A SUPPORT group for Huntingdonshire manufacturers has been launched. Prominent businesses from the area, including Lola, Thurlby Thandar, Solo Cup Europe and Anglia Circuits, attended the inaugural event of the Huntingdonshire Manufacturers Association la

A SUPPORT group for Huntingdonshire manufacturers has been launched.

Prominent businesses from the area, including Lola, Thurlby Thandar, Solo Cup Europe and Anglia Circuits, attended the inaugural event of the Huntingdonshire Manufacturers Association last week at the Brampton Racecourse Conference Centre.

Sponsored by Huntingdonshire District Council and supported by Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce, Huntingdonshire Regional College and Business Link East, the group has been created to reinforce the manufacturers' role in the district's economy.

It will also help them promote high standards in manufacturing and access training and funding opportunities.

The launch was personally endorsed by Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for UK trade and industry and prominent champion of British manufacturing.

Delegates heard key speakers from HSBC Bank, the East of England Regional Development Agency and the Institute of Manufacturing at University of Cambridge.

Stuart Gibbons, managing director of the Le Mark Group and chairman of the association, said: "As chairman of the association, the launch certainly met my expectations.

"I was extremely encouraged to talk to attendees that 100 per cent endorsed the formation of the new manufacturing association, and have offered their skills and time in forming a steering committee to guide this new initiative as it progresses over the coming months."

John Bridge, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said: "A manufacturing recovery is crucial in order to secure the much-needed rebalancing of the UK economy towards exports and investment.

"The sector must be better supported, access to finance improved, and steps taken that help firms to preserve their skills base as well as create jobs and wealth.

"This initiative by the district council is therefore very timely and welcome to really help and support the development of manufacturing in Huntingdonshire."

INFO: If you are a manufacturer based in Huntingdonshire and want to be involved in this new steering committee, contact Stuart Gibbons at the Le Mark Group via stuart@lemark.co.uk.