By Martin Walker
Phil Wilson told more than 400 business delegates he expects the eagerly-awaited Hitachi factory to be the “new Nissan for the North-East”.
Mr Wilson, the Labour MP for Sedgefield who played a major part in helping to bring Hitachi to the town, opened the proceedings at Thursday’s construction open day at the Xcel Centre on the Business Park.
Go to our Video Vault to see Mr Wilson’s opening speech
More than 400 guests poured into the centre’s impressive auditorium as people from all walks of the construction industry heard from a string of key people including Mr Wilson and managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe, Keith Jordan.
Crucially, business leaders also heard from Development Project Manager Mark Bickle, the man responsible for tendering out all construction work from archaeology and groundworks to steel fabrication, electricians and plumbers.
Hitachi’s initial £77m investment in the 42,700sqm plant at Aycliffe will create 200 jobs in its construction and 500 full-time personnel when the factory is completed by the end of 2014.
Mr Wilson said: “The number of people here today just goes to show how significant this development is for Newton Aycliffe and the North-East of England.
“The object of today’s presentations is principally about the construction strategy and procurement, which also addresses opportunities for local and national suppliers of all levels.
“The potential is to create up to 200 direct jobs and several more in the supply chain – I see this as another Nissan for the North-East.”
Mr Wilson also made light of today’s mixed weather conditions, adding: “I’m sorry about the rain, but I do know there’s a lot of bright, sunny indicators for this area once the factory is up and running.”
On Friday, Aycliffe Today will bring you:
● Speech by Keith Jordan, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd
● Speech by Geoff Hunton, director of Merchant Place Developments (MPD)
● Speech by Andrew Steadman, development manager, MPD
● Speech by Mark Bickle, Development Project Manager
● Interview with Phil Wilson MP
● Interview with Hitachi’s newly-appointed plant manager for Newton Aycliffe, Darren Cumner
SEE PHIL WILSON’S OPENING SPEECH HERE