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Mayor of Tees Valley takes inspiration for growth from TWI

Fri, 09 February, 2018

In the year since Lord Heseltine first opened TWI’s new technology and training centre in Middlesbrough, the organisation has seen notable growth in its work for industry in the Tees Valley area across the oil and gas, chemical, power and transport sectors, and a boost in the number of students attending training and examination courses. 

To gain a wider picture of the business, its technical programmes and the potential impact on his area of local government, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen paid a visit to TWI headquarters in Cambridge. 

One of the highlights of Mr Houchen’s visit was a tour of TWI laboratories, with demonstrations of friction welding, coating of materials and non-destructive testing along the way. He was particularly impressed with the application of welding technology for the light-weighting of fuel systems for astrospace, how friction technology has been applied to the welding of underground train carriages, and the merging of different materials for products such as the batteries for electric vehicles. 

The Mayor commented, ‘Seeing some of the wonderful technologies developed here has given me inspiration and real ideas about what we should be aspiring for in the Tees Valley.’

Describing TWI facilities as ‘second to none’, he continued, ‘It is really interesting going around this site and seeing the volume of new and patented technology developed by TWI over the last 40-50 years. It’s fascinating to see what is happening here at the same time as being able to see exciting progress in regions like Middlesbrough. The one thing we’ve always done in Teesside is to build or create things, so now we need to sing about these fantastic new technologies, the research projects and training or career opportunities for our young adults and workforces, and move up the value chain.’

The local government Tees Valley covers five boroughs of Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-On-Tees, and Middlesbrough.

WATCH this video of the Mayor's visit

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