ContiTech Beattie at Northumberland business awards

ContiTech Beattie Ltd has completed a three-year transformation by scooping two accolades at the Northumberland Business Awards.

These awards follow the company collecting the Business Development and Change Management prize at the national Institution of Mechanical Engineers Manufacturing Excellence Awards in London in June this year, and Employer of the Year at the Wansbeck Business Awards this October.

The company, which began trading over 25 years ago and employs just under 100 people from its base in Ashington, won the Export Award and Large Business of the Year at the celebration of Northumberland business and industry held at Linden Hall.

Manufacturing and supplying flexible hoses, couplings and fluid transfer systems to the international oil and gas industry, the company has undergone a major business process transformation. It has become a modern forward-thinking organisation that has grown its workforce from 76 in 2004 to 94 in 2008.

During that time ContiTech Beattie, which is also a member of business development organisation, NOF Energy, has invested heavily in the development of its workforce.

It received Investors in People recognition in 2007 and has benefitted from the Learning and Skills Council’s Train to Gain scheme to equip its workforce with important NVQ qualifications. In the next 12 months ContiTech Beattie will create around 200 training opportunities for its employees.

Andrew Esson, Managing Director of ContiTech Beattie, said: “The awards we have won this year are a reflection of the business plan we put in place a few years ago. We have taken advantage of the growth of the oil and gas sector, but have employed robust business methods and investment in skills to ensure we remain a viable and important part of the supply chain.

“This has enabled a 75 percent increase in turnover in a four year period with operating profits doubling. We are now developing our business strategy through to 2012, which will target a turnover of £42 million by further overseas sales growth, developing internal processes and developing new products and services.”

George Rafferty, Chief Executive of NOF Energy, said: “ContiTech Beattie is an excellent example of the high quality companies we have in the North East oil and gas supply chain. Its planning and investment in its people, products and systems has allowed it to become a respected supplier to the sector and a credit to the region.”

Editor’s Note:

NOF Energy, which is the business development organisation for the oil, gas and energy sectors, represents around 300 companies nationwide with a combined turnover in excess of £3billion. www.nofenergy.co.uk