The Black Country LEP joined forces with Ian Austin MP for Dudley North for the second time today, 1 November, to showcase goods manufactured in the Black Country and sold across the world. During the event 39 MPs including Boris Johnson, Tom Watson, Margot James, Liam Byrne, Hilary Benn and James Morris along with members of the business community visited the showcase exhibition at the Houses of Parliament.
With 455,400 people working in the Black Country with 103,725 of those in high value manufacturing jobs across 7,656 high value manufacturing businesses, the Black Country is one of the UKs leading supply chain centres within the automotive and aerospace sectors, this special exhibition showcased almost 30 Black Country based companies whose products are “made in the Black Country and sold across the world”.
Boris Johnson MP, Foreign Secretary said: “I spent part of my early working career in Wolverhampton and I remember all the traditional industries in the Black Country so it’s fantastic to see so many businesses in advanced manufacturing such as aerospace, automotive, digital media and film production. I am impressed by the new industries, new businesses and new investment in the Black Country.”
Tom Watson, MP said: “It’s great to see Black Country representatives at the heart of Westminster making a loud clarion cry that manufacturing matters and the Black Country has some of the best high skilled manufacturing in the world. I am particularly proud to see Sandwell based company Rimstock here today helping to represent the best of Black Country manufacturing.”
Paul Brown, Black Country LEP Board Member said: “I am delighted to see so many Black Country companies profiling their skills and expertise in Westminster today. Black Country businesses are demonstrating how valuable the Midlands contribution is to keeping the country moving as well as continuing to push innovation in manufacturing and engineering.”
Ian Austin MP for Dudley North said: “I grew up in Dudley, I love the Black Country and I’m proud of it.
“Manufacturing is a really important part of the Black Country’s heritage but I want to show that hi-tech manufacturing, science and technology has a bright future in the region too. I want people in London to understand that we are bringing new industries and new jobs to the area to strengthen the local economy and boost prosperity.”
“That’s why I’m delighted to be able to organise this event in Parliament again this year, where our brilliant local producers and manufacturers can show off their work to MPs from across the country.”
Visitors on the day also saw a demonstration of HVM City: The Opportunity Gateway, a new online portal which allows companies to register tender opportunities as well as companies and individuals being able to access tender opportunities. The HVM City Platform, which will be directly aligned with the HS2 Procurement Portal, will enable inward investment opportunities, drive supply chain development and integration and support major contract delivery from start to finish.
ENDS
For further information contact Helen Annetts, PR on Behalf of the Black Country LEP on 07779026720
About the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
- The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) aligns activity across private and public sectors to create the right environment for businesses with a remit to tackle barriers to business growth and create a globally competitive local economy.
- Programmes to deliver our vision are structured around three areas of activity:
- Business: supporting skills and competitiveness
- People: raising skills and employability, for example through our City Deal and Skills Factory;
- Place: including the provision of more high quality employment land through our Enterprise Zone and City Deal.
- The LEP Board has identified seven priority areas where action will have the most impact on the Black Country and its contribution to the national economy:
- Exploiting the potential of the Black Country as a place to live, do business and invest; focusing on our housing offer, the quality of employment land, and the distinctive role of our four strategic centres.
- Using supply chains to build business commitment to skills and growth
- Supporting innovation at our major science and business parks
- Building a close relationship with our top 600 companies
- Raising our skills levels
- Securing inward investment
- Developing a more entrepreneurial culture
- The Black Country located at the heart of the national transport network, comprises the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and the City of Wolverhampton. It covers 356 sq kilometres, is home to 1.14 million people, with 23 per cent ethnic minority residents and approximately half a million jobs in 31,000 companies.
For more information on the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership visit www.blackcountrylep.co.uk or follow on Twitter: @blackcountrylep
