SMD

Business Secretary and President of the Board of Trade, Vince Cable visited SMD yesterday (Wednesday 4^th July) as part of his tour of North East companies who are working to boost the manufacturing industry in the region.
John Cridland from the Confederation of British Industry joined Mr Cable for his tour of the Turbinia works heavy production facility. 

Vince Cable said: “Manufacturing is extremely important for the British Economy. It’s the core of our export, most of our research and development is in manufacturing and the North East is particularly strong, and what we’re seeing around here is a revival, a big growth of manufacturing, very encouraging for the future. This company, like others see a great deal of future in developing the technologies around offshore wind development, and I think it has a great future.” 

John Cridland said: “Everybody in Britain is looking to see how our economy is going to grow, and how jobs are going to be created at a time when lots of people are feeling the pinch. Well this business here at SMD is a very good example. Here’s a business which is growing very rapidly, its taking on lots of new staff, its growing by selling products it makes in the subsea pipe-laying arena all around the world. I’ve heard from the CEO about new business they’ve got in Papua New Guinea, British engineering across the world. So there is a new model for growth, but it comes from mid-sized businesses exporting all around the planet.”

Tyne Tees was at SMD for the tour. Their coverage can be seen at –

http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2012-07-04/vince-cable-mp-visits-the-north-east/