Manufacturers across Wiltshire are being urged to help change the perception of industry by telling their stories of innovation and ingenuity to their local MPs.
Terry Slater, region director in the south west for EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, is calling on local companies to participate in the "Made By Britain" scheme launched by business secretary Vince Cable by getting in touch with their Westminster representatives.
“Much has been made by government about the need to develop a more balanced economy that places less reliance on financial engineering and more emphasis on real engineering,” said Mr Slater.
“We can’t just expect this to happen on its own – we need to get the message out that product design, engineering and manufacturing is exciting and full of great success stories. Too many people – probably including some MPs – have a very stereotypical and old fashioned view of manufacturing and we need to change their mindset.”
Mr Cable has asked his House of Commons colleagues to go on the hunt for tales of manufacturing ingenuity during the summer recess to find innovative companies “on the cusp of breaking through.” The MPs' suggestions will initially be displayed in an interactive online map.
“We need to address the misconception that we no longer make anything – after all the UK is still the sixth biggest manufacturing nation in the world. Getting this message across to MPs is vital in addressing this misconception and ensuring that policy encourages its future development.
"At the same time, we need to be influencing the way that young people and their parents think about manufacturing or else we run the risk of failing to attract the brightest talent and skills base that is the heartbeat of industry,” Mr Slater said.
