[email protected] www.npt-business.co.uk

in business
Neath Port Talbot
IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
a war
welco e
... to our in business publication – essential reading for
companies already based in Neath Port Talbot and those
considering relocating their business to the area.
This publication is part of our commitment to develop local
enterprise, promote Neath Port Talbot as a business location and
raise awareness of real opportunities for investors in the area.
Economic Development Unit
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
The Quays
Brunel Way
Baglan Energy Park
Neath
SA11 2GG
01639 686835
contents
the right location
4/5
well connected
6/7
supporting business
8/9
creating the right environment
10/11
We have included features on major development projects,
including award winning business parks, the regeneration of town
centres, infrastructure improvements and ambitious plans to
develop leisure and tourism activities.
the business environment
12/13
encouraging innovation
14/15
attracting business investment
16/17
So, whether you are a local company looking for trading partners
or a business wanting to know more about Neath Port Talbot,
we hope you find this publication useful.
quality of life
18/19
our waterfront strategy
20/21
regenerating our valleys
22/23
looking ahead
24/25
COUNCILLOR ALUN THOMAS
LEADER, NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
email [email protected]
www.npt-business.co.uk
www.npt-business.co.uk
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
‘When online giant Amazon announced it would be creating over 1,000 jobs in Neath Port Talbot, it took
just 22 days to grant planning approval and 15 months from initial discussions to the site’s official opening.’
Neath Port Talbot Council & Welsh Assembly Government
Insider Property ‘Deal of the Year Award’
the right location
‘Regeneration is not just about bricks and
mortar. It is about improving the places
where we live and work, creating a
diverse and competitive economy to
encourage business growth and making
sure local people benefit from our
regeneration activities.’
Gareth Nutt,
Head of Property & Regeneration,
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Located at the centre of the South Wales economy on the M4
corridor, Neath Port Talbot has a strong mix of manufacturing
and service sector industries and a share of well-known
international companies.
Manufacturing remains a major strength of the local economy
however, other new sectors are emerging.
Wales’ first biomass renewable energy plant has recently been
constructed while GE Energy has invested £500m in a power
station showcasing the most advanced gas turbine technology.
Multi million pound infrastructure and regeneration projects
are also supporting employment in the construction sector.
The tourism industry provides jobs for than 1000 people,
attracting over 1.3m visitors and contributing over £65m to
the local economy.
The award winning Baglan Energy Park continues to attract
world class companies and once completed, has the capacity
to accommodate up to 3000 jobs.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
‘Location in terms of communication, location in terms of links with the university
and the supply of high quality graduates and location in terms of quality of life.’
Geoff Henderson, Netalogue plc
well connected
Richard Condon,
Managing Director, Netalogue plc
London Heathrow
2 hours 45 minutes
Manchester
3 hours 50 minutes
Cardiff International Airport provides flights to over 50 direct
destinations and more than 400 world wide connecting flights.
Birmingham
2 hours 30 minutes
Bristol
1 hour 10 minutes
Bristol Airport offers direct scheduled services to a range of
international destinations, while London Heathrow Airport is
just over two and half hours drive time away.
Cardiff
50 minutes
Port Talbot Docks has the deepest berthing facilities within
the Severn Estuary able to accommodate vessels of up to
180,000 dwt. The inner dock area also has general cargo
berths for a variety of traffics.
MANCHESTER
S
clients, investors and staff to reach us.’
3 hours 20 minutes
M6
E
the rest of the UK making it extremely easy for
London (Central)
London is just over 3 hours away by train, with hourly day-time
departures.
BIRMINGHAM
L
the M4 and excellent rail links to London and
Journey times from Neath Port Talbot by road:
A
Neath Port Talbot offered perfect road links to
The County is served by excellent road, rail, sea and air services
making it an ideal business location. There are high speed links
by motorway or rail to key locations within the UK and Europe.
M5
M1
M50
W
‘When selecting a location for our Head Office,
Neath
Port Talbot
Bristol Channel
M25
M4
Cardiff
M5
M11
M40
A465
Bristol
LONDON
Heathrow
Gatwick
Calais
English Channel
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
‘The Council’s local sourcing support helped us when we first arrived. We usually land cold and have to
build up local knowledge and contacts ourselves but the support we received helped us hit the ground running.
During the construction stage alone we employed 1,300 workers, 60% coming from the local area.’
Graham Wayte, GE Power Systems
support for business
‘The Council is committed to
encouraging new business development
and creating new quality jobs.
Our business services team works
closely with a range of local businesses
to help them achieve success.’
Gordon Andrews,
Head of Economic Development,
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Neath Port Talbot is already home to a wide range of national
and international companies.
Companies have access to one of the best financial packages
in the UK to help with start-up or expansion costs, a wide range
of office and industrial premises, highly competitive land prices
and a well qualified, flexible workforce. Just some of the
reasons why businesses choose Neath Port Talbot as their
preferred location.
You also will find an excellent business support network
within the area.
Leading the way is the Council’s Business Services team who
provide a range of help and advice to businesses, but most
importantly, the team can help guide you through the support
on offer by other agencies.
So whether you are looking to set up a new business or
expanding, just contact us on [email protected]
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
When completed in 2013, a £70m road improvement project will increase
‘….a flagship project to underpin economic
opportunities for new business, leisure, retail and housing developments
development and investment helping raise
the aspirations for development and
regeneration across Wales.’
Coed Darcy Urban Village
creating the
in both the docklands and town centre areas of Port Talbot.
Neath Port Talbot Waterfront Strategy
right environ ent
Neath Port Talbot has already undergone a dramatic
transformation, with substantial levels of investment from
both the public and private sector.
Large-scale investment in town centre regeneration projects,
transport infrastructure improvements, housing and
apartments, thriving business parks and ambitious
programmes to promote tourism and leisure are also
providing a growing confidence within the area.
One of these schemes is the £1.2bn Coed Darcy Urban Village
which when completed will boast new schools, health and
sports facilities, a community centre and shops as well as
some 4,000 homes.
Other developments include the £80m redevelopment of
Neath Town Centre, and well over £30m of private sector
investment to date spent regenerating Aberavon Seafront.
Together, these developments are providing employment
growth and significant increases in investment.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
In recognition of its significant contribution to the local economy,
Baglan Energy Park was one of only two projects in Wales to win the
British Urban Regeneration Award 2007 for ‘Best Practice in Regeneration’.
the business environ ent
The 180 acre Baglan Energy Park is one of Wales’ premier
business and industrial locations.
Situated on the M4 motorway, the park has already attracted
national and international companies.
General Electric was the first investor at the park, constructing
their global showcase power station, which provides competitively
priced electricity to businesses located on the park.
The development of Baglan Energy Park, one of the largest
single investment site developments in the UK, is key to
the Council’s plans to transform the area, to secure a green
industrial future and create thousands of jobs.
Baglan Energy Park provides the right environment for knowledge
based businesses, and high tech and innovative facilities are
helping secure high quality employment for future generations.
The Solar Centre, originally constructed for the G8 conference in
Birmingham provides a flexible meeting facility for businesses
and visitors to the park. Generating its own electricity the facility
symbolises the ethos of the park.
More than 1,600 people are already working on the park and
once completed, it will have the capacity to accommodate
up to 3,000 jobs.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
‘Technium Sustainable Technologies provides a naturally supportive environment
and access to industry and academic groups within which we can challenge and
develop our ideas and nurture our business’.
David Ryan, Energy & Power
encouraging innovation
From first class facilities that spread best practice and exploit
knowledge transfer, to high quality specialised incubator facilities
that encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship, Neath Port Talbot
is helping to develop an environment where companies are
encouraged to invest in research and development.
Key businesses within high growth sectors such as Aerospace,
Advanced Engineering, Energy, Sustainable and Alternative Fuel
technologies are also benefiting from facilities that promote
innovation:
The Engineering Centre for
Manufacturing and Materials
(ECM2) has supported over
45 companies to research and
• The Engineering Centre for Manufacturing and Materials (ECM2) is
an R&D campus providing access to advanced enginering facilities.
• Technium Sustainable Technologies provides business incubation
facilities to attract young knowledge based technology companies
with high growth potential.
develop advanced engineering
processes.
• Wales’ first Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration
Centre explores the use of hydrogen as a fuel of the future.
• Flagship projects promoting the use of biomass energy and
gas turbine combined-cycle technology.
• Close links with higher and further education institutions
in developing new technologies.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
‘We have been working in this area for a number of years and the big thing I would say about Neath Port Talbot
Council is that they take a very proactive and pragmatic approach to marrying the need for investment with the
Intertissue Sofidel’s move to Baglan was
the single largest investment in
one site in the history of the UK paper
industry. The plant is one of the most
technologically advanced paper
manufacturing sites in the UK.
attracting
requirements of the developers themselves and the ultimate occupiers of the buildings.’
Sean Mayo, Usk Vale Properties
business invest ent
Neath Port Talbot has a strong manufacturing base, almost
twice the UK average, a growing service sector and an
increasingly successful tourism and leisure industry which
are all contributing to an emerging modern economy.
• Affordable housing and close proximity
to Swansea and the Gower Peninsula,
Britain’s first designated Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Businesses locating in the area will find:
• Above national average pass rates at both
A and AS levels (2008).
• A resident population of nearly 1.5 million within
a one hour commute.
• A high quality, flexible workforce with expertise across
a wide range of sectors.
• At 99%, the highest value added GCSE pass
grade figures in Wales.
• Competitively priced buildings and sites, including high
quality business parks.
• Labour costs approximately 8% lower than UK average.
• Access to one of the best financial packages in the UK.
• Successful targeted local recruitment programmes.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
Over 240 executive homes and apartments occupy an enviable position
right on Aberavon seafront providing stunning views over Swansea Bay
‘The Council has demonstrated a great
and the Devon coastline.
understanding of the importance of tourism
to the local economy and is committed to
supporting the growth of tourism in the area.’
Tony McGetrick,
Tourism Swansea Bay
quality oflife
At the end of the working day you can quickly escape from the
hustle and bustle of the working environment and settle down
to enjoy life in one of the many attractive coastal or countryside
locations in and around the County.
Whatever your lifestyle, there is something here for you.
From surfing, rambling or world-class mountain biking,
to leisurely country parks, cascading waterfalls, beautiful gardens
and the valleys and canals of Neath and Swansea.
Aberavon Beach is one of Wales’ longest sandy beaches and one
of only 42 sites in Wales to have been awarded the highly sought
after Blue Flag.
Music, Theatre and the Arts are also alive and well and the County
is host to a full calendar of concerts, festivals and sporting events
throughout the year.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
Port Talbot Docks is ripe for regeneration and the provision of homes,
offices and light industry will provide a tremendous boost for the town.
Gareth Nutt, Head of Property and Regeneration,
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
our waterfront strategy
The waterfront area includes major regeneration
sites that have great potential for driving forward
the vision and objectives of the area. As well as
creating employment, and bringing brownfield
land into productive use, sites will be used to
create a modern, sustainable and innovative
urban environment.
Neath Port Talbot Waterfront
Regeneration Strategy
The physical and economic regeneration of large parts of
Port Talbot town centre and its docklands over the next
20 years will play a pivotal role in attracting new investment,
and improving the environment of the waterfront area.
A master plan provides for a whole new range of exciting
development opportunities including:
• Physical regeneration of Port Talbot Town Centre as a hub for
commercial, residential, social and employment opportunities.
• Development of industrial, tourism and leisure sites along
the waterfront corridor to attract investment, visitors and
new employment opportunities.
• Provision of sites adjoining the docks and river corridor for
housing development.
• Improvements in public transport infrastructure to maximise
the potential of Neath Port Talbot’s waterfront area.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
Afan Forest Park is home to four world class trails, over 100 km of track
and was voted one of the world’s ten best places to ride ‘before you die’.
regenerating our valleys
‘We have worked with the Council and the local
community for a number of years to develop
Afan Forest Park into a world class mountain
biking destination. Since 2002 the number of
quality graded accommodation has increased
tenfold demonstrating confidence in the
tourism market.
We are excited about the Council’s plans to
mirror this approach to tourism development
across other valleys in the County Borough.’
Dai Jones, Forestry District Manager,
Forestry Commission
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Our valley areas offer a diverse mix of communities with a wealth
of opportunities for investment. Their long standing industrial
heritage provides a rich backdrop to current regeneration
initiatives that are injecting new life into towns and villages,
originally built upon the wealth of the mining industries.
The valleys are being recognised for their growth potential and
the Council’s Western Valleys Strategy demonstrates a genuine
commitment to shape a new ‘Positive Future’.
Tourism continues to be a major development focus, with the
world renowned mountain bike trails of Afan Forest Park, award
winning accommodation, restoration of canals and other
developments including proposals for a new equestrian centre
in the Swansea Valley.
The aspirations and character that once saw the Western Valleys
termed ‘the power house of Britain’ have been reborn and we are
ready to compete in the modern business world.
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IN BUSINESS NEATH PORT TALBOT
‘Swansea University’s proposed ‘Innovation Campus’
‘We are delighted to have been chosen as
will provide an intensive, open innovation
the development partner for Neath town
environment by intermingling Industrial R&D,
centre. We understand how important
Academic Research, Postgraduate and
this project is to the future of Neath and
look forward to working with both the
Council and the local community.’
Simons Developments
looking ahead
With significant investment planned to help further shape
the County over the next few years and beyond, the face of
Neath Port Talbot and its surrounding area is set to change,
creating a better environment for people to live, work and visit.
Projects planned include:
Undergraduate students in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics. This is a groundbreaking vision bringing together economic,
educational and community growth and
regeneration within a single integrated campus
delivering significant knowledge economy clusters
and objectives’.
Professor Richard B Davies,
Vice Chancellor of Swansea University
• £80m regeneration of 1,000 acres in and around Neath
town centre.
• £1.2bn Coed Darcy Urban Village development of 4000 homes,
together with shops, schools and other community features to
be built over the next 20 years.
• £70m new road system that will open up land and site
development opportunities in the docklands area of Port Talbot.
• Swansea University’s new £15m ‘Innovation Campus’
specialising in engineering and computer sciences.
• Investment proposals to enhance commercial, cultural and
employment opportunities in both Port Talbot and Pontardawe
town centres are also well underway.
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... from adrenaline-fuelled
bike trails to serene
countryside walks, visit
Neath Port Talbot for a
taste of the great outdoors.
Do you want to set up a new business
or develop your existing business in
Neath Port Talbot?
For further information contact the
Business Services Team
on 01639 686835 or email
[email protected]
discover
Neath Port Talbot
...it’s time to
Contact the Tourist Information Centre
today on 01639 636674 or visit
www.visitnpt.co.uk
www.npt-business.co.uk
Yn cefnogi cwmnïau technoleg â
photensial mawr i dyfu, gan gynnwys:
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Swyddfeydd hyblyg
Cymorth technegol a chymorth busnes wedi’u neilltuo
Cyfleusterau cynadledda, ystafelloedd cyfarfod
a gwasanaethau derbynfa
Cysylltiadau ag arbenigedd academaidd
Cymorth i ddod o hyd i arian
Cyfleoedd i rwydweithio gyda chwmnïau tebyg
Supporting technology companies
with high growth potential including:
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Ffôn/Tel: 01792 485713
Ebost/Email: [email protected]
www.technium.co.uk/sustainabletechnologies
Flexible office accommodation
Dedicated technical and business support
Conference facilities, meeting rooms and reception services
Links to academic expertise
Support in accessing funding
Networking opportunities with like-minded companies