MP Accepts Invite to Visit Mantec

As widely reported in industry and political circles, last month the Labour (Co-op) MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Gareth Snell, hosted a parliamentary event to highlight to government the importance of the UK’s ceramics sector. This was on behalf of Ceramics UK (www.ceramics-uk.org) and was sponsored by AMRICC (www.amricc.com).

Mantec Technical Ceramics was represented at this important forum – a welcome opportunity to have discussions on frontline issues directly with parliamentarians – which our director did with the MPs present, including the Rt Hon Liam Byrne, Chair of the House of Commons Business & Trade Select Committee.

Gareth Snell expressed an interest in visiting Mantec to better understand the nature of our business, the challenges we encounter, and how government can most effectively offer its assistance. We were delighted to extend an invitation to Gareth and he has been with us today to get an insight into our operations.

Gareth was impressed with the extremely wide range of materials and products manufactured by Mantec, which enable other crucial UK and international industries, such as aerospace, energy, defence and the wider ceramics sectors, to enhance their processes, increase efficiency, and achieve the highest possible quality and performance levels.

Mantec’s ceramic-based lines are processed at high temperatures, predominantly using natural gas (like most of the UK ceramics industry) and so together we have been pushing for government support on UK gas prices which, notably, its recently unveiled industrial strategy neglected to address.

An irony, not lost on Gareth Snell we’re sure, is that these very products enable both manufacturing companies and consumers to reduce their energy consumption and transition to the use of sustainable electricity, a goal that is firmly in line with overall government strategy.

It was a pleasure for our Sales Director, Tim Evans, to host Gareth today, to see in person all the efforts we are making in advanced techniques and customised design and manufacture. We thank him for setting time aside to visit the Mantec facility.

We remain hopeful that the full value of UK ceramics manufacturing will be recognised within all areas of government, and that steps will be taken to alleviate some of the undue burdens – particularly on the energy front – that this important industry faces.