Pictured (left to right) are Clive Bell of SCA, Secretary of State Vince Cable and Guy Opperman MP - and of course, some Double Velvet!
A Prudhoe business has been selected to feature in a new campaign aimed at showcasing the best of British manufacturing.
SCA Hygiene, maker of leading toilet tissue brand Double Velvet, was one of only 40 companies highlighted by Business Secretary Vince Cable at the launch of the campaign in the House of Commons.
Made By Britain is designed to overhaul the image of UK manufacturing. Dr Cable asked every MP in the UK to put forward an example of manufacturing excellence from their constituency. I nominated SCA, which is run by local and enlightened people who should be applauded for their business success, their relationship with their employees, the awards they have won, their contribution to the community and their apprenticeship scheme.
Drawing inspiration from the Great Exhibition of 1851, the campaign will showcase the creativity and productivity of what is Made By Britain during an exhibition next year to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. "Despite being the world’s seventh largest manufacturer, British manufacturing remains an untold tale of innovation and ingenuity – and one of the few sectors that may be able to strengthen the economy," said Dr Cable.
"British industry remains among the very best for the quality and originality of what it makes,” he added. “We export our goods to every corner of the world – from famous international brands to products which, while less well known, make a real difference to the lives of millions."
It was my first return to the Commons for offical business after my surgery, but I was determined to make it to help celebrate SCA’s success.
SCA Senior Mill Representative Clive Bell, who was at the launch, said: “We were thrilled to be selected to help lead this exciting campaign, and it’s an incredible honour, not just for the company, but for each and every one of us who work at Prudhoe Mill.
“I hope the organisers of the initiative use this momentum to generate further recognition for this country’s hard-pressed manufacturing sector, and as a business we’ll do everything we can to support that. The Made by Britain initiative should also silence the sceptics who think we no longer make anything in the UK."
