George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, stresses the importance of UK hardware manufacture to the British economy during recent visit
George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has visited Nico Manufacturing’s production facility in Clacton, Essex.
Nico is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of hardware products for the Window and Door Industry, supplying a range of British-made friction hinges, locking systems and ancillary devices for uPVC, aluminium and timber windows, and a comprehensive range of Butt and Lift Off hinges for traditional door styles.
The company has been one of the largest employers in Clacton for over fifty years, with design, manufacture and finishing facilities on site.
Mr Osborne was visiting Clacton during the run up to the recent By Election, when previous Conservative MP Douglas Carswell subsequently won the seat for UKIP.
The Chancellor chose to visit Nico as one of the major employers in the area and an example of growing and successful UK manufacture. During his tour of the site he took time to visit every part of the business, including the R&D Department, Tool Room, Production Area and Finishing Plant.
In the Tool Room, which designs and produces tools for all the Nico hardware, Mr Osborne took the opportunity to speak with two Nico apprentices, discussing their training programme and the opportunities that the Modern Apprenticeship scheme offers.
At the end of his tour, The Chancellor congratulated Nico on its success – in both home and export markets – and stressed the importance of retaining UK manufacture of hardware products, vital for the growing building and construction. He also reiterated how much manufacturing still contributes to the British economy.
