The plant manager of 3M Aycliffe has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for this year’s Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards.
Paul Hind, who has worked for 3M for 25 years, says he’s looking forward to sharing his career highlights at the event, being held at Hardwick Hall Hotel on May 9.
3M – which won the Aycliffe Company of the Year award two years ago – employs 270 people at its Aycliffe Business Park site and has been a key employer for the local area for almost 70 years.
Newtonian Paul was appointed plant manager in 2020 after holding various roles with the firm since first joining them in 1999.
“I come from a family of Aycliffe Business park workers,” said Paul, who completed his apprenticeship with South West Durham Training.
“Aunts and uncles and cousins at 3M. Between us, there’s more than 120 years of service, with businesses including Bakelite, Perstorp/Dynea GEC, Avec, Flymo, Husqvarna, Formica, Upex, Electrolux, Presswork Metals, Claremont Garments, Permoid, Ozelid and Toothill’s.
“When I started work it was ‘the industrial estate’, where many people would walk to work, crossing the old railway lines in all weathers.
“But, over the years, it has transformed into this vibrant business park, with shops, gyms, cafes and leisure facilities.
“So I’m incredibly proud to have been asked to provide the keynote speech for the Make Your Mark Awards and I’m looking forward to what I know will be a fantastic evening of celebrating Aycliffe Business Park.”
Paul began his career as an apprentice with Thorn Lighting in Spennymoor, with the first year spent at SWDT.
After a brief stint in London, he returned to his native North-East and found a job at Schott Glass in Aycliffe for six months before joining 3M in 1999, initially in the maintenance department.
He has since worked in research and development, quality and production management before he was asked to manage a plant in Swansea for four years.
Paul returned to 3M Aycliffe as plant manager in 2020 and guided the factory through the pandemic, which included a huge ramping up of the production of respirators.
The Make Your Mark Awards are being delivered by Resolution Media and Publishing on behalf of Aycliffe Business Park Community (ABPC).
ABPC chair Kerina Clark said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Paul Hind as the keynote speaker for our awards this year.
“3M were winners of the Company of the Year award when we last held these awards in 2022, so it’s fantastic to have Paul representing them this year.
“Paul also clearly has strong personal ties with the business park as well as an interesting CV, so we’re looking forward to hearing that story on the night.”
The Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards will be held in the Coleman Suite at Hardwick Hall Hotel on the evening of Thursday, May 9.
Tickets costing £85 per head, or £800 for a table of 10 (+vat), include a welcome drink, table wine, 3-course dinner and a souvenir programme. They’re available by emailing [email protected]