EEF launches ‘Manufacturing Week’

The week will begin on Monday 1 March with the publication of EEF's Q1 Business Trends Survey and Economic Forecast and will involve a series of national and regional events around the UK. These will be aimed at manufacturers, politicians of all parties including prospective parliamentary candidates, the media and other key stakeholders. Activities will include regional debates and other events, as well as site visits to companies for sitting and prospective candidates, with the week culminating in the launch of EEF's Manufacturing Manifesto. This will suggest refreshed policies to create an internationally competitive business environment for manufacturing and one that sends the right signals to would-be investors and a pro-active agenda for growth. The week long campaign is also aimed at debunking the popular myth that the UK has lost its manufacturing base and will feature a dedicated website. This will contain case studies of world leading companies, letters to prospective parliamentary candidates inviting them to visit facilities and show their support for the sector and downloadable facts and figures. Commenting on the week long campaign, EEF director of policy Steve Radley (pictured) said: "This week will give the perfect opportunity to celebrate the success of manufacturing and tell politicians and the public why manufacturing is so important to our future. We have to tackle the myth that the UK doesn't have a manufacturing sector and set out how our sector can take a more important role than it has done in the recent past "Our over-reliance on financial services has been exposed during the recession and the shift to a more balanced economy will require the next government of whatever colour to think and act differently. It's a huge task but we have to start now." Details of the week and the campaign can be found by visiting the manufacturing week website www.lovemanufacturing.co.uk