Member Article

Region must build on reputation for manufacturing excellence

The North East manufacturing industry needs to build on its strong reputation to maintain a competitive advantage in the international marketplace, according to one regional firm.

Throughout 2011 Stockton-on-Tees based Pickering Lifts, the UK’s largest independent lift manufacturer witnessed steady growth, which has escalated further in the first two months of 2012.

This was especially good news for the firm, who managed to defy CBI statistics reporting that optimism within the manufacturing industry fell to the downturn levels of Spring 2009.

The company now hopes to continue this positive trend into the second Quarter of 2012.

Kirk Lawson, sales and marketing director for Pickering Lifts, believes that the company’s’ excellent reputation for strong technical capability and exceptional customer service has helped them to flourish during this difficult period.

He said: “It is our USP which has enabled us to buck the negative trends reported by the likes of the ONS, CBI, EEF and CIPS and enjoy a stable profit margin during what is obviously a difficult economic climate.

“We would recommend that other manufacturers in the region take a step back from their business and assess what it is that makes them appeal to their customers and maximise these foundations in order to achieve similar success.”

Concerns regarding public spending cuts and the potential effects of the current eurozone sovereign debt crisis have had an additional significant effect on expectations within the industry.

Kirk adds: “Expectations for the coming months are gloomy but this is not surprising. Cuts to public spending have clearly had a negative impact on the industry and further cuts will only contribute to further decline.

“To fill any void left by this, North East manufacturers need to maintain a competitive advantage to drive business from the private sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .