Two days, four factories, billions of pounds worth of exports.
In a busier than usual start to the working week, I had the great pleasure of seeing first-hand the jewels in the crown of UK manufacturing as we toured British factories with a German link.
Accompanying my Ambassador, I was able to see for myself the skilled workers, the cutting edge technology, the innovation and the passion for success that keeps Britain at the forefront of global business.
Whether the production of the enormous Airbus A380 wings in Broughton, each of which contains 23 miles of cabling, or the precision of Bentley craftsmen in Crewe ensuring the walnut veneer on opposite sides of the Mulsanne are a mirror image of each other - the very best of British was on show.
These facilities, all uniquely impressive, are responsible for the employment of more than 15,000 workers and between them contribute significantly to the domestic economy both in terms of employment and spend in the UK supply chain but also through exports - with all four producing products overwhelmingly for the international markets.
Although we shouldn't divide up the bear skin before we've killed the bear (as the Germans would say instead of our counting chickens), it would be fair to say UK manufacturing is on the rise again, with these sites more than playing their role.
The UK automotive industry, in particular, is very much enjoying a renaissance and visiting three of the more successful factories is a reminder why.
Combining British excellence, innovation, design and creativity with German quality, rigour and efficiency (Bentley is owned by VW, Rolls and Mini by BMW) is proving to be the perfect match.
The magnificent Rolls Royce facility in Goodwood, where we saw one of the Phantom's used in the Olympics Closing Ceremony, is no less British for being owned by a volume German manufacturer.
In fact the Germans rebuilt the company almost completely, having bought simply the rights to the brand before building a factory from scratch on the south coast.
A quick tour of the facility, and the sight of the magnificent creatures produced within, and you can understand why Rolls Royce is used as an adjective.
And Bentley up in Crewe has regained its pride and its place in the world as a leading luxury manufacturer - and provider of the car for the Royal Wedding - thanks to the hundreds of millions of investment arriving from Hanover.
As a proud Mini owner myself, it is a great pleasure to visit the Cowley site which is home to this global brand and where 900 of the small but beautiful vehicles are produced every day.
If ever there was an example of a re-born, improved and fiercely British car, this is it. Mini sales are rising steadily – up another 20% last year so yet more exports for the UK - but the brand has retained its unique place in people's hearts despite German ownership (for which the German owners should be congratulated).
It is such an exemplar that we at the Embassy have branded one GREAT and will spend the next year driving it around Germany promoting Britain.
So with Airbus sitting on an order book seven years deep and Bentley, Rolls and Mini all enjoying an Aufschwung in global sales, it is a good time to be a British manufacturer. And a German investor in the UK.
2 comments
Comment by Torsten Wegener posted on
Thanks, Dan, for the link. Indeed, these examples underline the re-industrialization ongoing in the U.K. Best regards, Torsten
Comment by Torsten Wegener posted on
Thanks, Dan, for the link. Indeed, these examples underline the re-industrialization ongoing in the U.K. Best regards, Torsten