Over 180 local firms gather to discuss “massive benefits” of £300m Teesworks offshore wind facility

A raft of local firms yesterday turned out to discover the opportunities for them to get involved in the construction of a mammoth new offshore wind facility at Teesworks.

The major supply chain event welcomed a total of 187 of Tees Valley’s biggest names from across a range of sectors, including Francis Brown, Lionweld Kennedy, Jacksons Law, Calm Digital and Seymour Civil Engineering.

There, representatives from global pipe manufacturer SeAH Wind Ltd laid out how they can benefit from its £200-300m monopile manufacturing facility being brought to Teesworks, which will produce the large steel tubes that form the foundations of the construction of offshore wind turbines.

Once up and running it will be the world’s largest monopile plant for offshore wind turbines. Work on the factory, which will create 1,500 jobs in the supply chain and during construction, is planned to begin in July.

NOF, which provides comprehensive business development services for companies in the energy sector, held the event at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, backed by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, which offered to cover ticket costs for firms based in the region.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen commented: “Projects like SeAH Wind will bring massive benefits for our brilliant local businesses, helping them to grow and, ultimately, creating more jobs for people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“With this event, SeAH Wind is giving yet another vote of confidence in our area and the companies and skills we have right on our doorstep.”

Francis Brown CEO Jamie Brown said: “This engagement event showed that SeAH Wind is truly committed to using local businesses and expertise and is actively encouraging us to work alongside them as they bring forward this huge project - it’s not just lip service.”

SeAH sales and business development manager David Jack added: “SeAH Wind understands the importance of engaging with suppliers at every level in the local supply chain. Today’s event is testimony to the existing capability, expertise, and willingness of the suppliers from not just Teesside but the UK in general to support our mega project.”

Joanne Leng MBE, chief executive of NOF, concluded: “NOF was proud to work with SeAH and Tees Valley Combined Authority on this event which attracted a significant turnout from the local supply chain.

“This region has an outstanding, strong and innovative supply chain and I have no doubt that many of the companies in attendance will benefit from opportunities arising from this new facility.”

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