The manufacturing fightback continues
METALRAX finance director Caroline Green says Britain’s manufacturers are now competing effectively with rivals in countries such as China and there are signs that the offshoring trend is reversing.
Green, who joined the Alvechurch-based engineering plc in 2008, said: “The UK is the sixth largest manufacturer by output in the world and it amounts to 12 per cent of employment in the West Midlands.
“We don’t talk about it much in the Midlands. We are constantly talking about things such as ‘tech’ parks but the reality is that more than one in ten people still make stuff.
“One of our companies makes bakeware. The main competition is from Chinese imports. We can get it to the customer for the same price as the Chinese but at a much better quality and the turnaround time is much faster.
“That’s why a lot of the Chinese stuff is returning. Buyers are starting to look for the smartest solutions.”
Green was recently promoted to FD at Metalrax, a niche supplier of specialist engineering and consumer durable products. One of her main roles at the firm has been to oversee the disposal of non-core assets. It now has eight units whereas previously it was 23.
It has been a tough time for manufacturers but Green is confident Metalrax has turned the corner.
“That’s not to say it’s not still tough but we returned to profit in 2010 for the first time since 2006,” she said.
“It’s about finding a niche. Manufacturers need to find customers who don’t have a choice or don’t want to go to overseas suppliers. They need to have a reason to buy British.
“Our mission is to demonstrate you can make money as a British manufacturer.”
Green is one of the judges on TheBusinessDesk.com’s inaugural Midlands Business Masters awards, which has a manufacturing category.
Revealing why she had signed up as judge, she said: “We’re proud manufacturers and we are genuinely passionate about British manufacturing.”
Midlands Business Masters is a new event to celebrate outstanding talent, innovation and achievement across the region.
Nominations are now open for the Masters’ six awards categories.
The awards categories are:
West Midlands Newcomer – Best new business initiative in the region
West Midlands Manufacturer – Celebrating the region’s top manufacturing firms
West Midlands Pride – Most meaningful philanthropic initiative by a business, organisation or leader
West Midlands Innovator – Most creative or original business thinking
West Midlands Ambassador – Greatest contribution to business in the West Midlands
West Midlands Exporter – Recognising overseas trade success
If you would like to submit a nomination please click here.
Nominations close on Tuesday February 28. The shortlist will be decided by a judging panel and announced on the website. Readers will be invited to cast the final vote for the winners.
The awards ceremony will take place at Birmingham Town Hall on May 10.
The event will start with a champagne reception, followed by a three-course lunch with fine wine. Tickets are available for £125 per ticket plus VAT, sold in pairs. To buy tickets please click here.
