INNOVATION IN FACTORIES

"Innovation doesn't just happen in laboratories by researchers. It happens on the factory floor. The process of making stuff helps you experiment and produce new products. If everything is made in China, people there will gain the skills, knowledge and experience to innovate. And we will be left behind."

Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical Co., and author of Make it in America, in Time Magazine, February 6, 2012, p25.

-

Footnote: Obviously Mr Liveris' quote was not intended to be applied to Britain. However, I do think it is pertinent.

Photo from the Brompton factory visit, taken in March 2011

WEEKLY DIGEST

An interview with Irish basket weaver Kathleen McCormick (Makers & Brothers)

British manufacturers enjoyed a strong start to 2012 (Guardian)

British manufacturers (including Numatic, makers of Henry vacuum cleaners) are moving production of components back to the UK in a trend known as 'reshoring' (FT)

90% of London 2012 Olympics merchandise made abroad (Telegraph)

Also, on a related note: according to this article in Time, if Americans spent $3.33 on US made products each week, almost 10,000 new jobs would be created. I wonder if it is a similar story here in Britain.

Inside the Cooper & Stollbrand factory, Manchester (Selectism)

-

For further UK manufacturing stories, see Make it British's round up of the recent retail and fashion news

Photo of Kathleen McCormick from Makers & Brothers

WEEKLY DIGEST

The East End clothing industry's demise, from the perspective of a sewing machine rental company.

In the States, manufacturing is providing new jobs.

Nick Clegg touched on manufacturing in his speech at the CBI annual dinner this week.