Manufacturing Task Force launched in Yorkshire

A West Yorkshire Manufacturing Task Force has brought together fourteen representatives from manufacturing companies and alliances to support the continued growth of the sector.

At a virtual meeting today, the Task Force continued discussions on the current business support landscape, the need to secure inward investment and remain an attractive region and what local manufacturers need to meet the region’s 2038 net-zero carbon target.

Task Force meetings will be held over the next six months, chaired by Andrew Wright, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business, Economy and Innovation Committee.

Manufacturing experts will explore practices and solutions to challenges and share an action plan with recommendations on the support needed to help local businesses remain competitive, addressing areas including the transition to net-zero, new trading relations, access to finance and how to increase productivity and innovation levels.

Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I’m excited to launch the West Yorkshire Manufacturing Task Force with a fantastic team of expert local manufacturers who are coming together to create an action plan for how our businesses can grow and remain competitive.

“West Yorkshire is home to more manufacturing jobs than anywhere else in the North, and I want us to do all that we can to take our world-class manufacturing sector forward.

“Our Manufacturing Task Force has been set up to explore how we can achieve this, whether that be by increasing their innovative activity, creating the products of tomorrow, today, taking bold steps to enter the global market or planning ahead to ensure they have the manufacturing skills and capabilities needed for our future economy.”

The Mayor of West Yorkshire will sign off the action plan. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority will consider the findings to deliver future support for local manufacturing businesses in partnership with local partners and stakeholders.

Findings from the Task Force will support existing strategies and policies of the Combined Authority, including the Business Productivity and Resilience Plan, Innovation Framework, Employment and Skills Framework and the emerging West Yorkshire Trade Strategy.