Despite difficult trading conditions the business invested in its core engineering and manufacturing capabilities

Northumberland robotics manufacturer Tharsus has continued to invest despite seeing revenue and profits fall in testing times.

Tharsus Group – the holding company of a group of engineering-led businesses including Tharsus and Universal Wolf – manufactures its products from three Blyth factories, employing more than 200 staff. While Tharsus provides a full product design, manufacture and aftermarket service to customers developing advanced machines and automation systems, Universal Wolf is a specialist provider of complex metal fabrication and engineered assemblies.

Tharsus also develops logistics automation products under its VersaTile platform. The business – a former Company of the Year at the North East Business Awards – worked with online grocer Ocado on its warehouse automation project for 10 years, during which time it manufactured thousands of robots to pick groceries for delivery. That contract came to an end in its 2023 financial year.

The group has now published accounts for its 2025 financial year in which it fell to a loss in a challenging year, with lower than anticipated revenue driven by delays and “non-progression of certain customer programmes”. Revenues fell from £24.5m to £18.6m, while Ebitda fell from profit of £800,000 to a loss of £1.5m.

The 2024 pre-tax profit of £400,000 was also converted to a loss of £1.99m. The overall loss for the year was £1.5m, down from profit of £371,975. Employee numbers also dropped slightly, from an average of 233 to 218.

A report within the accounts, by founder Brian Palmer highlighted its challenges as well as its investments.

It said: “During the year, management focus was directed toward stabilising the group following a period of reduced revenue, while ensuring that the underlying capabilities required to support future growth were retained. Actions were taken at subsidiary level to control costs, manage working capital and protect liquidity.

“Tharsus Limited experienced a challenging year, with lower than anticipated revenue driven by delays and non-progression of certain customer programmes. Restructuring activity was undertaken during the year to reduce costs and protect liquidity.

“Despite the difficult trading conditions, the business continued to invest in its core engineering and manufacturing capabilities and in the development of its VersaTile product platform.

“Universal Wolf Limited also experienced a softer trading year compared with the prior period, reflecting reduced demand from a number of established customers. The business maintained operational discipline and developed its core skills and capability, positioning it to support improved performance as customer programmes mature.”

Tharsus said the group continued to invest in the development of its VersaTile logistics automation platform – systems developed by the group under its own intellectual property – during the year.

It added: “A successful trial of the Grid system was completed during the year at a major grocer’s site, providing additional validation of the system’s performance in a chilled distribution environment. The business is in discussions with several major UK grocers, third party logistics providers and integrators about the commercial applications of VersaTile.”

Following publication of the accounts, the group told BusinessLive that Tharsus, Universal Wolf and VersaTile Automation has felt the impact of increased National Insurance costs, high interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty. These factors have made customers and their funders more cautious regarding innovation expenditure, resulting in the reduced total revenue and overall loss.

CEO and founder Mr Palmer added: “2025 was an important year of transition for Tharsus Group. While market conditions remained difficult in some areas, the business made clear progress in improving its commercial focus and positioning the Group for sustainable growth. We remain confident in the future opportunity for Tharsus Group, underpinned by the quality of our people, our engineering capability and the strength of the customer relationships we are building.

“I am grateful to all our Tharsus, Universal Wolf and VersaTile colleagues for their effort and resilience throughout 2025. Personally, I believe that there is no-one better placed to deal with the challenges of developing and commercialising new technology hardware in the UK than Tharsus Group.”

‘We want New College Durham to become a genuine hub for skills, collaboration and opportunity across the North East’

Leaders of a North East further and higher education college have heralded the launch of a new training facility as a hub for skills, collaboration and opportunity across the region. New College Durham (NCD) has opened the Training and Skills Development facility as a dynamic hub for employers, learners and industry partners.

Its new facilities have been devised to make it easier for businesses of all sizes to access high-quality adult skills training and workforce development opportunities. The hub brings skills, employers and talent under one roof amid moves to help businesses respond to changing industry demands, tackle skills gaps and build the workforce they need to grow and thrive.

Andy Broadbent, principal and chief executive, said: “By creating this dedicated hub and enhancing our current Training and Skills Development offer, we are further reinforcing our commitment to putting students and employers at the centre of everything we do. We understand that every business is different, which is why our team takes the time to appreciate and understand individual challenges before creating training solutions that deliver real results.

“Whether supporting a small business to develop its workforce or helping a larger organisation secure funding for significant training programmes, we’re here to make the process as straightforward and beneficial as possible”

NCD works in partnership with key stakeholders, including the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Jobcentre Plus, and local authorities across the North East.

Its team works with employers to identify skills gaps, understand emerging workforce needs, and develop training programmes that support recruitment, retention, and employee development.

They deliver solutions including apprenticeships, accredited professional qualifications, short courses, leadership development, and technical skills training.

During the recent academic year (2024/25), NCD’s Training and Skills Development Team succeeded in securing £14m in funding, supported 7,000 learners, and worked alongside a wide range of sector-specialist partners to deliver targeted training that strengthens businesses and communities across the region.

Colleen Peters, vice principal business development, productivity and apprenticeships, added: “Businesses are the driving force of our regional economy, and investing in people, skills and talent has never been more important. Our new dedicated training and workshop space brings employers, learners and partners together in one dynamic environment, creating a place where ideas can be shared, skills developed and solutions shaped around the real needs of industry.

“This is far more than a new home for our Training and Skills Development Team. It represents our ambition to work differently with employers, creating stronger connections between education and industry and making it easier for businesses to access the expertise, training and talent they need to grow.

“We want New College Durham to become a genuine hub for skills, collaboration and opportunity across the North East, a place where partnerships are built, businesses are supported to thrive, and adults gain the skills that can transform their futures.”

Schwartz’s, one of Montreal’s most famous delis, has stopped serving the iconic US-made black cherry soda that has been a fixture at the restaurant for decades.

The sandwich shop had struggled to maintain supply of the cola for the last eight years as the distributor cut back production due to the rising cost of aluminium.

But it didn’t expect the cans to vanish permanently. Now it has switched to a locally-made version, which the venue’s customers have largely embraced.

Video by Eloise Alanna