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Gazette can help firms survive recession
TIMES are tough for businesses at the moment, and some companies in South Tyneside are being hit hard by the credit crunch.
However, although the borough has the highest unemployment rate in North East England, there are still reasons for optimism.
Some 140 permanent jobs are being created at the new Asda store in Coronation Street, South Shields.
And just this week, hopes were revealed of 200 more jobs at the McNulty Offshore yard in South Shields now it has secured a multi-million pound contract as part of the world's biggest wind farm project.
While the Gazette has a duty to report on how the credit crunch is biting in the borough's business community, we are also pleased to be able to report on industrial success stories, on our weekly Doing the Business page and in news stories.
South Tyneside Council deputy leader Alan Kerr sees a vital role for the Gazette in accentuating the positives within the local economy.
Coun Kerr said: "These are tough times for local businesses, so it is more important than ever that we support them, that we celebrate their achievements, and that we promote South Tyneside as a great place to do business.
"By working closely with the Gazette, businesses can make people aware of new products and services, expansions, new contracts and the achievements of their staff.
"These success stories can inspire local people to start a business of their own, which is the culture we are trying to foster in South Tyneside.
"Due to the credit crunch, we have seen businesses experiencing difficulties or having to cut staff.
"In these cases, we work with the Gazette to make those affected aware of the help and support available from the council and its partners."
Peter Brumby, chairman of both South Tyneside Business Network and the South Tyneside committee of the North East Chamber of Commerce, agrees, saying: "The need for businesses to work closely with their local newspapers has never been more important.
"It is so important for businesses to get their message across, both in marketing and PR terms, or simply to keep their name in front of the public.
"Where better to start than their local paper? I know the Shields Gazette is always receptive to stories reflecting success here in South Tyneside.
"By using the Gazette, businesses have the opportunity to keep their customers, prospective customers and competitors up to date on happenings in their particular business.
"What an opportunity to increase the feelgood factor in these difficult financial times."
Since relocating from Sunderland to South Tyneside in 2007, family-run Cottam Brush has proved to be the perfect example of the type of business success story often featured in the Gazette.
Manufacturing domestic and commercial brushes for import and export, the firm's base at Monkton Business Park North, Hebburn, has acted as a springboard for expansion.
The company is now set to trade in China through an agent based in Beijing.
Managing director Ben Cottam said: "From a business perspective, we at Cottam Brush are big fans of local newspapers and, in particular, the Shields Gazette.
"Since moving here 18 months ago, we have featured regularly in the Shields Gazette and maintain frequent communications with it.
"Our reason for being proactive with our local newspaper is twofold – it helps promote our business to potential customers, and it raises our profile in the local community."
Mr Cottam said positive news stories about his company help boost its commercial profile in the eyes of customers, potential customers and suppliers.
He added: "We do have customers and suppliers located in the catchment area of the Gazette, but also, with the advent of the Internet, stories are now duplicated on the web and can be accessed around the world.
"This helps build reputation on a national level and is also useful when looking for international customers.
"More often than not, potential customers will start their evaluation with a simple Google search."
Mr Cottam believes family businesses need to maintain good relationships with their local communities: "We have a long-term business plan for our factory in Hebburn and consider this our permanent home."
That also helps in the recruitment of good-quality staff, said Mr Cottam.
He explained: "We recently recruited for two vacancies in our production department and our local profile helped, as many of the applicants were familiar with our company.
"Several candidates mentioned having read about us in the Gazette when we asked them why they applied to work with us.
"One of the key benefits of local newspapers is the positive outlook and the promotion of good news, which is not something that is so popular with our national Press."
Another South Tyneside company making waves across the world is Solar Solve Marine, based at Tyne Dock in South Shields.
A world leader in the production of anti-glare screens for ships, the company has carved out a lucrative specialist niche in the international marine industry.
Managing director Julie Lightfoot said: "From a business point of view, the Gazette helps to raise the profile and reputation of Solar Solve in the borough, informing local people of business success stories and also problems we are facing at local, national and international levels.
"Success stories can help to generate the feelgood factor and give hope and inspiration to people and other businesses who may be finding times hard at the moment.
"The local Press is the most effective channel for this. Only a local newspaper can help to build a sense of community and allow people to share in what is going on in their home town."
Ms Lightfoot added: "Unwelcome as a recession may be, it should spell long-term success for businesses that embrace the opportunity to run a tighter ship, in terms of basic management disciplines and promoting their business."
"We promote the fact we are based in South Shields and that our products are manufactured locally, and this helps us to successfully sell to shipyards and ship owners worldwide.
"From a business perspective, we feel that the local Press has a very important role to play in the local community."
Ford Component Manufacturing chairman Geoff Ford said: "South Tyneside's business sector is well aware of the role it has to play in building a stronger community for us all.
"After all, it's the businesses that generate economic activity in the borough.
"While we may be in the teeth of a recession, there is considerable resilience among business people.
"However, there's something missing if we succeed but don't communicate the good news to the rest of the community, and this is where the media have a role to play.
"The Gazette, as befits the longest established local newspaper in England, has always had a good relationship with the business sector.
"There are, of course, occasions when it does appear that bad news is deemed more newsworthy than good news, but, it has to be said, it is up to businesses to let the Gazette know when they have good news to tell."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
