Harrogate tech firm joins global exporters in Northern Powerhouse partnership

A Harrogate-based tech firm has joined some of the world’s most recognisable brands in signing up to support the Government’s plan for the Northern Powerhouse, as new figures show the region’s economy is now greater than that of some European nations.

Techbuyer joins New Balance, Hitachi and Playdale on the Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme, a Government initiative which brings together businesses and organisations from across the North of England.

The network supports the need for a combined effort by Government and business to realise the North’s economic potential.

According to the latest statistics, the Northern Powerhouse is worth over £330bn a year to the UK economy, and since 2014 its exports have steadily increased. The region now supports around 20% of total UK goods exports – worth £60bn in 2017.

Techbuyer is one of the fastest growing tech businesses in Britain with 57% of its sales coming from outside the UK. Employee numbers at the company’s plant in Harrogate, have increased by almost 200%.

Kevin Towers, managing director of Techbuyer, said: “Techbuyer has found everything we need to run and grow our business right here in the North and we’d like to promote the opportunities and potential we see around us. Last year, over 57% of our sales shipped internationally and having our main distribution centre in North Yorkshire has been great for national and international trade.

“We live and work in a thriving location with a wide range of businesses – from SMEs to international, traditional to innovative – providing us with services, customers and stock suppliers. Increased connectivity and investment is surely key to addressing the current imbalance between North and South and showcasing the development and successes of Northern businesses like ours is one way to achieve this.”

Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry added: “Having these trailblazing exporters join the Northern Powerhouse Partners programme is a real boost to our efforts to fuel enterprise and growth in the North of England.

“As we seize the opportunities that come with leaving the European Union, it will be the manufacturers of the Northern Powerhouse that will help us deliver a strong and resilient economy fit for the future.”

Other companies joining are:

New Balance UK, which employs 270 people at its site in Flimby, Cumbria producing 500,000 pairs of shoes a year with 80% of sales revenues from exports.

Hitachi, a company which has established a state-of-the-art train factory in County Durham which employs over 730 people.

Playdale –  the firm’s head office, manufacturing facilities and global distribution centre are situated on the edge of the Lake District in Cumbria. To date, they have created over 22,000 play areas in 47 countries across the world.

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