Manufacturers can help county weather the storm

Carole Myers at Conception Marketing said the county’s manufacturers had a strong track record of delivering growth by pushing the boundaries and backed them to do this again.

The latest Lancashire Economic Survey showed many measures against the industry, including domestic and export sales and order balances, were at a four-year low.

Conception Marketing is sponsoring the Manufacturer of the Year category at the Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs, which is open for applications for 18 prizes.

Ms Myers said: “It is Lancashire which gave the world the Industrial Revolution and you only have to look around at manufacturers large, medium-sized and small today to see that pioneering spirit is still with us.

“Conception Marketing specialises in working with engineering, manufacturing and technology businesses and we see this type of innovative thinking and determination to succeed on a daily basis.

“What I believe is required is for everyone to push towards a more a business environment more conducive to rebalancing our economy, not one where more burdens are placed on manufacturers.”

The manufacturing industry is responsible for nearly £4 billion generated by the Lancashire economy and almost 100,000 jobs in the county, including aerospace, food and agriculture, and fabricated metal products.

The Lancashire Economic Survey, compiled by chartered accountants and business advisers, Moore and Smalley, surveyed members of Lancashire’s three Chambers of Commerce.

The North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is the organiser of the BIBAs which is open for applications until i Friday, April 8.

The final takes place in September at Blackpool Tower.