Interconnector Projects
Statnett and National Grid: Statnett and NationalGrid are working together to construct the North Sea Link – an electricity link between Norway and the UK and the world’s longest subsea interconnector.
Case studies of companies based in Northumberland - an outstanding business location. One of our biggest strengths lies in the success of the manufacturing sector. With many UK and international companies having chosen Northumberland as their base to grow and thrive, Northumberland has become home to some of the most technologically advanced manufacturing and engineering companies in the world.
EGGER (UK) Ltd
Egger (UK) Ltd is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of wood based panels, producing a comprehensive product portfolio for the furniture and interior design, wood-construction and flooring industries.
600 employees
“The combination of local timber and wood supplies, a loyal and dedicated workforce, a good road network and strong community support has shown over many years that Hexham in Northumberland is an ideal manufacturing location for our business. This has been key to us becoming the largest manufacturing company in Northumberland. We have investing over £200m in the site since 2006, making it one of the most technologically advanced chipboard plants in Europe.”
AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel has established the worlds most advanced and sustainable paint plant at Ashwood Business Park in Ashington. The hi-tech facility represents the largest ever global investment by the company’s Decorative Paints business. The site also houses AkzoNobel’s second Dulux Academy, a customised training centre providing painters and decorators with expert training and advice.
120 employees
“We saw huge opportunities at Ashwood Business Park and its surrounding areas, with the single biggest factor being the availability of skilled and enthusiastic people to work at the plant. Since becoming operational our Ashington site has employed 165 people directly, and the site has created more than 100 additional jobs within the local supply chain.”
Read the full AkzoNobel case study by clicking here.
Avid Technology
Avid Technology is a leader in the design and manufacture of electrified powertrain components and systems for heavy-duty and high-performance electric and hybrid vehicles. From its base in Cramlington, AVID manufactures a range of electrified powertrain components used in electric and hybrid vehicles.
100 employees.
“Northumberland is a fantastic place to work and live. Transport links to the rest of the UK and internationally are excellent. There is a well-skilled and flexible local workforce with the regions universities providing a good supply of talented graduates”.
Essity
The Essity tissue mill in Prudhoe is one of Northumberland’s largest manufacturing sites employing around 400 people. There has been a paper-making mill on the site since 1969.
Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company dedicated to improving well-being through a range of products. Leading brands made in Prudhoe include Cushelle, Velvet, Tork and Asda Shades.
400 employees
“Northumberland has been a great location in which to invest and grow. In Prudhoe, we have been able to recruit a skilled and dedicated workforce with a strong work ethic, while our close links with enthusiastic training providers and educational establishments mean there is a steady flow of talented youngsters keen to make a career in manufacturing. Our location gives us ready access to major arterial routes, we have space to continuing developing the business and the Tyne Valley offers an outstanding quality of life to employees and potential recruits relocating from elsewhere in the UK or overseas.”
Tharsus
Tharsus is a designer and manufacturer of Advanced Machines and Robots and one of the fastest growing technology companies in the UK.
“Tharsus is thriving in Northumberland in no small part due to the availability of a great workforce with the skills and aptitude we need to operate in our fast moving world. We continue to invest heavily and look forward to creating a business with global reach, all based in Blyth.”
325 employees
Based at the Energy Central site at the Port of Blyth, Osbit specialises in the supply of tailored equipment and engineering services to enable the execution of challenging offshore projects.
Osbit
Based at the Energy Central site at the Port of Blyth, Osbit specialises in the supply of tailored equipment and engineering services to enable the execution of challenging offshore projects.
Based at Energy Central, at the Port of Blyth, Royal IHC is a reliable supplier of innovative and efficient equipment, vessels and services for the offshore, dredging and wet mining markets.
IHC
Having assisted Royal IHC Ltd. to relocate its entire manufacturing and project base into Blyth, the port has supported the assembly of the world’s most advanced J-Lay pipe system. This astonishing piece of equipment weighing in excess of 2000 tonnes has been loaded out on to the quay. Experience of projects on this scale mean the Port of Blyth is well positioned to support the large substation structures, volume fabricated foundation systems or balance of plant storage.
Statnett and National Grid: Statnett and NationalGrid are working together to construct the North Sea Link – an electricity link between Norway and the UK and the world’s longest subsea interconnector.
North Sea Link
Statnett and National Grid are working together to construct the North Sea Link – a nationally significant electricity link between Norway and the UK and the world’s longest subsea interconnector covering 720km. Connecting the electricity systems of the two countries via high voltage subsea cables from Kvilldal in Norway to Northumberland Energy Park Phase 2 in Blyth, the project sees Energy Central involved in another major offshore construction project with international significance. The North Sea Link will be operational by 2021.