Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has been given a positive experience of Midlands manufacturing following a visit to the region.
His tour included a trip to Cube Precision Engineering in Rowley Regis where he had a private meeting with the company directors to discuss issues including the skills agenda and to gain feedback on the recent budget from a makers perspective.
The visit was arranged by local MP James Morris who had been impressed with recent award wins at the company, including the runner-up as Manufacturer of the Year voted by industry experts at the annual Made in the Midlands awards ceremony.
Director Neil Clifton said: We received a call from James congratulating us on our recent successes and asking about our experiences of government support. Ours have been wholly positive so he arranged a visit from George Osborne so that he could hear about them first hand.
As members, Cube Precision also invited representation from industry body Made in the Midlands who presented the Chancellor with their Futures Report. Alongside views on government policy the report measured member attitudes towards skills and training, technology trends, global influences and the state of UK manufacturing over the next three to five years.
Made in the Midlands Director Charles Addison said: We pride ourselves on being the voice of manufacturing. Presenting the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the collective thinking of our members about the future of the industry demonstrates our commitment to that.
A collective voice is a powerful one and the views of our members, including Cube Precision, have been hand delivered to the top table.
During his hour long visit the Chancellor also toured the site where he took the opportunity to use some of the press tool machinery and speak to members of staff.
Neil Clifton concluded: We were delighted to be able to demonstrate our capabilities to such a high profile visitor. I was impressed with his understanding of the issues that we face and his budget has worked for us straight away. The increase in capital allowance has enabled us to commit to a new machine purchase.Following the visit George Osborne's official twitter account stated: "Good day in the Midlands today seeing practical difference budget will make to support a nation of makers, doers and savers. Am hugely encouraged."
Click here to read the Futures Report
Image: Made in the Midlands Charles Addison present the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne with the MIM Futures Report. Overseen by participant and visit host Neil Clifton from Cube Precision.