British manufacturing is becoming great again. Manufacturing activity has increased and total output is now higher than it was in the 1970s. The importance of this industry cannot be overstated, it is a major contributor to our economy. Thanks to bold efforts taken by the last Government, the sector is more productive, has a more skilled workforce and greater investment in research and development too.
Businesses in Fareham are leading the way.
I visited the UK facility of the globally operating automotive specialist SMR, Samvardhana Motherson Group’s division for rear vision systems and a global leader in interior and exterior mirrors as well as camera based driver assist technology. The company serve a diversified customer base of both passenger and commercial vehicles including; Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo.
SMR have developed a strong reputation for innovation in leading technologies, with ‘First to Markets’ backed by 600 patents. In 1998 SMR developed turn signals in exterior mirrors with the Mercedes Benz S-Class, intelligent mirror integrated camera systems for monitoring blind zones in 2005 for Volvo, and plastic mirror reflectors ‘PlasticGlass’ in 2012 for Ford. Currently in the development stage are next generation high performance camera technologies complementing or even replacing rear view mirrors with the objective to make driving more comfortable, safe and fun. SMR are taking their responsibilities seriously, looking for eco-friendly ‘chrome-like’ metallization, light weight design and green materials.
I was really impressed by SMR’s enthusiasm for a thriving science sector. Investing in science underpins our future economic growth and I am proud that the Government backed one of Britain's greatest successes- our world leading research base and ring-fenced the science budget.
SMR had external sales of €1.2 billion for the financial year 2014/2015 with 93% of sales being exterior mirrors, integrated turn signals and electric actuators. Their global network comprises 8,500 highly motivated experts, with manufacturing and assembly plants, engineering and project management centres or logistic and sequencing centres in every continent bar Antarctica.
I was delighted to visit SMR’s UK based manufacturing and assembly plant and engineering and project management centre at Portchester and was fascinated to learn that all wing mirrors on Jaguar cars are made there. In particular, the family atmosphere of the company is infectious and I am thrilled that such cutting edge research and development, leadership and innovation is taking place here in Portchester.