Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering

A strong heritage in engineering and manufacturing

South Tyneside is an ideal location for manufacturing and engineering businesses to set up and grow. With a large established workforce in the sector, a skilled pool of graduates, and a range of affordable premises options including the new International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

The North East has a large skills base that supplies a productive, innovative and highly-developed workforce. More than 116,000 people work in manufacturing roles, including 58,000 specialist workers employed in advanced manufacturing.

Being located here, advanced manufacturing and engineering companies can service UK customers or be reached by suppliers via the comprehensive road network we link to. The Port of Tyne, one of the UK’s most innovative and efficient deep-sea ports, is located right here in South Shields, handling cargoes across five continents.

Bespoke advanced manufacturing and engineering units

Land and premises options in South Tyneside include bespoke off-spec factories, or readily available units in established locations.

The International Advanced Manufacturing Park offers bespoke advanced manufacturing units in a prime North East location on the A19 economic corridor.

The first phase of the project, a partnership between South Tyneside and Sunderland Councils, is now complete with manufacturing giants SNOP UK, AESC UK, Jatco and Faltec Europe on site, adjacent to the Nissan UK plant.

IAMP now offers the potential to develop up to 1.8m sq ft of flexible business accommodation. Bespoke plots can be designed to meet specific requirements, with build to suit units from 35,000 square foot available. IAMP is one of North East England’s Investment Zone Sites.

Tyne Dock Enterprise Zone offers a 7.1ha site for development with 550 metres of direct riverside frontage. with direct access to multiple riverside berths as well as container, RoRo and bulk cargo facilities. Located within the Port of Tyne in South Shields, the site offers a superb development opportunity to support and enhance the region’s strong engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Our workforce

North East England has a highly-skilled, loyal workforce, trained in the very latest manufacturing processes and techniques.  More than 116,000 people work in manufacturing roles and 58,000 of those are specialist workers employed in advanced manufacturing businesses.

With exceptionally low attrition rates, companies locating here can be confident to invest in training their staff for future growth. The North East also offers highly competitive salary costs for advanced manufacturing jobs. To employ an engineer in the North East is around a third less than London and cheaper than most other UK regions including the West Midlands and Scotland. 

The region’s talent pool is strengthened by a wealth of students specialising in science and engineering subjects primed for the workplace. There are over 129,000 students across our five universities, with more than 68,000 studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, ensuring a large talent pool of future industry-ready employees. 

Local colleges and universities offer over 300 advanced manufacturing-related courses, many of which are integrally linked to the prospective job market. Our five universities and higher education institutions work hand-in-hand with industry and business networks to develop and deliver bespoke training courses, giving the workers of the future the technical skills they need for careers in advanced manufacturing. 

Global success stories

Steeped in a strong history of manufacturing, businesses have invested in South Tyneside over many decades.

Barbour

Clothing manufacturer Barbour began trading in the Market Place in South Shields in 1894; they continue to employ a skilled workforce manufacturing at their HQ here.

Ford Engineering Group

Ford Engineering Group are specialists in their field of precision engineering; they have served global aerospace, automotive and marine markets to name a few for over 100 years, from South Tyneside.

Port of Tyne

One of the most efficient deep sea ports in the UK, Port of Tyne is located in South Tyneside, providing easy access to the North Sea and beyond. With a full supply chain service including cargo, storage, warehousing, logistics and distribution, its prime location on the North East coast provides great connectivity across road, rail and sea.