DBIS director briefed on key manufacturing concerns during Saint-Gobain Glass factory tour

Munday heard about key issues affecting the manufacturing industry including the skills shortage, energy efficiency challenges and regulatory concerns. Her visit is one of a series of site tours designed to strengthen links between government and industry and was set up by the Construction Products Association (CPA), Munday was joined by Michael Ankers, chief executive of the CPA and Peter Hindle, general delegate for Saint-Gobain in the UK, Ireland and South Africa and Pierre Lucien-Brun, managing director of Saint-Gobain Glass UK. The visitors were given a guided tour of the float plant, providing an insight into the processes involved in glass manufacture. Peter Hindle, MBE, said: "The visit provided DBIS with an insight into the scale of Saint-Gobain's operations around the world and, in particular, the extent and nature of its investments in the UK. He added: "It also enabled us to share our experiences in terms of the UK market and put forward our views on the issues that matter most to us, including the need for a reduced rate of VAT on energy saving products and measures."