Help in cutting red tape and investment in research and development uplifted manufacturers in the North-East in last month's Budget.
But there was concern that Gordon Brown could have done more to help the sector during his eight years at the helm of the nation's economy.
The Chancellor has promised to freeze corporation tax and pledged some simplifications of the regulatory regime - including the number of inspection bodies from 35 to just nine, and working with the Inland Revenue and Customs on a single tax account for small business to simplify their payment regime.
He also highlighted the creation of a Design Centre in Gateshead to assist the manufacturing sector.
Chris Thompson, chief executive of the Gateshead-based Express Group of manufacturing companies, which employs 350 workers, says: "On corporation tax, you have to be making a profit before you pay it. From what I can see, people in engineering and manufacturing are finding it more and more difficult to make a profit, so a freeze does not necessarily help business."
