New industry cluster forms in north-east England

Industry in north-east England will have a powerful new voice with the launch of the North East Process Industry Cluster, otherwise known as NEPIC.

NEPIC - bringing together many of the largest manufacturing companies in the region from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical sectors - will represent over 350 member organisations with a combined economic power of £8bn. Representing a quarter of the entire north-east industrial base, its members employ over 34,000 people directly and a further 200,000 in support companies.

Formed from the merger of the Pharmaceutical & Speciality (P&S) Cluster, based in Tyne & Wear, and the Teesside Chemical Initiative (TCI), located in Tees Valley, NEPIC hopes to build on the strengths and success that they helped to put in place across the north-east. In recent months they have supported the launch of Aesica Pharmaceuticals in Northumberland, which safeguarded 145 jobs; helped SSL International in Peterlee with recruitment and funding to create more jobs and improve profitability; and secured the investment by Huntsman Petrochemicals in a new polyethylene plant at Wilton to create 117 jobs and underpin a further 750.

NEPIC will also have a major impact on schools and universities. It will work closely with the new Science Learning Centre North East, located in Durham, to improve science teaching in schools, encourage young people to enter the industry and to improve the perception of science. NEPIC also hopes to improve the skills of people in the industry by working closely with the Learning and Skills Council and the Sector Skills Councils.

The NEPIC Leadership Team will be chaired by Bob Coxon and will include sixteen other business leaders drawn from key companies across the region. One NorthEast, the regional development agency, is backing NEPIC with core funding of £500,000.