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 (pictured).
During the tour, Ms Smith viewed a £2 million 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 Ms Smith 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 the MP 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.”
Ms Smith 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.”
