• Thu. Jun 26th, 2025

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

Regions first commercial testing kit for COVID-19 enables business continuity and supports key workers

Gateshead-based Recovery4Life (R4L) are offering a commercial testing kit that identifies the COVID-19 variant strain and differentiates nine other related viruses, including SARS.

Specialising in physical and mental health services, and experts in testing and providing treatments, R4L are offering a testing kit to regional businesses to support business continuity in what we know are difficult times. Employees exhibiting flu-like symptoms or returning from a period of self-isolation, can use the test to rule out Covid-19 or any of the other nine viruses.

R4L is also establishing a Community 20-20 Fund to support essential key workers in the region. This fund will donate additional tests to key workers – health care professionals, domiciliary care workers, food bank staff, and home help – who otherwise may not be tested.

John Devitt, CEO Recovery4life, said: “These are challenging times for individuals and businesses. Our aim is to provide a degree of certainty so that people and businesses in the North East can enjoy good health and business continuity, as far as is practically possible.”

“R4L wishes to support those most vulnerable during this difficult time and therefore £40 from the sale of every test will go straight into the 20-20 Fund to. We ask our neighbouring businesses to consider supporting this cause.”

The tests are provided by an established and reputable diagnostic company recognised by the Department of Health. The tests themselves are designed for commercial use only so differ to the tests required for the NHS.

Sunderland based New Results, specialists in face-to-face and online training for LinkedIn, sales and coaching, are the first business in the region to support the 20-20 Fund.

Mike Lever, director at New Results, explained: “We’re already seeing new pressures on businesses and individuals and for many this has required a significant shift in how they operate. With the postponement of traditional networking events and an increase in remote working, we’ve seen increased activity on the business networking site LinkedIn.

“For individuals remote working and looking for CPD opportunities, or businesses looking ahead, our LinkedIn for Professionals online course explores new techniques, whereby you’ll gain new skills, a new mindset and most importantly new results.

“To support the community fund, for each purchase of our online LinkedIn course, we will be donating £20 to the 20-20 Fund. A worthy cause we are proud to support.”

John finished: “This is the time for the business community to come together, protect the economy and support the people and communities that we serve. If testing is not required, then we would be pleased to accept contributions to the 20-20 Fund via testing@recovery4life.co.uk. We’re in this together.”

Businesses have two options when buying a test: they can purchase a test for £220 (plus VAT) or buy a test at a reduced rate of £200 (plus VAT) and sponsor a test at £200 (plus VAT). This sponsored test is donated to the 20-20 fund.

So far, R4L have raised £4,500 to buy 1000 packs of hand sanitisers, 50 facemasks, toilet rolls for a foodbank and cash for front-line essential staff working with vulnerable people.

For further information about the testing kits, or the 20-20 Fund, please call 03333 448 288, email testing@recovery4life.co.uk or visit www.recovery4life.co.uk

If you are working from home and would like to undertake LinkedIn training to enhance your CPD and business opportunities, please visit www.onlinelearning.newresults.co.uk

BYD announces voestalpine as major supplier to its first European car factoryAustrian company will produce steel for plant in Szeged, Hungary Facility will be ready to start manufacturing vehicles by end of 2025 Regional supply base key to policy of localised production New V2H pilot project also confirmed for Austria BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles, is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with voestalpine, a globally leading steel and technology group, to supply its new passenger-car factory in Hungary. Confirmed by BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li in Vienna, alongside voestalpine CEO Herbert Eibensteiner, the agreement covers sheet steel, and makes voestalpine one of the first confirmed supply partners for the Szeged facility. The company was chosen by BYD because of its geographical proximity to the factory in Hungary, and the high quality and excellent reputation of Austrian steel. The agreement marks a significant step in BYD’s localisation policy, as the brand continues to expand its operations across Europe. BYD will be on sale in 29 European countries by the end of 2025, and its sales network will comprise more than 1000 retail stores. In addition, BYD recently committed to a new European headquarters in Budapest, along with its first bespoke European R&D centre, also in Hungary. The announcement of voestalpine as a supplier demonstrates how BYD is committed to sourcing high-quality, competitive local suppliers to support its stated goal of producing cars in Europe, for Europe. It continues to meet with hundreds of potential suppliers in key markets as it ramps up preparations for the start of European production. BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li commented: “BYD has always been clear that we have come to Europe to stay in Europe – and to produce here. Our commitment to the European market is strong and as we’re showing here, it goes far beyond pure car sales. We’re applying a long-term vision here, with the goal of being seen by consumers, within the next five years, as a European manufacturer. Our factory in Hungary is at the heart of this process, of course, so every local supplier we announce is another significant step. I’m delighted that we will be working with voestalpine, a company that has a long history of innovation and a commitment to decarbonisation and sustainable CO2 reduction.” Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO voestalpine, said: “With its high-quality steel products, voestalpine is an important partner for the global automotive industry. We offer renowned automotive manufacturers and suppliers reliable and sustainable solutions, thanks to our unique combination of technology and materials expertise. Our products can be found in almost all automotive assemblies – from the body and powertrain to safety-critical components. Starting this fall, we will be supplying BYD – a Chinese technology company that manufactures in Europe – from our location in Linz. We are confident that this initial order for the production of high-quality flat steel for car bodies and outer panels will lay the foundation for a long-term partnership.” BYD has been enjoying strong progress in Austria, becoming the number one brand with private BEV buyers (and enjoying a 15% share of that market). Its overall market share in the country now sits at 2.5%. To further support this success, BYD has also announced that Austria will become the European Union pilot market for the implementation of V2H (Vehicle to Home) technology in its vehicles. Austria has been chosen for this project, which will be managed in conjunction with a local partner, because of the country’s high penetration of solar energy (more than half of all Austrian households are supplied with solar-panel energy). Customer demand is also strong, with BYD dealerships reporting that half of customers are already asking when V2H will become available, to help them maximise the efficiency of solar and reduce their energy costs. More specific details of the project, including a timeline, will be announced shortly.
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BYD announces voestalpine as major supplier to its first European car factoryAustrian company will produce steel for plant in Szeged, Hungary Facility will be ready to start manufacturing vehicles by end of 2025 Regional supply base key to policy of localised production New V2H pilot project also confirmed for Austria BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles, is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with voestalpine, a globally leading steel and technology group, to supply its new passenger-car factory in Hungary. Confirmed by BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li in Vienna, alongside voestalpine CEO Herbert Eibensteiner, the agreement covers sheet steel, and makes voestalpine one of the first confirmed supply partners for the Szeged facility. The company was chosen by BYD because of its geographical proximity to the factory in Hungary, and the high quality and excellent reputation of Austrian steel. The agreement marks a significant step in BYD’s localisation policy, as the brand continues to expand its operations across Europe. BYD will be on sale in 29 European countries by the end of 2025, and its sales network will comprise more than 1000 retail stores. In addition, BYD recently committed to a new European headquarters in Budapest, along with its first bespoke European R&D centre, also in Hungary. The announcement of voestalpine as a supplier demonstrates how BYD is committed to sourcing high-quality, competitive local suppliers to support its stated goal of producing cars in Europe, for Europe. It continues to meet with hundreds of potential suppliers in key markets as it ramps up preparations for the start of European production. BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li commented: “BYD has always been clear that we have come to Europe to stay in Europe – and to produce here. Our commitment to the European market is strong and as we’re showing here, it goes far beyond pure car sales. We’re applying a long-term vision here, with the goal of being seen by consumers, within the next five years, as a European manufacturer. Our factory in Hungary is at the heart of this process, of course, so every local supplier we announce is another significant step. I’m delighted that we will be working with voestalpine, a company that has a long history of innovation and a commitment to decarbonisation and sustainable CO2 reduction.” Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO voestalpine, said: “With its high-quality steel products, voestalpine is an important partner for the global automotive industry. We offer renowned automotive manufacturers and suppliers reliable and sustainable solutions, thanks to our unique combination of technology and materials expertise. Our products can be found in almost all automotive assemblies – from the body and powertrain to safety-critical components. Starting this fall, we will be supplying BYD – a Chinese technology company that manufactures in Europe – from our location in Linz. We are confident that this initial order for the production of high-quality flat steel for car bodies and outer panels will lay the foundation for a long-term partnership.” BYD has been enjoying strong progress in Austria, becoming the number one brand with private BEV buyers (and enjoying a 15% share of that market). Its overall market share in the country now sits at 2.5%. To further support this success, BYD has also announced that Austria will become the European Union pilot market for the implementation of V2H (Vehicle to Home) technology in its vehicles. Austria has been chosen for this project, which will be managed in conjunction with a local partner, because of the country’s high penetration of solar energy (more than half of all Austrian households are supplied with solar-panel energy). Customer demand is also strong, with BYD dealerships reporting that half of customers are already asking when V2H will become available, to help them maximise the efficiency of solar and reduce their energy costs. More specific details of the project, including a timeline, will be announced shortly.