On 24th of November 2011, I was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister David Cameron to South Derbyshire. His visit marked the great news that not one, but two, manufacturers - Toyota and Nestle - will be expanding their businesses, resulting in the creation of 1800 jobs for the area.
I started the day by meeting Mr Cameron at the Toyota plant in Burnaston. Toyota announced that they are investing £100m in their new generation C-segment hatchbacks- including hybrid, petrol, and diesel models at their Burnaston factory making it Toyota’s sole European manufacturing centre.
The move will create up to 1,500 additional jobs in the next two years, with the first phase of 500 to be recruited in the middle of 2012.
Toyota’s announcement is such great news for the area and is evidence that the motor industry is going from strengh to strength, especially in South Derbyshire.
The Prime Minister also told the local media that:
"This investment and the jobs it will create provide a terrific boost not just to the local economy but to the whole country, and is a tribute to the great skill, hard work and sheer professionalism shown by the Toyota workforce. Toyota's commitment to the UK shows the growing strength of the UK car industry - it is our great British success story."
I couldn’t agree more. Toney Walker, the deputy managing director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK), also added:
“The decision to bring all production of new generation C-section hatchbacks to Burnaston reflects on the excellent work done by our members in delivering the highest standards in productivity and quality.”
After Toyota we took a short trip down the A50 and visited the Nestle factory in expanding Marston Lane, Hatton, where it was announced that Nestle will be investing £110m in this factory, which will create 300 jobs by trebling its production capacity for the manufacture of pods for its branded Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines with 12 new high-speed production lines.
This is another great announcement for South Derbyshire this investment could have gone to Spain, where Nestlé also has a coffee factory. But it came to South Derbyshire and I couldn't be prouder.
Paul Grimwood, Chairman and CEO, Nestlé UK & Ireland said:
“Over the past five years we have undertaken a multi-million pound investment programme in the UK, establishing our next generation of world class competitive manufacturing facilities. This investment in Tutbury will extend our best in class facility, trebling our production capacity for export to over 38 countries across the globe. In order to grow we need to innovate and we are committed to the continued modernisation of our UK manufacturing capability.”
“Recruiting the best people for our business is the key to our continued success. Through the Nestlé Academy we will double our number of apprentices, graduates and internships supporting the economy through the training of skilled workers . We will also provide on the job training which will open academic study to those who otherwise might not feel this is a route open to them.”
Mr Cameron said:
"This demonstrates what can be achieved by investing in capacity and people as Nestle has done consistently over recent years. The jobs created by this new investment will benefit both skilled workers and those leaving school who will be able to train in the workplace to become the skilled workers of the future.”
It was certainly a long day, but I couldn’t be prouder of all those involved, and I would like to congratulate both Toyota and Nestle and to all those down the supply chain who will benefit from these two incredible announcements. I know both organisations will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years.
In the photo from left to right is Mr Walker, Mr Kojima, Heather, Mr Cameron, and Mr Leroy.
