DOUBLE AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE BUSINESS
From its base in North Shields, Monitor Coatings has been providing engineering service since 1927. Recognised for the company’s commitment to the local area and for driving innovation, Monitor Coating’s Managing Director, Rebecca Allcock, explains more about the company and its awards.
Tell us a little more about Monitor Coatings
Monitor Coatings employs 62 people at our North Shields facility and are known as technology leaders for surface engineering in extreme environments. By developing ultra-dense, high wear-resistant coatings based on a novel thermal spray and densification process, we have earned our market position serving customers in the oil and gas, steel, marine and defence, power and aerospace industries. We became part of the Castolin Eutectic Group in April 2013.
How did you come to be nominated for the Digital and Innovation Award?
As a company, we made the decision to enter ourselves into the North Tyneside Business Awards under the Digital and Innovation category. Because we are proud of our achievements and drive for innovation we thought it might present a good opportunity to showcase what we bring to the North East and reignite the proud heritage that North Shields has in ship building. We were unaware however, that we’d been nominated for the Business of the Year Award too.
We couldn’t believe that we were walking away with both awards following the awards evening at Spanish City. It was a fabulous surprise and a massive achievement for the Monitor Coatings team.
What does winning the Award mean to your business?
Gaining recognition for the company’s success is a testament to the talent, hard work and dedication of the Monitor Coatings team. It also demonstrates our significant presence in the region. We’re proud to be a North East born and bred business, proud of our history and heritage. The company continues to invest in attracting, retaining and recruiting local talent from the North East, with homed time served ship building skills which were key to the early development of the Carrier Deck coating system; indeed, the initial and ongoing quality assurance quality control still remains the duty of an ex-Swan Hunter Apprentice.
What are you plans for the business?
Our three-year business model focuses on large enterprises that operate globally and the challenges they face. There’s also a demand to move more complex products to market, faster, while maintaining the highest quality standards. The key to success is producing better products faster and more efficiently the first time around.
We’ve implemented several automation schemes allowing control over a multitude of complex, precision processes. The industry is faced with ever-changing requirements and our vision is to remain at the forefront of new materials’ development providing significant contribution to future UK Government Strategies.
What’s the best thing about running a business in North Tyneside?
The best thing about North Tyneside for businesses is the sense of community and support received from other local businesses, not to mention the recognition received for their contribution to the borough. North Tyneside is home to a variety of inspiring businesses encouraging local employment, economic growth and sustainability.
