The Prime Minister David Cameron and the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visit e2v to see Regional Growth Fund investment at work
On Tuesday 8th May the Prime Minister David Cameron and the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visited e2v, the leading provider of technology solutions for high performance systems, to see the positive contribution that investments from UK Regional Growth Fund (RGF) are making to the UK’s manufacturing and technology sectors.
Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg toured e2v’s ProWaveTM facility, which is directly benefiting from a £6million RGF grant. ProWave uses industrial scale microwave technology that is being developed entirely in the UK. It reduces energy usage and increases yields in the processing of bulk materials across a range of industries. Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg then toured a clean room facility. They met and spoke with employees, including some of e2v’s latest intake of apprentices and graduates working across e2v’s range of high precision products and services.
e2v is one of a group of companies whose success is a critical part of the economic wellbeing of the UK economy. Exporting approximately 70% of its UK output, and the UK based headquarters of a global high tech manufacturing and service organisation, with operational centres in the US and Europe, e2v is a true UK success story for export driven high technology manufacturing.
Keith Attwood, CEO of e2v, said “The RGF funding has made a significant contribution to our ability to accelerate investment and create jobs for our ProWave business, both within e2v and with our partners and suppliers.” He added “I hope that showing Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg where this money is being spent will demonstrate that the UK is getting a good return on the investment. This country has a proud history of successful manufacturing and technological innovation, which, through the efforts of companies like e2v, is alive and thriving and contributing to economic recovery. ”
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said “This has been a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the people in jobs created by Regional Growth Fund money and see the hi-tech kit that e2v have been able to invest in thanks to it. All in all 336 new jobs will be created at e2v and across its supply chain. Working with companies like e2v to create jobs and grow their business like this is key to our recovery”. Adding “For too long the UK economy has been too focused on the City of London. The Regional Growth Fund is helping companies across the country to grow their businesses and create jobs.”
Earlier this year Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, announced the award of the RGF award to e2v.The grant enabled investment in capacity and facilities to create jobs and increase design, engineering, manufacturing and test capabilities in their ProWave industrial processing systems.
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Andy Bennett Group Communications Manager
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About e2v
e2v is a leading global provider of specialist technology for high performance systems and equipment; delivering solutions, sub-systems and components for specialist applications within medical & science, aerospace & defence, and commercial & industrial markets. e2v has its headquarters in the UK, employs approximately 1500 people, has design and production facilities across Europe and North America, and has a global network of sales and technical support offices. For the year ended 31 March 2011, e2v reported sales of £229m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information visit e2v.com.