About Us

NEPA was set up in 2001 to help improve the productivity and competitiveness of North East England manufacturing by providing coherent and effective support.

Manufacturing is the cornerstone of North East England's economy, employing 169,000 people, contributing 25% of GDP and producing £2.6bn in wages every year.

Our aim is to make North East England not just one of the most productive manufacturing regions in the UK, but an exemplar region from which other areas of the UK can learn and benefit.

To meet these goals NEPA focuses on three key areas - people and skills, new technologies and developing best practice.

Being regionally-focused and industry-led we develop a practical approach to achieve long-term growth by improving productivity and maximising return on public and private investment.

We provide a number of practical interventions that improve productivity performance.  Deliver training to develop a workforce competent in the relevant tools and techniques.

To provide impact-driven structured support, NEPA has established four different programmes: NEPA Best Practice, NEPA Workforce Development, NEPA Digital Factory and NEPA Engineering Fellows.

In 2005/06, the four programmes have:

• Brought £millions in productivity savings to companies
• Helped over 150 companies
• Delivered 7,400 productivity courses
• Delivered 260 smaller 15 day interventions at companies
• Put 200 middle managers through leadership courses