Enterprising Environment
North Devon is probably best known for it"s renowned scenic beauty, whether it is the 50 miles of Heritage Coastline or the beautiful countryside, rivers and moors further inland. It is less well recognised as the location where products such as chipboard, Dartington Crystal, fire engines, electronic switch gear, pharmaceuticals, cotton wool and ships are manufactured or built.
Many multi-national companies discovered the advantages of North Devon during the Seventies and early Eighties, attracted by Government financial help under the Assisted Area Status designation. Now, again, much of North Devon has this government assistance for new and existing businesses engaged in manufacturing. The area stands ready to welcome newcomers with a range of greenfield and serviced sites, together with a choice of new and used built units and factories. Companies of around 200-300 employees have been particularly successful, whilst the area is also home to a few larger companies ad a host of smaller businesses. In this latter group many successful highly specialised businesses, engaged in such diverse activities as formula one motor racing, wedding dresses and special stage lighting effects, have found North Devon to be ideal for them .
Many companies find that they can source a great deal of their bought out items and services from other local businesses. This has given the area a measure of self sufficiency, as well as producing a well integrated business community.
Whilst major industrial and retail development has been focused upon the regional centre of Barnstaple, both Councils are providing serviced sites and built units in Barnstaple, Bideford, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe and South Molton.
All major settlements have centres of industrial activity, most with expansion potential and a number with serviced sites. English Partnerships and the Rural Development Commission have provided workshop units in many smaller communities. Bideford remains a working port and nearby Appledore, with its centuries long shipbuilding tradition, the shipyard boasts the largest covered dry dock in Europe. In contrast, Bideford is also the location of the UK"s principle manufacturer of domestic size snooker and pool tables. Torrington is home to the renowned Dartington Crystal, so well loved at home and abroad, especially in North America.
Agriculture is the traditional industry of North Devon and the progressive changes and difficulties which have beset the farming communities are well known to most. Holsworthy and South Molton are ancient agricultural centres, still having weekly cattle markets. However, here too, machine tool, chipboard and aerospace companies are now to be found.
The industrial base of North Devon is broad, as are the range of skills of an acknowledged loyal workforce.
Tourism has become a major contributor to the local economy and a profile of North Devon countryside is shown later. The natural beauty of North Devon has proved a powerful magnet for businesses whose location is less significant to their success.
Recent initiatives utilising public, private and EU funding, and benefiting the local business community cover a broad range of industrial sectors. Two examples of these initiatives are:
The North Devon Marketing Bureau - with a budget of over £1m to promote and advertise the area as well as a Business Support Programme to assist in the development of the tourism product across the industry.
Electro-Magnetic Compatibility Centre - providing an integrated approach to compliance by full R & D, testing and training facilities for local electronics manufacturers.
This is not a slow and sleepy backwater but an outstanding natural environment where the potential for industrial success has been proved by many and where, on inspection, communication will be seen to be far more convenient than might have been imagined. Recent developments in electronic communications have further reduced considerations of the periphery.
Come and see for yourself.
North Devon is probably best known for it"s renowned scenic beauty, whether it is the 50 miles of Heritage Coastline or the beautiful countryside, rivers and moors further inland. It is less well recognised as the location where products such as chipboard, Dartington Crystal, fire engines, electronic switch gear, pharmaceuticals, cotton wool and ships are manufactured or built.
Many multi-national companies discovered the advantages of North Devon during the Seventies and early Eighties, attracted by Government financial help under the Assisted Area Status designation. Now, again, much of North Devon has this government assistance for new and existing businesses engaged in manufacturing. The area stands ready to welcome newcomers with a range of greenfield and serviced sites, together with a choice of new and used built units and factories. Companies of around 200-300 employees have been particularly successful, whilst the area is also home to a few larger companies ad a host of smaller businesses. In this latter group many successful highly specialised businesses, engaged in such diverse activities as formula one motor racing, wedding dresses and special stage lighting effects, have found North Devon to be ideal for them .
Many companies find that they can source a great deal of their bought out items and services from other local businesses. This has given the area a measure of self sufficiency, as well as producing a well integrated business community.
Whilst major industrial and retail development has been focused upon the regional centre of Barnstaple, both Councils are providing serviced sites and built units in Barnstaple, Bideford, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe and South Molton.
All major settlements have centres of industrial activity, most with expansion potential and a number with serviced sites. English Partnerships and the Rural Development Commission have provided workshop units in many smaller communities. Bideford remains a working port and nearby Appledore, with its centuries long shipbuilding tradition, the shipyard boasts the largest covered dry dock in Europe. In contrast, Bideford is also the location of the UK"s principle manufacturer of domestic size snooker and pool tables. Torrington is home to the renowned Dartington Crystal, so well loved at home and abroad, especially in North America.
Agriculture is the traditional industry of North Devon and the progressive changes and difficulties which have beset the farming communities are well known to most. Holsworthy and South Molton are ancient agricultural centres, still having weekly cattle markets. However, here too, machine tool, chipboard and aerospace companies are now to be found.
The industrial base of North Devon is broad, as are the range of skills of an acknowledged loyal workforce.
Tourism has become a major contributor to the local economy and a profile of North Devon countryside is shown later. The natural beauty of North Devon has proved a powerful magnet for businesses whose location is less significant to their success.
Recent initiatives utilising public, private and EU funding, and benefiting the local business community cover a broad range of industrial sectors. Two examples of these initiatives are:
The North Devon Marketing Bureau - with a budget of over £1m to promote and advertise the area as well as a Business Support Programme to assist in the development of the tourism product across the industry.
Electro-Magnetic Compatibility Centre - providing an integrated approach to compliance by full R & D, testing and training facilities for local electronics manufacturers.
This is not a slow and sleepy backwater but an outstanding natural environment where the potential for industrial success has been proved by many and where, on inspection, communication will be seen to be far more convenient than might have been imagined. Recent developments in electronic communications have further reduced considerations of the periphery.
Come and see for yourself.
