber chief executive said: “As a former member of the armed forces I understand fully the tremendous skills these people have to bring to companies. They are among the most disciplined and determined employees I have ever had the pleasure to work with. AV Dawson signing this covenant will be a huge benefit to ex-service personnel and the business itself. I wholeheartedly encourage other logistics businesses to follow their inspirational lead.”
In addition to identifying job opportunities the business will also support employees who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces accommodating their training and deployment where possible.
One of the UK’s leading product manufacturer and global supplier of fire, blast and heat hazard solutions – Mech-Tool Engineering Ltd (MTE) – has successfully secured its second contract worth to fabricate 20 internal support structures to what will be the world’s largest wind farm to date.
The contract – to fabricate and supply the structures for the Hornsea One offshore wind farm – has been awarded by Billingham based OSB EEW and will see MTE manufacture the suspended internal support structures (SIPS) for OSB’s transition project. The contract is the second win this year for MTE on the prestigious wind farm development and follows the company’s announcement in February that it would be providing general fabrication of transportation cables.
Expected to be the largest wind farm in the world, Hornsea One is located 120km off the Yorkshire coast and, once complete, is expected to power two million homes with green electricity. The project – which is expected to complete in 2021 – will see 174 wind turbines installed and will feature the longest powerline cable route at 900km.
Speaking about the contract win, Anthony Jones, MD at MTE said: “We are delighted to have secured this contract win with OSB. MTE is very pleased to begin this working relationship and we very much look forward to providing services to OSB for many years to come and for many projects in the future.
“We see this as the beginning of a strong and valued relationship with OSB, firmly believe this verifies our position as a leading service provider in the fabrication of offshore wind structures and cements our reputation as being able to perform to and meet the exacting standards required in the offshore wind sector. It is important to MTE and the industry that Teesside is a key strategic location for the future development of offshore wind in the UK sector and overseas and we are firmly committed to continuing to make sure that remains so.”
The contract for OSB is a fast track project for MTE and is scheduled for completion later in the year. It is expected that the business will allocate more than 20 staff to work on the contract which will see the SIPS fabricated to meet the harsh environmental needs of the North East Sea’s offshore wind sector.
The order adds to the company’s already well-established reputation and track record of delivery on many of the world’s largest wind farm projects. To date the company has already provided its industry leading fire, blast and heat protection systems to offshore wind projects including both the Dudgeon and Galloper schemes.
Established in 1969, MTE has offices all over the globe including Aberdeen, Houston and Korea. The company has four distinct business units; Design Consultancy, Fire and Blast, Modular Solutions and HVAC solutions – working from initial design and consultation right through to manufacture and assistance with on-site installation. It boasts an impressive client portfolio including the likes of working with the likes of BP, Conoco Philips, Centrica and Talisman.
