Member Article

Hitachi win for Durham's She’s Gott It

Durham-based, She’s Gott It, has been awarded the contract to provide full project management services for one of the most eagerly awaited events in this year’s North East business calendar – the official opening of the Hitachi Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility.

Over 500 guests will attend the prestigious event at the £82 million manufacturing facility in Newton Aycliffe, in September.

The opening will be a major milestone for Hitachi, which is delivering the government’s £5.7 billion InterCity Express Programme (IEP).

The Class 800/801 trains for the East Coast Main Line and Great Western Main Line will be manufactured at the site, which will directly employ approximately 730 people.

The facility will also be used to manufacture AT200 commuter trains for Abellio for the ScotRail network, and will run between Edinburgh and Glasgow and on the Alloa-Dunblane line. In addition to manufacturing, the location will be home to an on-site research and development centre and test track, representing further investment into the North East.

Formed in 2002, She’s Gott It focusses on the creation, planning and delivery of events on a national basis and managing director, Nickie Gott, was North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007. The company has a growing portfolio of high profile corporate clients including SAGE, Nissan, Vertu Motors and Lookers car dealership.

Nickie Gott, Managing Director of She’s Gott It said: “This is a highly prestigious project and one that event management companies across the UK would have been eager to win. The brief provided was challenging and demanding and we responded with a solution which met Hitachi’s ambition to make this an event to remember. We have some big surprises in store to ensure the day has the ‘wow factor’.

“We are now working with all the key stakeholders involved in the construction of the factory as well as getting participation from the local community. During the opening ceremony we plan to salute the region’s significant past contribution to the rail industry as well as recognise the exciting and dynamic future that lies ahead for the region with the opening of this fantastic Hitachi facility.

“This contract award is a great accolade for She’s Gott It and we also like to think that it demonstrates the quality and expertise the North East has to offer in the field of creative services.”

Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail Europe said: “Having approached a number of potential events management companies we felt that She’s Gott It best matched and suited our values as a business. We are proud to be opening a brand new train manufacturing facility in the North East. The Stockton to Darlington Railway (S&DR) was originally a railway company that operated in North East England from 1825 to 1863.

“This made it the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives. Hitachi Rail Europe is effectively bringing train building back home to its roots. We are thrilled to be opening our facility and we are very proud to say that this factory will support and underpin apprenticeships and engineering jobs for many years to come.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations .