Basildon has particular strengths in the digital, creative and tech sectors, employing more than 5,000 people. In the last few years, Basildon’s tech sector has experienced higher growth rates than both London and Cambridge.
American software giant, SS&C, have made Basildon their UK headquarters; and homegrown tech companies like Utilize PLC have expanded here. Basildon also boasts an Arts Council England (ACE) designated and funded CPP programme as well as the only underwater studio in Europe that's got a removable roof – its 12 metres long, nine metres wide, and six metres deep pool has been graced by the likes of James Bond and Harry Potter.
The sector is further supported by the recent opening of Launch-It Creative DigiTech Pre-Accelerator, offering aspiring entrepreneurs essential skills to start up and/or scale their businesses.
Basildon is synonymous with manufacturing quality. For decades, some of the world’s biggest brands have produced goods that are sold the world over.
New Holland tractors have been made in Basildon for more than fifty years. Owned by CNH Industrial, the Italian-American multinational corporation, it employs around 1,000 people and produces around a tenth of the world’s tractor production - over 90% of which are exported. Green innovations like hydrogen and methane powered tractors are now being produced by New Holland.
Europe’s largest coffee roastery was opened in 2017 by Costa to serve the growing markets in the UK and abroad. The 85,000 sq ft facility produces 45,000 tonnes of coffee a year. Basildon was chosen for its close proximity to the Tilbury Docks from where Costa’s raw coffee beans are imported.
Leading global technology provider serving the financial services industry like US fintech Fiserv (formerly First Data) have made Basildon their UK headquarters while the American multinational holding company SS&S have also chosen Basildon to be their base in the UK to provide administration, technology and operational support for the financial services industry.
Locally grown FinalytiQ - who develops software for financial planning businesses and provide investment consultancy, and fast growing Brightstar – who provides support to financial brokers in a variety of areas, such as mortgages and development finance, are headquartered in the borough too.
Basildon is also the headquarters for a number of MedTech players such as Timesco Healthcare Ltd who manufactures and supplies medical products for medical professionals for Anaesthesia, Surgery, Podiatry and Primary Care; Waymade who distributes medicines and operates a laboratory for medical testing and pharmaceutical validation; and Pharmanovia who operates a pharmaceuticals company which acquires and develops a range of branded medicines.
On the fringe of Europe’s biggest city, Basildon gives you multimodal access to the UK and global markets. With five international airports, few minutes to the M25, London’s orbital motorway and the UK’s most advanced, connected and integrated logistics hub at London Gateway - its deep-water berths are built to handle the world’s largest shipping vessels - on our doorstep, and Felixstowe - the largest container port of the UK - is less than 60 miles away, it is no surprise that logistics sector is thriving in Basildon.
One of Amazon’s Delivery Centres, Costa Roastery, PMS International, and the Finishing Line are all based in Basildon to take advantage of the location. There are many freight businesses operating in the borough, including:
Based at the Radford Industrial Estate in Billericay, Unbar Rothon is a supplier to food manufacturers for a range of functional and natural ingredients, including dried spices, dried herbs, dried fruits, dried vegetables, seasoning, essences, oleoresins, natural extracts, natural colours, natural flavours, and smoke extracts. Also from Billericay, Billericay Brewing Company is making a name for themselves by producing craft beers which they sell through their own Essex Beer shop, along with 100+ beers from Essex, and other selected outlets.
