Engineering and Manufacturing Forum – November 2024
Date published:
At our most recent engineering and manufacturing forum, hosted by Equinor in South Shields, we focussed on offshore wind and regional opportunities following the government’s industrial strategy.
Tom Nightingale, UK Supply Chain Leader, Renewables at Equinor welcomed us to their site and talked about the Dogger Bank Wind Farm with A, B, C and potential D sites set to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Investment in North Sea wind farming is a massive opportunity for the North East due to the crowded nature of southern wind farms.
Equinor specifically highlighted the significance of the North East Investment Zone (NEIZ) and how ‘Made Smarter’ is supporting the development of business in the North East.
The group then heard from Julia Austin Advanced Manufacturing Programme Manager at the North East Combined Authority who was able to give an update on the Made Smarter programme and the support that the North East Growth Hub is able to offer businesses.
Julia was then able to discuss the importance of advanced manufacturing and electric vehicles and offshore wind and renewable energy to the region’s economy. As well as these key sectors the North East Combined Authority are also focused on wider growth in the foundational economy and tackling issues around child poverty.
Attendees then had a chance to give feedback to the Chamber around the Get Britian Working White Paper as well as the regional opportunities in the government’s industrial strategy. There was also an update from the Chamber’s international trade team around events next year and how the team can support businesses interested in exporting.
Attendees then enjoyed the opportunities to network and make new connections and catch up with existing contacts from across the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
After the forum attendees were able to go on a tour of Equinor and see some of the facilities in person.
The Chamber’s engineering and manufacturing forum has been established to bring together North East businesses across engineering and manufacturing sectors, as a platform for focused discussion, sharing concerns, achievements, and best practice and information gathering to support effective Chamber campaigning.
To find out more or to be included in the forum invite list, please contact either: [email protected] or [email protected].