Member Article

Materials Processing Institute engages business community in Industrial Strategy discussion

The Tees Valley business community’s unrelenting drive to get involved with the government’s Industrial Strategy has carried on at pace this week, with the Materials Processing Institute hosting an industry discussion.

Organised by the CBI, the roundtable event was an opportunity for the body to engage with members from various industries, manufacturers and other Tees Valley professionals about the 10 pillars outlined in the green paper.

It was chaired by Alistair Westwood, Assistant Regional Director at the CBI for the North East & Cumbria, with representatives from a mix of organisations, including Lucite International, Procter and Gamble, Huntsman, Wilton Engineering, SembCorp, Durham University and Bond Dickinson, also in attendance.

The discussion focussed on ways to help address skills and infrastructure gaps, as well as which sectors are the most important to the North East and how government can support these industries and emerging markets through the Industrial Strategy.

Alistair Westwood said: “The CBI is keen to engage with key individuals from across different sectors of industry and professional services since the announcement of the Industrial Strategy.

“A modern Industrial Strategy is integral to building a successful, modern economy and opportunities like this bring together many people to share their experiences and opinions that will also help support the CBI and its communication with Government on key issues and agendas.”

The Government’s Industrial Strategy pillars for growth include investing in science, research and development, innovations, infrastructure and green growth, as well as encouraging inward investment.

Chris McDonald, Chief Executive of the Materials Processing Institute, who is also a member of the CBI regional council for the North East, added: “We have hosted many important events surrounding Government policy and I was delighted to welcome colleagues from the CBI and the wider North East business community to the Institute.

“The Industrial Strategy demonstrates a commitment from both Government and industry to collaborate and support long-term inward investment, job creation and growth.

“The Materials Processing Institute supports this and is already working with industry and government on sectors deals to bring forward specific opportunities including delivering on low carbon sustainable growth for the energy intensive industries.”

“It is now up to industry to respond by using the sector deals on offer, to invest in the advanced skills, technology and automation, to create the trade led growth Britain needs for the future.”