North Tyneside firm Smulders is set to create hundreds of new jobs as part of a consortium that will supply pieces for a major offshore wind farm.
The Moray West wind farm marks the second phase of a landmark renewables project in the outer Moray Firth, with planning permission granted for 85 turbines and the potential for more as the exact number of turbines has yet to be determined.
A consortium involving Siemens Energy and Iemants - a subsidiary of Wallsend firm Smulders - has been selected to supply the project’s two offshore substation platforms, helping Smulders to create 250 jobs in the next 12 to 18 months.
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Tom Coosemans, general manager of Smulders Projects 海角视频, said: “Local or 海角视频-content sits high on the agenda and together with our strategic partners, we strive to increase local content going forward in this very competitive international market.
“The Moray West project allows us to kickstart further projects at the Smulders’ yard in the North East, building the path for supplementary green jobs and securing additional local content projects in the near future.”
Northumberland holiday company Northumbria Coast and Country Cottages has been snapped up by growing rental group Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The Cheshire company, which announced ambitious expansion plans earlier this month, has added more than 500 properties to its portfolio, following the acquisition.
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Alnmouth-based Northumbria Coast & Country Cottages, launched 30 years ago, will run as a sister accommodation booking agency to Sykes.
The business was set up by Nikki Brierley in 1981 with a single member of staff, and has grown to employ 17 staff across the region, managing 500 cottages across Northumberland and the Scottish borders. It will continue to operate as normal through its North East team, from its offices in Alnmouth and Seahouses.
Ms Brierley said: “We’ve built a great business over the last four decades, but this deal now represents a new chapter for the company and will ensure its ongoing success for the next 40 years."
ClearCourse Partnership announced a deal to acquire Newcastle based Secure Collections, a Bacs-approved direct debit bureau in Newcastle, which will join its payment division.
The Newcastle firm, which was co-founded by Alan Richardson and Bernie Brown in 2003, provides commercial direct debit bureau and contingency services, handling direct debit payments on behalf of organisations such as St Oswald’s Hospice and the Newcastle College Group.
Mr Richardson will stay on for three months before retiring but Mr Brown will continue in his role as technical director.
Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, commented: “The functionality provided by Secure Collections will complete ClearDebit’s offering. Secure Collections aligns well with the businesses within ClearCourse, and we are thrilled to welcome the team to the ClearCourse family.
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“Alan and Bernie have built a commendable business, and we wish Alan a happy and restful retirement, when it comes.”
Family-owned Tyne Tees Vehicle Repair Group has been acquired by the 海角视频’s fastest growing specialist repair group in a ‘significant’ private-equity backed deal.
Tyne Tees Vehicle Repair Group, which was founded in 1970, employs 64 people at five sites in the region and had turnover of £8.3m in its most recent accounts.
The Washington firm has been acquired by the Steer Automotive Group, a Buckinghamshire-based business whose investment in technology, geographical reach and people is backed by growth specialists, Chiltern Capital.
Tyne Tees owner and managing director Darren Norton has joined Steer Automotive as part of the deal, and will play a key role in the group’s strategy to broaden its footprint in the North East and further afield.
He said: “This is an exciting moment for our business, as we join an ambitious and progressive group in which all of our existing employees, suppliers and customers can thrive. I am looking forward to continuing to lead and grow TTVRG’s outstanding workforce backed by the expertise and resources of our new colleagues within Steer Automotive.”
Pharmaceutical firm Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies confirmed plans for a £400m investment at its North East facility, creating up to 350 new jobs.
The firm –which is producing doses of the Novavax coronavirus vaccine – first trailed the investment at its Billingham site in the summer as part of a global programme worth 90 billion yen (around £600m).
Now it has confirmed that the investment will double the size of its site in Billingham, making it the largest multi-modal biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in the 海角视频.
The new facilities are expected to be operational by late 2023.