A Manufacturing Summit, hosted by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Business Minister Mark Prisk, is to be held at Bristol and Bath Science Park on February 23. It will bring together Government and key industry leaders to discuss and debate progress, upcoming challenges and the next steps required to put manufacturing at the heart of the government's growth programme.
The summit will include a series of interactive break out sessions chaired by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) ministers that will share and explore steps the Government is taking to identify short and long term growth opportunities for manufacturing. Sessions include:
- Promoting manufacturing
- Commercialisation of technology
- Apprenticeships
- University Technology Colleges: opportunities for manufacturers
- Access to Finance
- Exports
- Commercialisation of technology
- Apprenticeships
- University Technology Colleges: opportunities for manufacturers
- Access to Finance
- Exports
Business Secretary Vince Cable said today: “Manufacturing has a pivotal role to play in rebalancing the economy, as a confident and healthy manufacturing sector is at the heart of the future growth for UK PLC. Building on this country’s strengths, we are working with businesses to support and grow the UK’s manufacturing capabilities, encourage innovation, develop supply chains, promote exports, business investment and improve skills. Our Manufacturing Summit creates the perfect platform for us to further strengthen our relationship with industry, and, more importantly, hear what its leaders have to say.”
The summit will build on the success of last year’s event held at the BIS Conference Centre in London and follows recent news that the sector expanded at its fastest pace since March 2011.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “Worth approximately £130bn a year and employing 2.5m people, the manufacturing sector makes a significant contribution to the UK’s economy. This is why we are hosting the Manufacturing Summit for a second year running to not only celebrate the importance of the sector, but also share and discuss the action Government is taking now to support businesses – from the £2.4bn Regional Growth Fund and new Manufacturing Advisory Service to tackling outdated perceptions of the sector with our Make it in Great Britain campaign.”
Bonnie Dean, chief executive of the Bristol & Bath Science Park, said: "We are delighted that BIS has chosen to hold its second Manufacturing Summit at the Science Park. On the Park and in the immediate vicinity are some of the most advanced and research-led manufacturing companies in the world. The conference is an excellent opportunity to exchange information and to explore new ideas."
To find out more about the steps the Government is taking to support manufacturing, visit http://www.bis.gov.uk" www.bis.gov.uk
