Manufacturing trade association urges firms to stay positive

BRITAIN’S biggest industrial trade association, the West Midlands-based Confederation of British Metalforming, has urged firms in the region to focus on business fundamentals.
 
The CBM said its members were refusing to see the doom and gloom suggested by many economists and the return to recession was a mere technicality.

Dennis Kent, CBM chief executive, said most manufacturing companies, especially those supplying the aerospace, automotive, rail and environmental sectors, were continuing to trade profitably.
 
“The feedback we are getting is that many members are proceeding with investment plans, are looking to recruit and are following David Cameron’s advice to seek out new overseas markets,” he said.
 
“Running a successful business is often about having confidence, and I really hope companies hold their nerve, continue the gradual upward progress we have seen in recent months, and don’t become distracted by headlines about a double-dip.”