HISTORY

Launched in 1989, RTC North was one of the 12 Regional Technology Centres established around the country to help manufacturers develop new products and services. RTC has grown steadily into its current position as a trusted and long-established business support organisation on a regional, national, and international level.

Our Timeline.

 

2021.

New contract awarded:
Primary Careers Education Pilot

2020

2020.

The world went into lock down

New contract awarded:
Innovate UK Edge and STEM

 
2019

2019.

RTC North's 30 Year Anniversary

New contract awarded:
Supply Chain North East, North East Ambition programme and High Performance for Be The Business

2018

2018.

New contract awarded:
Pathways to Innovation, Scale Up North East and Bring it On!

 

2017.

New contract awarded:
Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service framework provider

2016

2016.

RTC North relocates Sunderland Headoffice to larger premises, Loftus House

New contract awarded:
Designing Better Business and Innovate2Suceed

2015

2015.

RTC North office opened in North West, Daresbury. NEAA co-locates with RTC North

New contract awarded:
Enterprise Europe Network, RTC North is the lead partner for the North of England & the North West, Yorkshire and Humber and the North East

 
2014

2014.

RTC North 25th Anniversary. Lord Kenneth Baker revisits RTC North after launching regional technology centres in 1989

2013.

New contract awarded:
Academic Health Science Network – RTC North responsible for wealth creation

 
2012

2012.

RTC North office opened in Northern Design Centre, Gateshead

New contract awarded:
UKTI International Trade Advisory Service (with NEPIC and NECC), Growth Accelerator delivery contract for North East England

2011

2011.

New contract awarded:
Innovation Pathway ERDF Programme launched, Design Means Business Conference

 

2009.

RTC North 20th Anniversary, fundraising in aid of Welbodi Partnership

 
2008

2008.

New contract awarded:
Design Network North and STEM

Legal entities formed in Yorkshire and the North West to ensure a more regionally focused offering

2007.

New contract awarded:
Enterprise Europe Network in Yorkshire

RTC North office opened in Yorkshire, Leeds

2007
 

2006.

New contract awarded:
to deliver the EU R&D; Support Programme in Yorkshire

2004

2004.

RTC North office opened in Knowsley by Erkki Liikanen

New contract awarded:
Contract to manage the incubator at NetPark, Sedgefield County Durham

2003

2003.

Launch of Bright Ideas in Health Awards, North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) co-locates with RTC North

New contract awarded:
To assist companies accessing EC

 
2002

2002.

New contract awarded:
Manufacturing Advisory Service

2001.

New contract awarded:
NHS Innovations North, Foresight North East project launched

2001
 

1999.

RTC North's 10th Anniversary

 

1998.

Improved links with universities leads to stronger focus on R&D; exploitation

1996

1996.

RTC North move to bigger premises on Hylton Park, opened by Ian Gibson, CBE, Nissan Managing Director

Increased regional funding received for technology transfer

 
 

1995.

Universities for the North East co-locates with RTC North

1993.

European Commission contracts create major new European opportunities

1993
 

1991.

New contract awarded:
Technical Support contract

1989

1989.

RTC North becomes a company and moves to small offices in Sunderland

1987

1987.

A project is founded at Newcastle University as part of a public network of 12 regional technology centres