Pictured above: Johnathan Dudley
The Midlands manufacturing revival must be encouraged and
nurtured.
That was the call from Johnathan Dudley, managing partner at the
Midlands office of national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe
Clark Whitehill.
Speaking ahead of the firm's latest Manufacturing Network event,
being held on Tuesday, July 5, at the West Bromwich Albion FC
ground, he said all too often the sector had been let down in the
past.
Mr Dudley said: "There is no doubt that Midlands manufacturing
has taken a lead from the Government and is pushing production and
orders ahead.
"It is a very significant and much needed recovery which I hope
will produce the new jobs we desperately need and the profits
required to invest in the latest technology.
"Top Midlands automotive group Jaguar Land Rover has become a
powerhouse which suppliers are feeding off - JLR is performing ever
so well and it is a tribute to this area that it should be
considering the i54 site at Wolverhampton for its planned new
engine plant. It is an example to us all of what can be done when
management leadership and workforce commitment are harnessed in
partnership.
"Similarly the likes of digger manufacturer JCB and the big
aerospace companies are adding to the stimulus.
"However we have seen false dawns before, we have seen
governments pay lip-service to manufacturing … this time it
must be different. The Coalition says it wants a balanced economy
and appears to be firmly behind manufacturing. However these are
troubled times and it needs the Government to sustain its
commitment.
"It has made a promising start to creating an environment in
which business and manufacturing can flourish. But there is much
more it can do to stimulate the sector, cut red tape and
regulation, and sort out access to finance issues. Firms may want
to expand but, if they don't have the resources, they will be held
back.
"This is the time we need the Government to hold its nerve in
order to ensure manufacturing prospers in the way it should."
CCW's Manufacturing Events have proved popular with Midlands
businesses.
The aim is to provide an opportunity to meet and discuss current
issues in common with fellow manufacturers in a relaxed atmosphere,
sometimes with the stimulation of a guest speaker.
On this occasion it will be very much an interactive
gathering.
Mr Dudley said: "We are looking to make this an interactive
working breakfast, taking one or more common problems from the
group attending and solving them, utilising some tools and
techniques which firms can take away and, hopefully, apply to their
own business.
"We are confident the session will be useful, relevant and
fun!"
The event takes place in the football club's Pennington Suite,
with a 7.45am for 8.00am start, finishing by 10.00 am at the
latest. Any manufacturing businesses who are interested in
attending or would like to find out more about the network should
contact Miriam Sherwood on 01562 60101.
For more information about Crowe Clark Whitehill, please visit
their website here: www.croweclarkwhitehill.co.uk