Business Secretary Vince Cable today set out the latest steps the Government is taking to support “reshoring”, backing an encouraging trend of manufacturers bringing jobs and production back to the UK from low-cost countries in the East.
During a speech today at EEF’s National Manufacturing Conference, the Business Secretary welcomed EEF research showing that one in six companies reshored production in the last three years and announced the latest winners from a £245 million government supply chain fund which is helping to rebuild British manufacturing prowess.
Nine projects – including one in Nottingham – will receive £129 million of support – £53 million of government funding is leveraging in more than £75 million of private money. The projects will directly create 1,369 jobs and safeguard a further 2,525. At least 57 SMEs are involved in the successful consortia. A wide range of key sectors from the government’s industrial strategy are represented, including automotive, construction, information economy and life sciences
SMS Electronics is leading a project to create a new supply chain centre of excellence in Nottingham for on-site sterilisation of medical equipment using low energy x-rays, creating up to 38 jobs. This is a £3.8 million project, including £3 million of government support.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Britain is starting to win back business on the basis of hard headed business decisions based on quality and good performance. Through our industrial strategy the government is working in partnership with business to nurture these encouraging signs.
“Our backing for skills, apprenticeships, supply chains, innovation and new technologies are creating the right environment for business to invest here. The supply chain funding announced today is another practical example of intelligently targeted government support helping UK firms to keep ahead of the game.”
Mark Goldby, MD of SMS Electronics Ltd said: “We are delighted to receive the award of this funding. This is the culmination of many hours spent with our partner EnXray and other key consortium members developing the initial concept around this new technology and giving a clear route to bring it to market via a robust product realisation plan. This is a really positive story for UK manufacturing and we are proud to leading the way with this innovative new idea.
“The AMSCI funding is instrumental in bringing together a unique set of skills from a range of areas that will enable SMS Electronics and EnXray Ltd to deliver the technology into the market in a timely manner. It is our intention to create a true “centre of excellence” in Nottingham for this next generation sterilisation technology, which has application in the global medical device manufacturing arena, as well as other potential markets.”
Ed Cappabianca, CEO of EnXray Ltd, stated: “We are very pleased and excited to be working with SMS Electronics and the rest of the consortium members, to develop and commercialise our Low Energy X-Ray sterilisation technology.”
