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Three of Derwentside’s most successful business organisations are joining together to create a new agency with the resources and expertise to take the district forward into the next stage of its successful recovery from the steelworks closure in 1980.
Derwentside Enterprise Agency (DEA) has been formed by the merger of the district’s enterprise agency DIDA, the Derwentside Engineering Forum and the Derwentside Business Network. The aim is to create a private-sector led partnership between the public and private sectors that can build on the major achievements already made and create a robust local economy capable of meeting the challenges of today’s competitive global market-place.
DIDA has an enviable 27-year track record of attracting and nurturing successful new businesses. They range from internationally recognised companies such as Derwent Valley Foods, now part of KP Foods; Bioprocessing, now part of Millipore Corporation; Integrated Micro Products, now part of Sun Microsystems and CAV Aerospace to hundreds of smaller and medium sized ventures that have also been helped to start and expand with DIDA’s help.
The Engineering Forum represents around 30 of the district’s major companies with a combined turnover of more than £250m and employing about 3,500 people. They include Romag Ltd, Electrak Ltd, Dyer Engineering Ltd and the Nicholsons, Explorer and Tanfield Groups. Derwentside Business Network is one of the region’s most successful business clubs with around 50 members, including many of the district’s micro and smaller businesses.
“In the early days the emphasis was on re-building the economy and a great deal has been achieved,” said DIDA Director Steve Armstrong. “We now have a relatively high level of manufacturing activity here and many successful international companies.
“Now, we need to recognise the changing needs of businesses and the many new challenges that they are facing. We have to retain and support our local companies in a number of ways, including making sure that they have the skilled workforce they need, in order to increase Derwentside’s levels of productivity and business enterprise. We are pooling our expertise, resources and information to create a strong organisation for the future.”
John Lyle, Chairman of the Derwentside Engineering Forum, said: “The Forum brings a strong membership from the local engineering and manufacturing sector to DEA along with experience in encouraging companies to collaborate in areas such as sales, purchasing and marketing. We also provide support with new product and process development and work closely with colleges and other engineering networks to encourage the provision of apprenticeships.
“We also actively promote company links with education and the community through initiatives such as the Schools Engineering Challenge and the introduction of the New Engineering Diploma. A great deal has already been achieved in Derwentside and we are now looking forward to the future with confidence.”
Martin Bell, Vice-Chairman of the Derwentside Business Network said “This merger brings together three organisations with a wide range of expertise. We have the history of working with the micro and smaller businesses that have real potential to grow with the right support. Combining our strengths into one Agency can only benefit everyone involved and the district.”
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