GORDON HENDERSON MP

7th January 2011
MP Engages with Local Manufacturers at Best Practice Event

Local and regional manufacturers gathered with Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, to discuss the future of manufacturing in 2011 and the challenges that lay ahead in meeting existing and future business objectives.

The MP attended the event with member manufacturers of the Kent Best Practice Club organised by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East and hosted by Johnston Sweepers UK, the world's leading manufacturer of road sweepers, municipal cleansing vehicles and equipment for sweeping, cleaning, building, clearing and construction, at its branch in Sittingbourne, Kent.

Best practice networks exist across the South East region, set up by MAS South East to deliver strong and sustainable growth by encouraging collaboration between manufacturing businesses.

Mr Henderson listened to member companies speak, eager to learn more about how the Best Practice Clubs are benefiting companies in terms of sharing knowledge, expertise and experience in the drive for continuous improvement. Challenges for manufacturers in 2011 were discussed with many voicing their views on the type of government support that would benefit SMEs going forward – key issues of concern included funding, skills development, on-going training, support and growth.

Gordon Henderson MP said:

“As a great supporter of local businesses I am delighted to have had the opportunity to visit Johnston Sweepers and discuss some of the key issues concerning manufacturers as we move forward into 2011. With the right help and support provided by MAS on a local and regional level combined with ongoing government support, manufacturing in the UK will continue to grow, producing strong and sustainable businesses that are able to take full advantage of opportunities open to them as the economy goes from strength to strength.

“Having a prospering local business community is vital to the future economic well being of my constituents which is why I have set as one of my priorities doing whatever I can to help local companies expand to provide the additional jobs in the private sector which are needed to offset the loss of public sector jobs. With this in mind I have set up a new website, www.blinkss.co,uk, which is dedicated to the business community.”

David Caddle, Programme Manager for MAS South East, said: “Our Best Practice Clubs are a great way to help manufacturers sustain lean improvements and business efficiencies, and encourage further development through a mutual exchange of knowledge. Manufacturing is such an important sector within the region and it’s vital that our manufacturers demonstrate their own successes in order to benefit others.”