Made in the Midlands second annual East Midlands Exhibition attracted over 600 ardent representatives of the Midlands manufacturing sector to the iPro Stadium, Derby.
The Chairman of the Conservative Party and MP for Derbyshire Dales, Sir Patrick McLoughlin opened the show with an impassioned speech about the importance of manufacturers working together in a post-Brexit Britain.
Sir Patrick McLoughlin explained: Exhibitions like this, promoting whats going on in the East Midlands, promoting whats going on in other parts of the country are really very important indeed. That is why I was delighted when I was invited to come along and open the East Midlands exhibition.
Norton Motorcycles exhibited two of their high quality motorcycles, including their pristine Norton Dominator SS and CEO, Stuart Garner delivered an informative speech about their business ethos. Additionally, Bombardier Rail presented an expert analysis into the landscape of the rail industry.
Made in the Midlands are a privately run peer group for MDs and CEOs of manufacturing and engineering firms in the Midlands. The East Midlands exhibition was inspired to showcase the highest standard of manufacturing and engineering firms within the region.
All 50 exhibition stands sold-out, which was almost double the amount available at the previous years show. East Midland manufacturing appetite made it imperative for Made in the Midlands to grow the venue to a larger scale.
Managing Director of O.L.D. Engineering, Mary Topp said: I think the East Midlands Exhibition is really important, because it shows that we are all here and we do similar business. We are all here to help one another, so I have found it to be really great.
The East Midlands exhibition provided attendees with an ideal platform to meet new companies, with a view to securing future business. The event also provided non-member companies with the option of exhibiting, visiting and securing new business.
Business Development Manager of non-members Frost Electroplating, Seamus Bourke stated: The exhibition has been really good, as we have met a lot of new companies that we had never heard of before and walked away with 20 new contacts. We came to see what Made in the Midlands is all about and we are pretty impressed.
Made in the Midlands Managing Director, Jason Pitt concluded: The East Midlands exhibition has quickly become one of the most important dates in the East Midlands manufacturing calendar. It has been fantastic to see so much passion, enthusiasm and drive amongst the local manufacturing community.