Supercar manufacturer McClaren is to create almost 200 jobs in South Yorkshire, UK manufacturing chassis which are currently made in Europe and sent to the UK to form the basis of the assembly process. Why did McClaren choose South Yorkshire? Because South Yorkshire (and Sheffield in particular) has a history of investing in Advanced Manufacturing techniques and skills.
My colleague Tom Tuttle, a board member of the World Confederation of Productivity Science, in his recent book looked at the reasons why some areas in America were more successful in securing inward investment than others – and one key point to emerge was that manufacturers take factories (and jobs) to where the skills are.
So Sheffield snd South Yorkshire are getting a return on their investment and securing a manufacturing future for the region.
It is good to see their long-term commitment bearing fruit.