Vince Cable rejected criticism of a lack of support for North-east industry by the coalition Government as he visited a Teesside success story today.
The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills officially opened Ward Recycling’s new facility in South Bank - which includes a £450,000 glass clean-up extension.
Over the past 18 months the firm, which employs 146 people, has seen its overall turnover grow to more than £8m due to a rapid increase from foreign markets.
The extension is expected to create up to 56 jobs while safeguarding 28.
It forms part of a wider £3.2m investment supported by a £500,000 grant from Let’s Grow - a £30m Regional Growth Fund programme operated by The Gazette and its sister paper The Journal, BE Group and UNW LLP.
During his visit The Lib Dem minister hit back at Lord Beecham’s recent claims that he “should be ashamed of himself” for his part in the abolition of regional devleopment agency One North East.
The Labour peer said the Government had failed to invest in the North-east with the region ending up with a third less money under the Regional Growth Fund (which replaced ONE) than it did under ONE.
But Dr Cable said Lord Beecham - former leader of Newcastle City Council - was “totally missing the point”.
“The key thing is the leverage. For every £1 the Government puts in is how much more money you’re getting from other people.”
He said it is “five times as much” under the RGF.
Dr Cable added he believed that Teesside is performing well in representing itself to Government in a bid to regenerate the area.
“It is one of the first enterprise partnerships to get off the ground,” he said. “They work pretty well as a team. Teesside is acknowledged in the bigger picture.
“I can see that they have been very successful in new manufacturing - this is a very good example.”
Dr Cable unveiled an official plaque to mark the completion of the 5,000 sq ft extension and joined manager Gareth Godwin for a tour of the site, which processes around 1,300 tonnes of recycling each week.
Established in 2002, Ward Recycling operates nationwide Bring Bank collection services, dry recycling sorting and kerbside collections.
It first opened its glass beneficiation plant in 2012, which produces a material that is free from sharps and is commonly used to filter water for human consumption.
Manager Gareth Godwin said: “The business secretary’s visit has been a great way to mark the latest stage of our ambitious expansion.
“This investment represents the progress we’ve made as a company and has gone a long way to establishing the area as a hub for the green energy industry.
“The help provided by UKTI, Teesside University and the Let’s Grow fund demonstrates the strong support infrastructure in place in the North-east of England and the excellent opportunities it has on offer.”
Dr Cable added: “A strong manufacturing sector is at the heart of a sustainable economy, driving growth and enabling British businesses to have the confidence to invest and innovate.
“I was pleased to see Ward Recycling’s impressive expansion plans. Their state-of-the-art facility will enable them to exploit overseas markets and increase their workforce.
“Through the Regional Growth Fund, we have supported businesses to make their ambitions a reality, while generating significant private sector investment and creating highly skilled jobs.”
Redcar MP Ian Swales - on his last official engagement as an MP - said after his tour of the site with Dr Cable: “I think this is a great example of partnership working and it shows Teesside is not all about steel and chemicals. This is a good business that is growing very fast and employing local people.”
Dr Cable also announced that a consortium involving the Centre for Process Innovation in Wilton has been awarded a £6.2m grant from a Government fund as part of an £11.3m project.
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