A specialist chemicals sector workforce Amongst the UK’s major chemicals cluster locations, Wilton International ranks 1st (jointly) for access to primary chemicals manufacturing workers. A highly skilled scientific R&D workforce Wilton International also ranks No.1 - by a significant margin - for access to a large-scale scientific R&D workforce, making it the UK location of choice for process industry investments with significant R&D elements. Combining skills with cost savings Wilton International combines a skilled chemicals, process industries and R&D workforce with significant average labour costs savings versus competitor UK locations and the Great Britain average.

As one of the UK’s major centres of heavy industry, Teesside is often described in terms of big numbers, and that applies to the area’s labour force as well as its production capabilities. With a sector workforce concentration of 11 X the Great Britain average, it is, based on this recognised indicator, the UK’s outstanding cluster of primary chemicals manufacturing businesses. Perhaps more surprisingly, at least to those not in the know, the area is also home to around 3,000 scientific R&D workers, making it a clear leader for research and development activities amongst the UK’s process industry hubs.

As one of the largest and most important industrial sites in the country, Wilton International is home to several operations that the government regards as essential. Many of their products and services are fundamental to modern life, including the key tasks of providing our health service with vital equipment and powering our homes and workplaces. These businesses are continuing to run through the crisis, with dedicated plant operators, maintenance teams and other personnel working as normal, while complying with new social distancing and hygiene rules.