Exhibition showcase for the best of Yorkshire industry

SURGICAL blades, cask ale and structural steelwork are among the Yorkshire products to be showcased in a Made by Britain campaign to promote the nation’s manufacturing.

Business Secretary Vince Cable will launch the campaign today, 160 years since the Great Exhibition of 1861.

Every MP is being asked to nominate an example of manufacturing excellence from their constituency in a move to overhaul the reputation of British industry.

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Among those who have made nominations so far, Grimbsy MP Austin Mitchell has chosen Young’s Fish Fingers, Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP David Blunkett has opted for Swann-Morton surgical blades, Colne Valley’s Jason McCartney has gone for Camira advanced fabrics and Sheffield Central’s Paul Blomfield has selected technology used in the Rolls Royce Trent engine.

Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams has nominated Great Heck Cask Ales and Thirsk and Malton’s Anne Mcintosh has chosen structural steelwork from Severfield-Rowen Plc which is being used in the Shard, a new skyscraper in London.

Mr Blunkett said: “In the Great Exhibition of 1851, exhibitors from Sheffield were celebrated for their outstanding steel blades and cutlery. Now, 160 years on, Swann Morton represents how the Sheffield steel industry has adapted and changed, but remains a global leader.

“They deserve enormous credit for quality and expertise and for the social enterprise model on which they have built their success”.

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Chris Taylor of Swann-Morton said: “We’re delighted to be nominated for the Made By Britain project. We produce over 280 million blades every year, which we export all over the world.

“But our roots are in Sheffield where we were founded in 1932 – being based in Britain is fundamental to our business.”

Although Britain is still the world’s seventh biggest manufacturer, the industry is concerned it is too often associated by the public with derelict factories and poorly paid jobs rather than being a nation of skilled designers and engineers.

Made In Britain aims to change that by telling the story of “makers” and has been organised by the Associate Parliamentary Manufacturing Group and Associate Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group, with some funding from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

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Mr Cable said: “With the Olympics bringing so much attention to Britain this is a fantastic opportunity to show the rest of the world that we make world beating products.”

Sir Alan Rudge, chairman of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851: “As an organisation with a long and distinguished career in supporting British industry, we are very pleased to be supporting these MPs in their 21st century effort.”