The North East's manufacturing sector is enjoying a resurgence with new firms launching at a faster rate than anywhere in the UK.

A new report by BDO LLP and EEF shows that there are 3.9% more firms than a year earlier, with manufacturing now accounting for 14.8% of the region's output and employing 115,000 staff across the region.

Liz Mayes, North East region director at EEF, said: "Positive trends in UK manufacturing are being reflected here in the North East and confidence within the sector across the region is growing.
"The pick-up in the mechanical equipment and metals industries has driven growth and UK orders have increased over the year, which has improved confidence."

This growth is having positive effects for the region's recycling and waste disposal companies who are also seeing growth and creation of jobs.

Total Recycling Services, based in the Tees Valley, has created a new industrial cleaning services division and has recently brought on three new members of staff.

Alex Foreman, managing director of Total Recycling Services said: “The Tees Valley has a great heritage in manufacturing excellence.

“As an example, take a look at what Nissan brings to the North East, it employs 30,000 people directly, with a further 141,000 jobs affected through its supply chain. With more big manufacturers comes more work for surrounding businesses such as ourselves.

“The region has already worked hard to create an infrastructure to support large scale manufacturing operations. We have excellent transport links, including Teesport, cheaper land prices and a skilled and ready workforce available.