Long-term government policy to support smaller manufacturers needed, say business leaders
Manufacturing leaders are today calling for a consistent, long-term policy to support the growth of smaller manufacturing companies.
Andrew Churchill, Managing Director of precision engineering company JJ Churchill Ltd, who supply into the Aerospace, Powergen and Diesel Engine sectors is calling on all political parties to work together to secure long-term planning and investment in order to safeguard the future of British manufacturing,
Speaking at the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Manufacturing Innovation Conference taking place in Birmingham, he will call for a clear plan to encourage and support high-growth SMEs as part of the Government’s industrial strategy.
Andrew said: “We want to see a consistent, long-term government policy to ensure the manufacturing sector continues to go from strength to strength. UK manufacturing is growing at the fastest rate for a generation, so we must act now to maintain the momentum.
“Key to this is an effective government industrial strategy, in which manufacturers themselves must play an important role. Lack of skills continues to threaten our success, so manufacturers need to get involved by engaging with schools and other education providers to highlight manufacturing as a career choice.
“Manufacturing is a complex and diverse industry extending far beyond the factory stereotype. Manufacturers today handle complex data and often work closely with customers, so need to be agile and flexible to respond to new market demands.”
The event will also hear from David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, who will talk about the importance of manufacturing for the Government, outlining what the Government will be doing to help create a pipeline of new engineers to support the future of UK manufacturing.
There will also be presentations from a number of local manufacturing organisations including Mondelez (owner of Cadbury’s), Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Science City, Aston University and the Manufacturing Advisory Service.
The purpose of the conference is to collect views on priorities for manufacturing innovation policy for 2015-2020 to inform Government policy.
Notes to editors:
§ Interview opportunities are available with IET spokespeople from a broad range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and women in engineering.
§ The IET is one of the world’s largest organisations for engineers and technicians. We have nearly 160,000 members in 127 countries around the world.
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§ For more information, visit www.theiet.org
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