I have been very pleased to see the new series on the BBC “Made in Britain“. I can’t think where they got that idea! Anyway, the point is that UK manufacturing is now vital to our economy and after the recession, the sensible people in government realise re-balancing the economy will be partly manufacturing driven.
A good example of the importance of manufacturing is its ability to create jobs for all levels of education and abilities. In finance, typically, you need to be well educated and work in an office. That is ok for some but what if, like me, you like making things or you’re passionate about having a physical achievement to the end of your day’s work.
As for those with strong maths skills, then rather than working for an insurance company, working out loss adjustments, or working in IT, how about moving into electronics where you can see something you design going into the public domain? Believe me, there is nothing better than seeing a product you have helped bring to the market in your local shop.
So this is all good and, to heap more goodness onto this, China’s Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged to take measures to increase trade between Britain and China.
They have acknowledged they must address their trade deficit with the world and import more goods. This can only be good news for our industry. We all know Germany makes the machines that go into China’s factories so why don’t we do the same, I know many companies that manufacture specialist products that are going down very well overseas.
The result is that, as I have constantly been saying, there is a place for our hi-tech electronics manufacturing and a healthy future at that. Just think how many factories in china that will benefit from UK made sensors, testers, analyzers and automation products to list just a few examples.
This, to me, is all good and it’s about time too. Lets have more of this positivity and look forward to embracing our overseas partners rather than fearing them.
