WEEKLY DIGEST

Mark Adams of Vitsoe on why 'Recycling is a Defeat' - a fascinating speech (Vitsoe)

'Make little and make often: ideas for the future of manufacturing in the UK' from Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino (Designswarm)

"The UK has failed to capitalise on its rich manufacturing heritage," says German manufacturer (Independent)

Hiut Denim (in Wales) has started production and they have a factory cam. There is also lots of other interesting material on the site to explore (Hiut Denim)

An interview with Ally Capellino (Norse Store)

The Lost London Flickr page highlights some buildings that have since been demolished, including the Forman salmon factory in Hackney Wick (Boat Magazine)

WEEKLY DIGEST

Following a brief hiatus over Christmas and the new year, it's a bumper digest of UK manufacturing stories this week.

On the success of German manufacturing (Guardian)

UK manufacturing has reasons to be optimistic in 2012 (The Manufacturer)

UK manufacturing sector stagnant (Guardian)

Bentley posts 37% surge in sales (Guardian)

Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce records record sales thanks to Asian market (Guardian)

Welsh clothing label Howies is going independent once again (Howies)

Brands look to rebuild British textile industry (MEN)

Martin Parr's Black Country Stories opens on 20th January at The New Art Gallery Walsall (Multistory)

Open call for Designers in Residence 2012 (Design Museum)

A lovely profile of expert joiner Dave Thompson (Spitalfields Life)

Inside the Efgeeco factory, Balham (Andrews of Arcadia Scrapbook)

Picture from Spitalfields Life

'INSPIRING AND DEPRESSING'

Before leaving work this evening I tore a piece from The Daily Telegraph. I believe it is by Rupert Christiansen but my clipping technique left me with only his forename.

In this sidebar piece Rupert (apologies to Mr Christiansen if it was not his work), talks of 'German industrial excellence' alongside the British manufacturing culture that 'is one of corner cutting and quick profit, which ultimately leaves the landfill sites full of broken down plastic rubbish.'

Rupert ends by stating that 'the best travel clock, the best food mixer, the best iron, with the clearest dials and crispest switches are German every time.' One would like to point him in the direction of similarly crisp and clear designs from the likes of British manufacturers Anglepoise and Dualit.

However, I do admit to having a large soft spot for the work of Dieter Rams and therefore am permitted to include the picture above.