Fun day for company workers

On Saturday, the Simpson Group will play host to a day of activities for employees, including a funfair, climbing wall, go karting track and bar at its Influence Park.

The company produce point of sale promotional materials and on Saturday its workforce will take along family and friends for the activities event.

Influence Park has been the company’s home since 2006 and is the only simulated shopping centre in Europe, with offices branded as the company’s customers – including The Works, Thomson, Next and Betfred.

The fun day has been co-ordinated by the works council and organised in association with Signature One Events and The Great North Air Ambulance.

Simpson Group has supported The Great North Air Ambulance since 2013 following the loss of their colleague, Graham, who was riding his bike and was involved in a road accident on the A68. He had worked at the company since 1982 as a designer.

Members of the Simpson Group team will also be taking part in the Great North Run to raise funds for The Great North Air Ambulance.

Simpson Group have so far raised £7k in 2016 for charities including the Alzheimer’s Society and The Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Bill McNally, managing director, said: “The family fun day is a great way to bring all our employees together, reward them for all their hard work and celebrate what we’ve achieved at this site over the last 10 years.

“Print is a dynamic industry and our Influence Mall certainly reflects that and makes a bold statement about who we are as a business.

“Still to this day customers and suppliers are blown away when they walk through the door for the first time and often can’t believe somewhere like this is right on their doorstep.”

Simpson Group delivers to over 14,000 retail outlets every quarter across the UK.

Since arriving at Influence Park in 2016, the group’s turnover has increased by 100% every year, with staff growth of 30%.

The company currently employs 117 people on Wearside, and was last month awarded the coveted Silver Investors in People (IIP) prize.

Speaking at the time, Steve Burrows, Managing Director of Investors in People North of England, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Simpson Group and I would like to congratulate all of the team.

“We believe people make the difference and by investing in them you are looking to create sustainable success.”