Karl Robson, HR manager of
Guardian Industries explains
the benefits of foreign
investment in the region
Yorkshire Forward attracted
unprecedented levels oF
investment into the region last
Year – and it isn’t taking its Foot
oFF the gas in 2009. inForm reports.
INVESTING
WISELY.
January 2009 sees the launch of Yorkshire Theresa Lindsay, Yorkshire Forward’s
Forward’s ‘Share our Strength’ new Foreign assistant director – marketing and business
GOOLE’S GLASS GAIN.
Direct Investment (FDI) campaign. The
development, says: “There’s no doubt that
Worldwide manufacturer Guardian
campaign is focused on attracting new
the current financial situation will have
Industries has further demonstrated
investment to the Yorkshire and Humber
a sobering effect on investment plans in
its commitment to the Yorkshire and
region, generating new jobs, opportunities
2009 and beyond. With more businesses
Humber region with the launch of a
and above all aimed at raising the profile of
balancing the need for capital investment
new £6 million laminating line at its
the region and local economy.
against the drive for efficiency, it’s crucial
that we promote the strengths of our region
Goole plant.
Targeting the environmental technologies, now more than ever.
The US company’s £100 million float
healthcare, and advanced engineering “We are still seeing movement in a
glass facility in Goole began production
and metals sectors, the campaign utilises number of our fastest growing sectors
in 2003, with the help of Regional
a news platform to highlight the region’s and the quality of the knowledge-driven
Assistance grants of £4 million from
accomplishments to key global decision- investments coming through is very high.
Yorkshire Forward. It now employs
makers. Over the four-month campaign OCO Global, the leading authority on FDI
more than 300 people, most of whom
period it is anticipated that approximately 1.7 predicts the number of environmental
live in the town and surrounding area.
million people will see the campaign in print projects in the UK is going to treble over
The state-of-the-art laminating
and almost five million will view it online. the next decade and the region is seeing a
line means the plant can now produce
In addition, a further 450,000 readers of huge number of enquiries in environmental
Guardian LamiGlass, a safety glass
the Financial Times will see the campaign technology and renewable energies.
often used in hotels, schools and
in a bespoke report on the region, rolling “The recession will make attracting FDI
storefronts. HR manager Karl Robson
out across the globe. Supporting this is a more difficult, with all investments being
said: “We chose to invest in Goole
specifically designed mini-site, produced contested, but that means we just have to
because of its good infrastructure and
jointly by Yorkshire Forward and the FT work harder and this campaign underlines
it is pretty central to the UK’s glass
digital team, which further supports the our commitment to pushing forward.”
market around the M62 corridor. The
campaign and the region’s strengths – the The recently revamped Invest in Yorkshire
area has a skilled workforce, good rail
first of its kind in the UK. website and the campaign mini-site offer
links for bringing in sand and good
Investinyorkshire.com will play host decision-makers accessible information
road links for distributing glass.
to the mini-site, which showcases news about the region and Yorkshire Forward’s
“The new line enables us to tap into
articles of global business interest with a services, so that they can form a positive
new markets as part of our national
specific spotlight on businesses from opinion of Yorkshire and Humber as a
expansion programme, which will
our region. location for business.
mean more local jobs for local people
The campaign aims to demonstrate The site features investment case
− not only our direct employees but
that, despite current economic pressures, studies and details of priority sectors plus
also through related employment such
Yorkshire and Humber is a strong base for information about our cities, logistics,
as our contract security, cleaning
global businesses. transport and economy.
and transport services.”
page 7
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