On track for change

Taking the train to work is not part of the North-east culture.

In Glasgow, for example, only 5% of the passengers arriving at Queen Street and Central rail stations have travelled more that 100km - in Aberdeen it is 50%.

However the evidence is clear that commuters are prepared to change if the proper opportunities are presented.

The reopening of Laurencekirk Station and timetable enhancements between Aberdeen and Inverurie havedemonstrated that literally thousands of people are keen to leave their cars behind in favour of the train.

Now pressure is growing for a new station at Kintore which, lost its previous one in 1966 as a result of the Beeching cuts.

It is estimated Kintore would attract double the number of passengers as have flocked to the overwhelmingly successful Laurencekirk Station which reopened in May last year.

Chamber to the rescue for ThinJack

Westhill-based business gets Angolan contract at the last moment

ThinJack is a North Sea success story based on knowledge, technical innovation and determination.

driving out congestion

The Chamber is launching its transport campaign this month. As a member of the steering group driving the campaign, Eddie Anderson outlines some of the issues affecting the freight industry and their impact on the region.

Igniting a Spark in the Market

The drive is on to find an alternative to fossil fuel to power the 31 million vehicles on Britain’s roads including 2.6 million in Scotland - one car for every two people. Electric cars could provide the solution and North-east academics are playing a key role in helping identify what motorists will expect from them.

Winds of Change

Scotland, and the North-east in particular, is in pole position to capitalise on the massive investment in the development of offshore wind over the next decade.

Sea Change for Success

It is now 874 years since King David 1st of Scotland granted Aberdeen a royal charter which enabled it to trade internationally – including to England – and the city became an important port.

Setting New Goals

Vision, drive and commitment have been key in “local loon” Stewart Milne building one of the UK’s most successful businesses from the North-east of Scotland.

Now he, with several other top entrepreneurs from the area, is using his business acumen and skill to try to secure a prosperous future for the area in which he has created wealth and employment.

Flexing their Muscles

It was a quiet drink in an Aberdeen pub three years ago which led to a chance meeting and the formation of one of Scotland’s most successful young companies.

Stuart Mitchell and John Mardsen had been discussing the idea of giving up the security of jobs as well paid engineering consultants when they bumped into former colleague Carl-Petter Halvorsen and over a pint Flexlife was born.