Coventry and Warwickshire manufacturers urged to support Growth Hub

A LEADING business figure in Coventry and Warwickshire has urged advanced manufacturers in the region to make the most of a new service to help them grow.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the support service was important because its launch coincided with national figures suggesting output is slowing down.

According to the latest figures, manufacturing output was flat across the country in the three months to August although it had risen by 3.3% on the same time a year ago.

Ms Bennett said advanced manufacturing and engineering companies across the region could all benefit from support through the new Growth Hub.

The chamber is one of several partners at the hub which helps to direct companies to the support they need rather than having to wade through the myriad of organisations and grants on offer.

“It shows that, on a national level, there is still much more to be done to rebalance the economy towards manufacturing. Progress has been made but it’s clear that more needs to be done to get our manufacturers growing and exporting more,” said Ms Bennett.

“Here in Coventry and Warwickshire, the new Growth Hub – which formed the region’s City Deal bid to government – is already up and running and is supporting companies across our patch.

“The thinking behind the hub was to provide a ‘clearing house’ for our advanced manufacturers and engineers to help them grow. If they want to access grant support, trade overseas, expand into new premises and find graduates among many other things, they can speak to the Growth Hub and they will navigate them through the many different options out there.”

She said the chamber had, from the outset, been an advocate for the hub and it was already supporting a range of companies and individuals across the region.

“Whatever the barriers they (firms) are finding to growth, there is support available and it’s vital they make the most of it,” she added.