Business Minister Mark Prisk yesterday visited Armitage Shanks’ main manufacturing warehouse site at Armitage, Rugeley. The visit was one of several stops on the minister’s two day tour of the West Midlands, where he met with local businesses and hosted discussions with local enterprise partnerships.
Mr Prisk’s tour began in Rugeley where he discussed recent investments, current issues and the ceramic industry with Armitage Shanks’ management before touring the factory.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “I find it extremely valuable to meet with businesses and local enterprise partnerships and hear about the different challenges they are facing and their ideas about how we can work together to stimulate growth.
“I’m keen to learn about the different and innovative approaches that businesses are taking to help them thrive in the current economic climate and listen to their ambitious and creative plans.
“Manufacturing businesses across the West Midlands have been leading the way in grasping opportunities to innovate, export and grow as the economy recovers from the recent recession. By listening directly to business this Government is better able to tackle the barriers and red tape that frustrate businesses.”
Tony Herbert, Operations Director EMEA said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark Prisk to Rugeley today. Rugeley is a very important site for Armitage Shanks and produces the bulk of our UK sales. We’ve recently made significant investments in the warehouse and the manufacturing and are very proud to present our latest pressure casting technology to the minister today.”
Over 50 per cent of Ideal Standard’s 1,200 UK employees are employed at the Armitage site in Rugeley. Recently, the site has developed from a multi level casting facility to a single level casting facility. In recent years, it has seen a progressive removal of all plaster moulds as well as the introduction of automation. The first piece was produced at the factory in 1817 and today, the site is Ideal Standard International’s highest productivity plant.
