Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP

By Rob Kelly

23 Dec 2024

Grant McGeever and Sarah Smith MP

A manufacturing boss whose business makes machinery for global brands shared his thoughts on industry skills gaps and the breadth of work available to British manufacturers with his local MP.

Grant McGeever, managing director of Rospen Industries in Haslingden, welcomed Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith to his factory to meet staff and view orders being worked on.

During the tour, Sarah Smith viewed a £2m order of dosing machinery built for Cavendish Nuclear, which will assist with the UK’s decommissioning targets.

Grant, who took over as managing director from his father, Tony, in 2023, told Sarah that the future is bright for the manufacturing sector as demand for British-made products soars. And he said there is potential for even more growth, but only with the right skills.

 Grant said: “One of the hardest parts of running a manufacturing business is recruitment. We have some fantastic talent within the business and there’s enough work available out there to be able to grow even further if we have more people entering the manufacturing industry. 

 “We want people with the right skills who are committed to staying with Rospen and helping us grow together.”

The business, which specialises in machinery for the food, chemical and wastewater sectors, welcomed Sarah to tour its factory and meet staff to discuss the opportunities in their sector and any challenges they face.

 Rospen’s equipment is made for diverse uses, from handling the nougat that goes into Toblerone and the flavourings for crisps, as well as for dosing at wastewater treatment sites.

 The business, which employs 50 people, partners with Burnley College to offer apprenticeships and Grant said other businesses have a responsibility to do what they can to boost skills in the sector.

He said: “Our supply chain is made up of local businesses, so we support jobs in the community beyond Rospen, which is why I don’t want to outsource abroad.

“We employ apprentices on a HNC and then we fund them to go onto the HND, which we believe is the right thing to do and it means they have the skills the business needs. I think if other manufacturers did the same – paid for that extra qualification, as an industry, everyone would have the level of skill needed and we’d be able to take advantage of more growth opportunities.”

Sarah thanked Grant and the team for hosting the visit, saying the business plays a crucial role in the global market.

She said: “It’s amazing to hear the variety of businesses Rospen works with around the world and see the wealth of expertise in my constituency. This government is committed to supporting businesses on their journey because that’s how we’re going to keep people in jobs and there are a few issues Grant has told me that I’ll be taking back to Parliament.”

It comes after Lancashire Business View reported has annual turnover of around £10m.

One of Grant’s immediate plans on taking over was to grow its export sales in Central Europe.

Long-term he is also looking to move the business into a new facility, moving the operation onto a single site, but he adds that ambition is some way off.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin