News Article

Leipzig-based IT Campus and Tribe Technologies, of Frankfurt, have formed an as yet unnamed joint venture company looking to provide IT solutions for the UK call centre industry.

The companies seized the opportunity to become the European Business Centre’s first occupants after a trade mission to the North East introduced IT Campus to telecoms and call centre contacts.

They have moved quickly to take advantage of the temporary office facilities in the European Business Centre, housed in the Fabriam Centre, which is part of Atmel’s North Tyneside building. Several staff will operate out of their new base to assess the potential of the North East and UK markets.

The use of telephone, broadband and administrative services and no rental fee will be backed up by the expert help of German-born Manuela Wendler, who will help smooth the path for European companies to make key business contacts, further development opportunities and arrange regional accommodation for staff.

The centre acts as a stepping stone for European firms looking to expand into the UK while they seek a permanent base, ideally in the region.

Manuela Wendler, European Business Centre manager, said: “The businesses we are looking to attract here are often smaller companies, so the offer of a low risk investment solution initially is a very attractive proposition.”

The centre was officially opened last week by Herr Ingo Radcke, the German Consul General for Northern England and Scotland, at a ceremony attended by local dignitaries and organisations, including regional businesses, universities and centres of excellence.

Although its services are initially being pitched to German firms, it is hoped to expand its remit across mainland Europe, particularly to entice knowledge-based companies to the region.

One North East and Tyne and Wear Development Company have jointly funded the European Business Centre.

The North East has traditionally strong ties with Germany, playing host to more than 50 German firms with 8,500 German nationals living in the region.

These companies include well-known names such as BASF (chemicals), Degussa (pharmaceuticals), Draeger (breathing and gas detection apparatus), Siemens (business services, energy and power generation), Thyssen Krupp (stairlifts, elevators) and Twenty4Help (contact centres).

David Allison, One North East Director of Business and Industry, said: “There are over 250 European companies with a base in North East England and we are keen to grow that number.

“The European Business Centre offers firms a soft landing into the North East and we are working hard to ensure that we build on these contacts to secure new jobs and prosperity for our region.”

One North East will use German-based business development professional Wibke Baumann to seek out potential companies across Germany looking to invest in the UK, using the wide network of contacts she built up during the three years she lived and worked in the North East to help this process.

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For further information please contact:
Gordon Arnott, Senior Press Officer, One North East.
Tel:(0191) 229 6309   Fax:(0191) 229 6234 Mobile: 07713 317883
e-mail: gordon.arnott@onenortheast.co.uk