‘Doom and Gloom’ Has Been Overplayed In The UK, Says Business Leader

Reports of signs of recovery in sectors including manufacturing have been widely covered in recent weeks, with news of growth in some business areas. However, according to business leader Richard Close, the sector hasn’t actually been doing too badly over the last year or so.  Richard, the CEO of Briggs Equipment, believes the industry has talked down successes, almost talking itself into doom and gloom – and welcomes the newfound positivity which is being reported in the press.

“The doom and gloom that has been played out in recent years is understandable, as the financial climate has been challenging and has held particularly unpleasant consequences for many, and I am keen to acknowledge that.  However, things haven’t been as negative in the manufacturing sector in my experience, certainly not as much as reported.  We still have the skills, we just don’t talk about them enough,” said Richard, a business turnaround specialist

Some of the recent positive news about manufacturing growth has been the investment by Land Rover Jaguar into a new Midlands-based facility, Staffordshire becoming a centre for hi-tech manufacturing roles with a 45% job increase and results of a survey by Marketing Birmingham Regional Observatory, revealing that manufacturing was one of the areas showing the highest growth in the West Midlands. 

Richard added: “There’s so much positivity surrounding the sector now, and the Government’s efforts in helping business leaders with schemes such as new R&D ‘above the line’ tax relief, for both larger manufacturing firms and SMEs operating in the sector, will go a long way to helping emerging technologies come to market and secure jobs for many in the future.”

Briggs Equipment, a leading materials handling equipment supplier, enjoyed a tenfold profit increase in 2011 under Richard’s management, and he has achieved business transformation for three other loss-making companies, turning them into multi-million pound profit generators.   He is a firm believer in employee empowerment and challenging culture to effect positive change to support growth.

For further information about Richard Close visit www.richard-close.com.