Hereford and Worcester manufacturers combine to promote industry

MANUFACTURERS from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire have combined to promote the industry across the two counties.

Representatives from businesses in the areas gathered in Bromyard for an event organised by the H & W Chamber of Commerce.

The forum is a strategic group which aims to maximise opportunities and promote the interests of businesses in the sector. In keeping with chamber guidelines, it is designed to lobby for specific policies that benefit its members.

The group has a strong focus on issues which affect the industry, notably skills, innovation and growth.

One of the firms taking part in the initiative is Polytec Car Styling Bromyard, which supplies accessories for the automotive world, designing, developing and producing plastic bumpers for Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Ford amongst others.  

Nick Munster, managing director of the firm, said building closer links with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) had been key to the firm’s success.

Gary Groucutt, Business Development Manager at the Stanford Marsh Group said: “Manufacturing is key to the success of the economic recovery in our two counties and across the country.  The manufacturing forum is a great platform where the issues of the industry can be debated and from which a single voice can be established in order to communicate to government and other stakeholders.”

Mike Ashton, chief executive of the chamber, said: “Britain’s manufacturing recovery continued to power ahead in the second quarter of the year and we are seeing that reflected locally with 61% of local manufacturers enjoying an increase in sales in the first quarter of this year.  The manufacturing forum is key to encouraging and promoting that growth which will help us all to sustain this economic recovery, and I would encourage all those with an interest in this sector to attend the next one.”

The next forum takes place tomorrow at Morgan Technical Ceramics in Stourport.