The ideas factory
What becomes apparent is just how diverse the sector is – everything from medi-tech to aerospace by way of automotive and the nuclear industry. And equally apparent is just how much expertise exists among Midlands manufacturers. This was illustrated perfectly as Insider went to press by the news that Coventry van-maker Modec has been chosen for a £23m joint venture in the US because it is leading the way in producing electric vehicles.
Modec is a real Midlands manufacturing success story, and while it employs only 80 people, it is only five years old and growing rapidly. Surely companies like this are the future of industry in this region. If we can’t compete on production cost with the Hungarys and Malaysias of this world, we can compete on intelligence, design, innovation and application.
The local universities have a huge role to play – as does government investment. No one knows this better than Lord Bhattacharyya, the founder of Warwick Manufacturing Group. In our interview with him (p6 of Midlands Business Insider September 2009) he stresses yet again that scientific innovation is the route to future success. He worked for that famous old Birmingham engineering company Lucas and says: “A lack of investment in innovation meant Lucas was very quickly overtaken by emerging companies from Germany and Japan. They are now global giants. Lucas no longer exists.”
As someone who was made redundant at Lucas many moons ago, I can only concur with his statement. What I have taken away from our coverage is that the sector has too many clever, passionate people working in it to disappear. It has also received excellent support from public sector initiatives aimed at upskilling workforces, spreading supply chain risk and helping companies access research and development facilities thanks to regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and its affiliates.
Perhaps that’s something Conservative leader David Cameron should consider the next time someone in his party starts talking about the “bonfire of the RDAs”.
Andy Coyne, editor
