Trade Minister makes first visit to Yorkshire

The Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Davies of Abersoch, has made his first official visit to the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Lord Davies visited precision heavy engineering company Davy Markham of Darnall Works, Sheffield, during a one day tour of the region aimed at encouraging companies to export and internationalise ahead of the economic upturn.

Met by chairman, Ian Forbes, managing director, Kevin Parkin and production director, John Watson, the Minister toured the works which manufacture products for a wide range of industries including steel processing, nickel and gold mining, tunnelling, hydro power and nuclear energy. He also met some of the company’s 18 apprentices and the Joint Shop Stewards Committee (JSSC).

The company, which works closely with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), has built a considerable trade overseas, supplying the largest ever steel mill stand for China, cutter heads for the Niagara Falls hydroelectric project and a double drum hoist for gold mining in Canada.

Whilst in Sheffield, Lord Davies also visited the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, a multi-million pound partnership in the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Catcliffe, Rotherham, combining the scientific excellence, expertise and technological innovation of both the world’s leading aerospace company and research within the University of Sheffield’s faculty of engineering.

Earlier in the day the Minister visited Leeds to meet with representatives of Yorkshire Forward and Leeds Financial Services Initiative (LFSI).

Lord Davies took up his post as Minister for Trade and Investment in January 2009.