Vince Cable visits Lancashire

By LBV

09 Aug 2012

Vince Cable visited Lancashire to pay his compliments to two Lancashire businesses and the Regenerate Pennine Lancashire programme.

Lucite International which designs, develops and manufactures acrylic-based products was awarded £2.2m in the second round of the Regional Growth Fund. The project, to install a fourth production line facility at the company’s Darwen plant, will protect and create a total of over 190 jobs with an additional 60 jobs created in the wider supply chain.

The business secretary also visited engineering firm WEC Group, which has benefited from Regenerate Pennine Lancashire support.

Regenerate Pennine Lancashire has been awarded £7.5m from the fund in round two to help manufacturing enterprises in Lancashire. The funding is expected to create 3,000 jobs in the county’s supply chain and help firms to bring forward investment for expansion projects.

Vince Cable said: “It was a pleasure to meet staff at Lucite International and see the construction of their new production line. I am confident that their new facilities will help them expand their UK production and create more jobs for the area – key objectives of the Regional Growth Fund.

“My visit to WEC Group shows the role that government partnerships can play in helping manufacturing and local enterprise. Regenerate Pennine Lancashire clearly has the right knowledge and expertise to pick those firms that, with a bit of help, can attract private investment and unlock growth for the future.

“The work of WEC Group also highlights the value of a skilled workforce including local apprentices. As they have shown, British manufacturing and quality engineering has a big role to play in domestic and international markets. I wish them every success for the future.”

Lucite International Materials general manager Rowena Sellens said: “This investment reflects Lucite International's commitment to world class competitive manufacturing in our Darwen factory, which will ensure we maintain our leading European market position.”

Regenerate Pennine Lancashire chairman Dennis Mendoros said: “The Regional Growth Fund will enable us to help high-growth businesses like the WEC Group expand. This will allow our businesses to compete on a national and international basis, helping to create new jobs and opportunities for people as a result."

WEC Group Director, Wayne Wild said of the fund: “The £142,000 grant we secured helped us invest in much needed extra capacity which has allowed us to create 40 new jobs in our Laser division and grow the business by more 30 per cent year-on-year.

“Investment is what guarantees sustainability for manufacturing companies, and any initiative aiming at boosting British manufacturing should be praised.”
 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

University recognises adidas curator Gary Aspden

University recognises adidas curator

11 Jul 2025

2

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit Coolkit Vans

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit

11 Jul 2025

3

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton Story Homes plans

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton

11 Jul 2025

4

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

5

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin