MP Visit to BNL to Promote Importance of the Plastics Industry

Last Modified: 17th August 2012

Andrew Jones MP, Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough, was recently invited to BNL (UK) Limited’s Knaresborough headquarters as part of a the British Plastics Federation’s campaign to promote the strategic manufacturing importance of the UK plastics industry.

BNL are a world leading designer and manufacturer of specialist plastic bearings and assemblies. The visit aimed to highlight the enabling role of the UK plastics industry in manufacturing and the issues the industry is currently facing.

Derek Mansfield, CEO, and Mark Watkins, EMEA Sales Manager, presented an overview of the company and the challenges and opportunities faced by BNL in the current business climate. BNL export over 90% of products across the globe and have a diverse customer base that has fortunately allowed it to weather many of the storms experienced by manufacturing in recent years. In the past month BNL has seen some key contract successes in Asia and a growing interest in their technology from the European automotive industry. Whilst these opportunities mean exciting times for BNL, there are challenges to be faced in order to sustain growth and innovation.

“The key challenges for our industry are the accessibility of investment funding and maintaining our key manufacturing skills,” stated Derek Mansfield. “Our ability to develop and innovate relies on investment and growth for our business, as well as our customers’ businesses. The current economic situation is making this a challenge for us all. Another issue is the employment of a workforce with the correct skills, which in our experience is being hampered by transport access and high fuel costs, plus the bureaucracy associated with developing apprenticeships.”

As a staunch supporter of improving transport links for the region, Mr. Jones was appreciative of the challenges of attracting manufacturing talent to the area and developing new workers in the industry.

Andrew commented, “It is vital that companies like BNL are able to find employees with he right skills to help their business grow. This is important because without business growth the number of jobs – particularly for young people – will be limited.”

“In Harrogate and Knaresborough we are fortunate to have an unemployment rate where there has been a decrease in the figures every month this year. Companies like BNL are part of the vibrant mixed economy of the district which enables this good record on employment to continue. I would like to thank BNL for hosting my visit and showing me the work they do.”

The discussion was followed by a tour of the Knaresborough factory, New Technology Centre and New Product Development, where he met one of BNL’s current apprentices and saw the investments BNL have recently made in technology, processes and equipment, ensuring their continuous innovation in the niche field of plastic bearing design and manufacture.

ENDS

For further information and jpegs of photos contact: Donna Loughnane   Marketing Executive
BNL (UK) Ltd, Manse Lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8LF, UK
T: +44 (0)1423 799208 F: +44 (0)1423 798108 E: donna.l@bnl-bearings.com

Notes to Editors:

BNL (UK) Ltd specialises in the design and manufacture of specialist plastic bearing solutions. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, BNL has offices in Foxboro, Massachusetts (BNL [USA] Inc.), Tokyo, Japan (BNL [Japan] Inc.), Shanghai, China (Shanghai Plastics Capital Trading Ltd.) and a second manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand (BNL [Thailand] Ltd).

Andrew Jones MP, Member of Parliament for Harrogate & Knaresborough: www.andrewjonesmp.co.uk

British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.

Related Documents

The UK Plastics Industry A Strategic Manufacturing Sector Discussion Document (The UK Plastics Industry A Strategic Manufacturing Sector Discussion Document.pdf)

Related Articles

Hardie Polymers in BPF Strategic Discussion with MP
Dunbartonshire -based BPF member Hardie Polymers met with local MP, Jo Swinson, Nick Clegg's Parliamentary Private Secretary, on Friday 29th June, to discuss the strategic future of the UK plastics industry. Joining Fergus Hardie, the Company's Managing Director, was Philip Law, BPF's Public and Industrial Affairs Director. (05/07/12)
Published: 6th July 2012

Agentdraw call on Local MP to Support the Plastics Industry
Andrew Robathan Member of Parliament for South Leicestershire and a junior defence minister, recently visited BPF member Agentdraw. The meeting was facilitated as part of the BPF's Campaign to highlight The UK plastics industry as a strategic manufacturing sector. (08/06/12)
Published: 8th June 2012

BPF Launches Strategic Discussion To Promote Investment
The British Plastics Federation has today launched a signal strategic document on the UK plastics industry's future which it wishes to discuss with all stakeholder groups, the government in particular. (13/04/2011)
Published: 13th April 2012

Related Category

BPF News
British Plastics Federation News and Press Releases

Government
Government Affairs News

Latest News
British Plastics Federation plastics news

News Ticker


Strategic Manufacturing
Press releases relating to the BPF's Strategic Manufacturing initiative, for more information see www.bpf.co.uk/strategicmanufacturing