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ENTAGROUP Press Release – Archive
TELFORD DYNAMIC BUSINESS LOCATION – 2000
The town is one of the west Midlands regional growth points, attracting over ? billion of investment, 1,500 new companies and over 30,000jobs in the last 20 years. Located within 30 miles west of Birminham, yet set in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, Telford offers the best of both worlds-an efficient business enviroment with modern shopping and leisure facilities togther with historic communities such as Ironbridge, an UNESCO World Heritage site and the centre of the the first Industrial revolution. Today, Telford is experiencing a second, technological, revolution attracting world class manufacturers and fast growing E-conference and call centre companies. There are now some 160 overseas investors located in the town, including one of the UK's highest concentrations of japanese and Taiwanese manufacturing facilities. Key sectors are automotive conponents, electronics, polymers, food and computers. Major investors, include Epson, Denso, GKN Sankey, Aga Rayburn, Heinz Single Services, Siemens, Alvis, TI Group, Brintons, Ricoh, Maxell, Enta Technologies and Makita. Traditional strengths in manufacturing are now complemented by a large and growing service sector, including government agencies, financial services and call centres.
Major investors include EDS, the Ministry of Defence, Natwest Bank, Scoot UK and Windsor Life Assurance. Telford is reconized by the Henley Centre for forcasting as one of the most dynamic in the UK due to its young population, economic growth, inward investment and ability to create employment, The town was also placed in the top five locations for employment growth during the last 15 years by business strategies, a leading forecasting consultancy. One of Telford's strengths is the ready availabilty of modern properties and a large number of serviced sites with excellent motorway access. The majority of these high quality sites are owned by English partnerships and are marketed with the benefit of outline planning permission. Costs are another important factor to new and expanding companies. A recent international survey named Telford as one of the most cost-effective locations for inward investment. The KPMG "Competitive Alternatives" study looked at the set-upand operating costs in sixty-four towns and cities in the G7 countries. Nine industry sectors were considered including elecronics, plastic products food processing and software, and countries were ranked over the first ten years of trading.
Within Europe, Telford was ranked first above fifteen other European Cities. The strength of Telfords manufacturing base and success at attracting inward investment has recently been highlighted in a pan-European study into the connection between the sustainability of the the local economy and the contribution of companies in the Inforamtion Communications and Tehnology industry (ICT). The study has been carried out by The Centre for Urban and Regional Studies at the University of Birmingham in association with the Telford Development Agency. The ICT industry comprises companies involved in office machinery and computer, radio, television and commication equipment, computer and related activities. With over 40 per cent of its employment in manufacturing, Telford was seen as island of manufacturing activity in a region and a country where manufacturing has declined substantially, and identified as one of the strongest districts in the country. In terms of economic performance, the Telford area has the highest per capita GDP of the West Midlands (1996, source: ONS) and was 34 per cent above the UK average. However, the report also identified the changing global market and a range of opportunities to be addressed if Telford was to replicate its outstanding success of the last 20 years and attract smaller high-tech companies. Telford's workforce now stands at around 72,000. The population of the district is over 150,000 and is projected to rise by 1,600 per year for the next ten years. This creates a growing workforce of 1,000 people per year. For employment purpose, Telford can draw on a large catchment area with a potential labour supply of some 300,000 within 30 minutes drive time. Telford combines exellent modern facilities with an abundance of natural features such as the dramatic Severn Valley gorge, ancient woodlands, meadows, lakes and pools. The area is also a magnet for over two million visitors a year attracted by the unbeatable range of tourist, conference, shopping and leisure facilities. This attractive combination of old and new has proved a winning combination for companies and people who look to move into the area. Telford continues to expand, mature and adapt, weathering changes in the economy and working a better way of doing business and people a better quality of life. For futher information on a business location in Telford contact the Telford Development Agency on 01952 293262 or look at our web site on www.telford.uk.com
Birmingham Post
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