Teesside University is to work with Stockton-based car parts manufacturer Nifco UK on skills, innovation and R&D projects. The latter’s managing director, Mike Matthews (pictured left with Teesside’s Professor Graham Henderson) recently visited the university to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with vice-chancellor Graham

Henderson. He said: “Our ambition as a company is quite simple: to be world-class at everything we do. Very often, the thing that bridges the gap between where we are now and where we want to be is education.

“Working with Teesside University will strengthen the depth of education and innovation in our business, and we will be able to use that relationship to attract world-class talent. It is important to us that we find as many solutions as possible to build the most highly skilled, capable team we possibly can.

“Through a combination of the MoU with our local university and investing in training, we are ensuring that we have the skills base to continue to grow, year by year. Talented, committed people are what power this company, and we believe that helping them grow is the key to unlocking the potential in Nifco UK.”

Professor Henderson said: “Nifco is a great asset to the Tees Valley and the North East, and we’re delighted to be working with the company. The way in which it has invested in skills, innovation and R&D is to be admired.”