Mr. Moore was promoting several government initiatives aimed at increasing UK manufacturer’s competitiveness in foreign markets by meeting with business owners and employees in the region.

Figures released in early November indicated the local industry continued to grow despite turbulent overseas markets.

"Companies like Ampcontol Allenwest are an example of how the manufacturing sector had shown resilience and flexibility in a difficult economic climate to grow in the last financial quarter,” Moore said.

Visiting several manufacturing and technology facilities, Mr. Moore explained how new government initiatives like ‘Britain Open for Business’, a UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) program, were designed to help companies be competitive overseas by promoting trade and investment.

“That can only help the types of company I have visited this week, such as Ampcontrol Allenwest which is exporting its designs and products to mining and energy markets across the world,” he said.

Mr. Moore was shown around Ampcontrol Allenwest’s engineering and manufacturing facility by Jim Walker, International Business Development Manager, talking to apprentices, engineers and tradespeople and investigating the company’s product development and manufacturing capabilities.