Manufacturing in the Midlands: make your voice heard

Manufacturing is a critical component of the Midlands economy, responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs and a significant proportion of the region’s economic output.

World-class research and commercialisation of technology gives the Midlands a deserved international reputation.

The Government consulted on its Industrial Strategy green paper, which was released at the start of the year, and is expected to publish its white paper this autumn.

It makes it the right time for TheBusinessDesk.com and KPMG to be launching its project on manufacturing in the Midlands.

We want to hear from the region’s manufacturers about how the issues that matter most to them – the impact of Brexit, investment, skills and Government policy affecting the sector.

We will collate the responses and report on the findings, supplemented by a round table discussion with leading manufacturers to get to the heart of the aspirations and frustrations of the sector.

Alex Turner, editor of TheBusinessDesk.com, said: “The phrase ‘Industrial Strategy’ re-entered the conversation last year when the Government’s business department was renamed and a new tone adopted.

“In the past industrial strategies have had mixed success. But the added uncertainty of Brexit makes it imperative that businesses, in the Midlands and throughout the UK, have the support of a well-funded plan to maximise trading opportunities.

“This project is designed to add to that discussion about how our manufacturing companies are feeling, what actions they plan to take in their own business, and want they want to see from Government and other stakeholders.”

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