Business Minister Mark Prisk visited a construction industry showcase at the 5586 Department of Business and Innovation Skills (BIS) in London yesterday.
During the event, the Minister met Rob Oliver, chief executive of the CEA (3418 Construction Equipment Association), who also represented 5463 Datatag; and senior figures from 1222 Terex; 5464 Taylor Construction Plant; 255 JCB; Nyclast Ltd; and 299 Perkins Engines.
Each company had more than five minutes with the Minister to discuss their products and their concerns in the industry including the skill shortage in the construction sector and how more encouragement and incentives from the Government was needed for UK manufacturers to export.
Speaking at the showcase, Prisk said: “The construction equipment industry is one of the UK’s most dynamic sectors, and contributes £8.5 billion to our economy each year. Most people don’t realise that the UK is the second largest net exporter of construction equipment in the world. Over 75 per cent of products manufactured in the UK are exported to 150 countries world-wide. That is an impressive figure.
"This showcase is just one of the steps this Government is taking to demonstrate just how innovative and world-leading our manufacturing base is here in the UK, and change perceptions that as a country we don't make anything anymore.”
CEA chief executive Oliver said: “We were delighted when BIS approached the CEA to stage the first ever construction equipment industry showcase at its headquarters.
“There is a growing awareness that Britain’s construction equipment sector is a major force in manufacturing and worth billions to the UK economy; this showcase is the perfect platform to shout about just how ‘great’ Britain is.
“The ‘Constructing the Future’ showcase is also all about encouraging new blood into the industry. Engineers, skilled operators – there are huge opportunities in the UK construction equipment sector which currently employs more than 55,000 people.”
The public is being encouraged to come and see the showcase until 25 May, 2012, and show their support of the UK construction equipment sector.
During the event, the Minister met Rob Oliver, chief executive of the CEA (
Each company had more than five minutes with the Minister to discuss their products and their concerns in the industry including the skill shortage in the construction sector and how more encouragement and incentives from the Government was needed for UK manufacturers to export.
Speaking at the showcase, Prisk said: “The construction equipment industry is one of the UK’s most dynamic sectors, and contributes £8.5 billion to our economy each year. Most people don’t realise that the UK is the second largest net exporter of construction equipment in the world. Over 75 per cent of products manufactured in the UK are exported to 150 countries world-wide. That is an impressive figure.
"This showcase is just one of the steps this Government is taking to demonstrate just how innovative and world-leading our manufacturing base is here in the UK, and change perceptions that as a country we don't make anything anymore.”
CEA chief executive Oliver said: “We were delighted when BIS approached the CEA to stage the first ever construction equipment industry showcase at its headquarters.
“There is a growing awareness that Britain’s construction equipment sector is a major force in manufacturing and worth billions to the UK economy; this showcase is the perfect platform to shout about just how ‘great’ Britain is.
“The ‘Constructing the Future’ showcase is also all about encouraging new blood into the industry. Engineers, skilled operators – there are huge opportunities in the UK construction equipment sector which currently employs more than 55,000 people.”
The public is being encouraged to come and see the showcase until 25 May, 2012, and show their support of the UK construction equipment sector.
