A LEADING South Tyneside engineering company has become the 200th member of a major regional business group.
Ford Aerospace, which has bases in South Shields, Hebburn and North Tyneside, has signed up to the President’s Club of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).
Geoff Ford, chairman of Ford Aerospace, said he hopes the President’s Club can influence decisions about the region in the corridors of power in Whitehall, London.
The club is made up of most of the large, corporate and influential businesses across the North East.
NECC president, John Mowbray, said: “It is with great pride that I welcome one of the region’s oldest and most respected companies as our 200th member.
“It is fitting that a firm established in the region over 100 years ago helps us achieve our double century of members.”
Mr Ford, head of the borough precision engineering specialists, said the President’s Club helps to unite and boost the regional business community. He said: “The club is made up of people who can make a difference to the region and I feel it is important to be part of that.
“The North East has little, if any, representation in Whitehall and with the closure of One North East, which was an impressive organisation, it has become increasingly difficult for the region to have a voice in London, where the decisions are made.
“Saying that, the region is performing well on its own. We have moved away from the ‘begging bowl’ approach and we’re now demonstrating, through our manufacturing and export performance, just what we are capable of and how much more we could be doing.
“I believe that organisations like NECC can use the weight of the President’s Club membership to provide a united voice for North East business.”
Originally established in South Shields in 1910, Ford Aerospace is a specialist in precision machining and component pressing for the aerospace industry.
Twitter: @terrykelly16
Comments