Does the manufacturing sector need a voice? I think it does. In some ways making things has become unfashionable, unless the word “artisan” is attached to it. For example, a large successful bakery with customers nationwide, employing and training hundreds of people doesn’t have the positive image of a small specialist retail baker with a low volume, local market.
Manufacturers are in general not great networkers. The marketplace is mostly national or international and marketing efforts are quite rightly focused in those areas. The down side of that is that there is a lack of contact with other local manufacturers, with decision-makers and with educational bodies.
It’s often not until something goes wrong in a big way that conversations begin. Take the case of Bombardier in Derby. It wasn’t until a major contract had been awarded to Siemens that people started questioning what the UK Government could do to procure in the way that other European countries do, that is building in the “home produced” factor without breaking EU procurement law.
Equally the lack of skills and appropriate training of young people are also frequently quoted as a problem for manufacturing employers. How many organisations have talked to policy makers, schools, colleges and universities about their recruitment and training needs or given an insight into the world of manufacturing?
I think we need to make it easier to gather views, concerns and needs through the Bradford & Airedale Manufacturing Alliance. Lobbying can be slow to see results but the alternative is to accept things as they are. If there is one thing that manufacturers are renowned for its innovation, so let’s look at doing things differently, at being more vocal and make links that will benefit business now and in the future.
Sandy Needham
Chief Executive, Bradford Chamber
Comments