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Until as recently as the 1960's, Northumberland's economy was almost wholly dependant on the coal industry. Now there is only one deep mine left at Ellington. The economy of the county has become highly diversified and now includes a range of modern industries.
Northumberland has the greatest concentration of pharmaceutical companies in the north of England including the European bases of a number of international world leaders. These companies include Pharmacia Corp, a major USA-owned pharmaceutical company which has a large manufacturing facility in Morpeth.
Electronics is Northumberland's fastest growing manufacturing industry and many recent inward investments to the County have come from this sector. One of the reasons for this is the proximity of Northumberland to the so-called "Silicon Glen" between Edinburgh and Glasgow, which provides a market for component suppliers
Northumberland has a number of other significant chemical industry manufacturers. The principal location identified for the growth of the industry is the Cambois industrial area. This has two major chemicals companies, Arizona Chemicals and Italian-owned ACS Dobfar.
Paint manufacture is a particular strength of Northumberland with three leading companies
Northumberland's major centre for the plastics and packaging industry is Cramlington where well over 1,000 people are currently employed in related companies. The county's pharmaceutical and toiletry companies have helped to attract manufacturers of both plastic containers and closures (Audus Noble and Nampak) and specific drugs packaging (Lawson Mardon Pharmaflex). But the two largest plastics companies in Northumberland are Cova Products Ltd. who manufacture flexible decorative surface materials including "Fablon", and Jackel International who manufacture nursery products and hair accessories.
One of Northumberland's most important industrial strengths is in the metals and engineering sector. Alcan’s facilities in are responsible for the UK's largest output of primary aluminium. Other leading companies AAF (air filters), Draeger (breathing apparatus), Simula (car air-bags), Hedley Purvis (bolt technology), and Cascade (cylinder manufacturing).
Northumberland's North Sea location has led to a range of products and services being provided for the offshore oil and gas industries. Blyth is now in regular use as an offshore supply base, whilst the adjacent Euro-seas facility provides a highly specialist subsea research, training and consultancy service.
Hose and couplings manufacturer K & B Beattie are a major player in the offshore supplies industry, supplying 85% of all new rigs in the Western hemisphere. Another Northumberland leader in the industry is Pipeline Integrity International of Cramlington who are a top pipeline inspection company through their intelligent "pig".
The clothing and textiles industry in Northumberland is diverse both in terms of the range of products made and the location of the various manufacturing facilities. The largest company is Dewhirsts Ladieswear of Ashington, a major UK supplier for Marks and Spencer. The most famous clothing name in the County is Burberrys who have a distribution depot at Blyth. In recent years, Northumberland has developed a capability in clothing for the sports and leisure industry or "Active Wear". Companies involved include Omega of Amble, Diffusion Textiles and the Shark Group.
Northumberland has considerable involvement in the food, drink and fishing industry. A number of companies produce specialist local products such as smoked fish (including Craster kippers), local cheese, beer and Lindisfarne Mead (a honey-based alcoholic drink). Other products in this sector are "Jus-Rol" frozen pastry and "Abbey Well" bottled water (from Waters & Robson). The county also has a number of suppliers to the food industry including food decoration companies, G T Culpitt & Son and Sugarfayre.
