Member Article

Celebration for cluster's achievements

The Minister of State for Health was the guest of honour at an event last week to celebrate the achievements of the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC).

Mr Johnson, in his former role as Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry, helped launch NEPIC at Westminster in November 2005. On Friday 28 March he came to the region to speak at Dr Ashok Kumar MP’s local constituency event and representatives of the local Process Industry took the opportunity to present him with a commemorative tankard to note the Cluster’s achievements.

Dr Stan Higgins, CEO of NEPIC, said: “We get a lot of support from our local MPs and Ashok Kumar MP in particular has helped us a lot on many different issues. Three years ago, Alan Johnson gave us his valuable time to raise the profile of our work. With his help we attracted about 200 people to our launch event in London and this gave the Cluster the kick-start it needed to get it off the ground.

His visit to Teesside coincides with the announcement that NEPIC, through its work with the industry, has created over £100m of GVA for the local economy. “We have helped to create or protect over 1500 jobs and establish 10 new businesses in the region. Our presentation to Mr. Johnson is in recognition of his contribution to our work.”

Mr. Alan Johnson said: “I am delighted to be in Middlesborough to see what a great success NEPIC has become. When I launched the scheme back in 2005 all of us had high hopes that the Cluster would generate a significant level of GVA for the region. Without doubt NEPIC has exceeded those expectations. Let us all hope this will be an indication of continued success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .