NEW FUTURE AT THE FABRIAM CENTRE FOR EX MICROCHIP STAFF
8 July 2008
The former office building of microchip manufacturers Siemens and Atmel continues to provide employment for a highly skilled workforce in the North East.
The Fabriam Centre, which currently has around 30 business tenants, has helped retain technology skills in the region. Three businesses set up by former Siemens employees are based at the Fabriam Centre and other tenants have recruited former Atmel staff, who were made redundant earlier this year.
John Williams, general manager of Fabriam Places, said: "The Fabriam Centre was born out of the desire to create world class facilities for technology businesses. Prestigious office premises with modern ICT infrastructure, meeting and conference facilities are generally not available or affordable for smaller or start-up companies. This environment helps our tenants portray a highly professional image to attract business from major companies worldwide.
Tim Matsell, Simon Noakes and Paul Richardson work for Ascari, which capitalises on the team's semiconductor experience to create easy to use software that increases efficiencies in manufacturing businesses. Their specialist skills gained in the region are now in high demand with pharmaceutical, automotive and solar panel manufacturers throughout Europe as they help improve efficiencies and reduce costs.
Entrepreneur David Lavery chose the Fabriam Centre for his recent business expansion. Responsible for SAP Financials at Siemens and Atmel, David established Smartworks IT in 1998. The company provides software solutions, development and consultancy services, with particular success in systems integration products tailored for the health sector.
Bill Gibb, who until recently was responsible for HR and business development at Atmel, found a new challenge with another expanding organisation based at the Fabriam Centre. He joined leading consultancy Northern Education as business development consultant. With a team of experienced and passionate education professionals, Northern Education works with local authorities, colleges and head teachers to improve education for young people.
Bill's colleague Karen McMullen also found employment with another education provider based at the Fabriam Centre. After five years with Atmel as dayshift trainer, Karen joined Dynamic Distance Learning as company PA. She will use her IT and training expertise for the e-learning company, that develops innovative tools and highly interactive educational content tailored to the needs of schools, colleges and industry worldwide.
Former Atmel systems analyst and production planner Karen Gibb on the other hand had a complete career change. She joined German owned itCampus as office manager at their UK and international head office in the Fabriam Centre. Karen supports the international sales activities of the company's award winning software and hardware solutions for the contact centre industry.
Initially working for the Siemens architecture team, Lexica Communications founder Manuela Wendler has worked on and off in the office building since its opening in 1996. Three years after leaving Siemens, she set up her own business development & marketing consultancy and has now a small base in the Fabriam Centre, delivering services to clients in the UK and Germany.
The Fabriam Centre is located in the Cobalt Business Exchange, nowadays part of the UK's largest business park. Other companies located nearby include Procter & Gamble, GE Capital, Orange, EDS and Newcastle Building Society.