Manufacturing event helps connect the county supply chain

More than 60 of Lancashire’s top manufacturers gathered at the Samlesbury Hotel to discuss collaboration, leadership and growth within one of the county’s key sectors.

The Question Time-style panel event was hosted by Lancashire Business View, in association with Natwest and RSM, and was the first in a series of Supply Chain Connect events.

Peter Birch, who is a chartered engineer with more than 20 years’ experience within food manufacturing, said: “Collaboration between competitors could save a lot of money when you look at things like delivery and sharing transport, but trust could take a long time to build up.

Tony Holt, whose double Queen’s Award-winning firm is a world leading sports paint manufacturer, said: “We don’t use universities enough and there is such a big pool of skills and knowledge.

Martin Spring, who specialises in supply chain management and operations strategies, said: “Collaboration across supply chains is an increasingly important issue, with a better share of knowledge leading to better practice.

Liam Ferguson, who is also chairman of Chorley-based specialist nuclear design consultancy, North West Projects, said: “Manufacturing is the pride of the country, of Lancashire and it’s something we’re very good at.

“The real challenge is that the middle managers are under-trained and that we lack passion at a leadership level that is needed to raise people’s performances.”

“Collaboration is essential however, and I regularly go to other firms to see how they manage things like staff and recruitment. We can all help and learn from each other in that way.”

Kevin Duffy, Preston office managing partner at RSM, added: “25 per cent of our clients are in the manufacturing sector so it would be foolish not to put the spotlight on it. We want to help those in the sector to connect and learn something new.”