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Engineering the region’s Future Growth

Over the next ten to fifteen years, the energy sector will see large scale investments and developments that will represent a multi-million pound set of opportunities for the engineering sector in the Norfolk, Suffolk and overall Eastern Region.

In recognition of this exceptional prospect for the region, the Engineering Future Growth (EFG) Exhibition and Conference at the Great Yarmouth Racecourse, 25th January 2012 has been organised to prepare businesses for the needs of the multi-faceted energy sector.

Norfolk – Constructing the Future Conference, Building the Broadland Growth Triangle, & Build Norfolk Construction Marketplace

When: Thursday 1st December 2011
Time: 0900 to 1600 hrs
Where: John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich Research Park

Who should attend? Construction and built enviornment supply chain businesses, materials suppliers, manufacturers, clients, developers, building contractors and professionals such as architects, surveyors and engineers.

Make sure your business is ready to compete in the construction industry of the future:

Funding available for innovative businesses

Funding of £4,000 has been awarded to The Ruth Nicholls Volleyball Foundation, a memorial foundation set up to improve the teaching of sport in schools by the Norfolk Knowledge Innovation Panel to develop a new net system which will be a revolutionary way for schools to teach ball games.

New Yarmouth vessel will work on largest offshore wind farm

A Norfolk civil engineering company celebrated its success by officially unveiling a state-of-the-art vessel to be used on the world’s largest offshore wind farm project.

Thousands sign up to save threatened Cromer Crab Company

Over 1,000 signatures were collected in the town according to Sam Rushworth, spokesman for the Labour Party’s Keep It Cromer Campaign, among those signing today were tourists who viewed Cromer crabs as an iconic brand.

A significant step forward has also been taken to give Cromer crabs the same protection as products like champagne and Melton Mowbray pork pies.

Mr Rushworth said a week-long media focus on the threatened Holt Road factory, including the North Norfolk News’ own Claws Off campaign, had heightened awareness of the battle.

Trade boost for eastern region firms

Latest international trade data has revealed that businesses in the East of England are out-performing every other part of the UK in exporting to the European Union.

Statistics released by HM Revenue & Customs reveal that in the first quarter of 2011 exports to EU countries from the East of England rose by 34.9pc – more than three times the UK increase of 11.4pc.

In the 12 months to March, companies from the eastern region sold goods worth £14.82bn to the EU, which accounts for more than 10pc of the UK’s total trade.

Swaffham-based firm with a big role in the airline industry

When you travel on any airline, it is tempting to treat the safety briefing – where the air stewardesses wave their arms around, flap at exits and pretend to inflate a lifejacket – as pre-flight background noise.

But hidden somewhere in that briefing, is a critical line which links every airliner in the world to a small industrial premise in Swaffham.

At some stage, the briefing will refer to ‘in the event of an emergency’ – ie when the lights go out – and draws your attention to the illuminated strips along the aisle floors which will guide you to the nearest exit.

Norfolk Food Festival plans to spread the word about top local produce

As organisers launch the 2011 EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival event today, they say their aim is to make it a destination festival which will show off our top-class produce to a much wider audience.

It is already the country’s largest food festival, with more than 1,000 events showing off the best food and drink Norfolk has to offer.

But despite its ever-increasing popularity, the EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival remains a well-kept secret outside of this county.

Team Lotus principal is a world leader in creativity

Team Lotus principal Tony Fernandes has been named as one of the most creative people in the business world for 2011 by an influential magazine.

Mr Fernandes picked up the accolade from the New York based business magazine Fast Company in its June 2011 edition.

Mr Fernandes, the only Malaysian and South East Asian on the list, said:

"to be recognised as among the world's most creative people in business is an honour for me, as it is for my colleagues at Air Asia, Norfolk-based Team Lotus and Tune Group"

Norfolk to be part of ‘manufacturing revival’

Norfolk and Cambridge emerge as key growth locations in a report which predicts a revival of hi-tech British manufacturing in the next decade. The report, The Future of Business 2011 from HSBC Commercial Banking, forecasts a resurgence in regions that have relevant skills and infrastructure.