Black Country manufacturing campaign: one year on…

‘Making the Future’, has been a hard-hitting campaign, delivered in partnership with FBC Manby Bowdler. Since October 2017, the chamber has campaigned on behalf of its manufacturers in a variety of ways; meeting with local MPs, engaging with Ministerial departments and touring the premises of some of the great manufacturing companies in the region.

The chamber has helped raise the profile of many regular issues faced by Black Country manufacturers, and where possible, worked with key stakeholders to help achieve the campaign’s aims and objectives.

But the chamber says its most important task has been to work harder gaining a better understanding of the policy issues affecting its manufacturers and how, as a local chamber, it can help to support them further.

On October 24, at the Molineux Football Stadium, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce will hold a panel-style event to outline the progress made with the campaign so far and to engage with members on what comes next.

Panel members include Alex de Ruyter, Research Professor at the Centre for Brexit Studies and Melvin Wingfield from A&M EDM, who will discuss their approach to skills and apprentices; A&M EDM are current holders of the Black Country Chamber’s Excellence in Manufacturing Award.

Alongside them on the panel will be Jo Smith, managing director of Fortress Interlocks, winner of three Queen’s Awards for manufacturing innovation and international trade, plus a representative from the Manufacturing Technology Centre, speaking on the local innovation eco system.

The event will give manufacturers an opportunity to shape the campaign moving forward. It will also give the opportunity to discuss what has worked so far and what is needed to keep improving the overall reach of the campaign itself.

Corin Crane, chief executive at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “As a membership organisation, it is crucial that we are in continued dialogue with our members on a range of policy issues. Our manufacturing policy campaign is totally member-led, so the direction of travel for the next 6-12 months will be dictated by our manufacturers.

We wanted to hold this event to give members the chance to see what we’ve achieved so far. Hopefully, by seeing some of the fantastic work already completed, more of our manufacturers will want to engage with the campaign. We know that the policy landscape changes frequently at local, regional and national levels and we need to be flexible in our approach to the campaign aims we wish to pursue.”

This free event will take place from 07:30-09:30 at the Molineux football stadium. If you would like to book places, please contact the Black Country Chamber events team on 01902 912316.

Follow this link to book online https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/bcc-events/manufacturing/making-the-future-one-year-on