FOCUS ON MIDDLESBROUGH: STEELY DETERMINATION?

This came from an unexpected source: The London Review of Books. A piece by Joanna Biggs, entitled 'On Teeside' gives an insight into the economic struggles of the area post-manufacturing boom.

In the article, Biggs meets Jane Atkinson, who runs the Wilton chemical plant. Atkinson, born in Middlesbrough, was the first woman in the UK to manage a blast furnace. She believes manufacturing in the UK is not dead, 'just deserted by young people who don't want to be engineers,' (according to Ms. Biggs.)

'Talking to people about the processes industry, people don't think we have one any more, because they're just ignorant of it,' says Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough who Ms. Biggs spoke to in Westminster.

Photo from ralph&dot's Flickr

PANTHERELLA : TAG DETAIL

I had the pleasure of donning a fresh pair of Pantherella socks last week. A gift from a friend, the socks are made in Leicester and made my feet feel pretty darn good. I liked the detail that they had afforded on the inside of the tag, so much so that I have scanned it for your viewing here.

(Thanks to JMS Haydock for the fantastic gift)

INTRODUCING MANUFACTURE & INDUSTRY'S FAVOURITE FLICKR PROFILE

We have found a new hero of documentation via Flickr, he goes by the name of Mikey Ashworth and it would appear that he has the (wonderful sounding) role of design and heritage manager at London Underground.

Be warned, perusing Mr. Ashworth's collection may result in many lost hours.

Photo of Jacob & Cos factory from Mr. Ashworth's aforementioned Flickr

ENGINE HOUSES: BERND AND HILLA BECHER

Thank you to Mr. Alex MacDonald for this handsome picture postcard of an engine house by Bernd and Hilla Becher.

I am going to do some reading on the Bechers as I am lacking in knowledge regarding them and their work.

FOCUS ON BIRMINGHAM : JAGUAR LAND ROVER SAVED

Birmingham has received a sizeable amount of column inches over the last couple of weeks, mostly spurred by the Cameron chat. A good consequence of this has been the focus on manufacturing in the area, epitomised by this story from the BBC.

The future of Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull plant had never been in doubt, according to Gerard Coyne, regional secretary of Unite, due to it being the 'ancestral home' of the car maker.

Workers at the plant were clearly relieved. 'It's better than good. It's far more than we could have expected and I am gobsmacked,' said (the brilliantly named) Mick Jones, a paint shop worker from Erdington, Birmingham.

We enjoyed reading the comments from other workers here too.

NATIONAL WOOL WEEK: SAVILE ROW FIELD DAY

M&I joined a bunch of farmers, tailors and some hacks on Savile Row yesterday to mark the start of National Wool Week.

On a beautifully sunny day, the Row was turned in to a mini strip of countryside - complete with two flocks of sheep (Wiltshire Exmoor Horns and Bowmonts from Devon, if you're interested) and gents in corduroy milling about.

We were lucky enough to meet Patrick, chief cutter at Huntsman, who showed us the entire business, from stock rooms through to the tailors at the top of the building. During our tour Patrick told us about the democratic selection process of the season's Huntsman tweed whereby each sample is laid out on the floor for a month to be walked over and ticked with chalk when favoured. A simple way to cast a vote. We also discussed making suits for demanding Arabic customers, Millwall Football Club and Colin Hammick, the famous Huntsman tailor who passed away in 2008.

Thank you to the organisers of Savile Row Field Day and special thanks to Tom and Poppy who looked after us. We look forward to our next visit to the Row.

For more pictures please click here

MG TO RELAUNCH IN THE UK IN 2011

A piece in the Financial Times caught our eye today: 'MG, the Birmingham based carmaker will begin producing its first new car in 15 years, and from 2011 relaunch in the UK as a 'value' brand.'

'We've got to get across the ideas of having a great past with a bright, exciting future,' Guy Jones, MG Motor's UK sales and marketing director told John Reed of the FT.

According to the FT, if the new MG6 model proves successful then production at the Longbridge site will be increased, giving new life to the site that was once one of Europe's largest car plants.

Image from Old Classic Car