Ian Paisley MP backs manufacturing in Northern Ireland

Paisley congratulates Michelin Tyre plant shortlisted for prestigious awards

5 September 2011

Ian Paisley MP has congratulated the Michelin Tyre plant in Ballymena, County Antrim following the company being shortlisted for a prestigious Manufacturing Excellence award.

Ian Paisley MP said:
“It is heartening to see the work Michelin Tyre is doing to ensure manufacturing remains at the heart of Ballymena’s economy and fantastic news that the company has been shortlisted for a Manufacturing Excellence Award.”
“Northern Ireland has a great manufacturing heritage but if we want to see Northern Ireland’s economy grow and prosper we need to inspire more young people to enter the industry by working with schools and universities like Michelin Tyre is doing.”

Michelin Tyre has been shortlisted for the Partnership with Education Award, which rewards companies for their success in exciting, inspiring and motivating the next generation of engineers and manufacturers through partnerships with schools, colleges, and universities.

Manufacturing Excellence assessors and moderators will be visiting Michelin Tyre’s Ballymena plant on Monday 5 September.

On Tuesday 6 September assessors and moderators will also be visiting Belfast-based marine, defence and aerospace survival technology manufacturer Survitec Group. Survitec Group has been shortlisted for the Most Improved Company Manufacturing Excellence Award.

Manufacturing Excellence, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, is the most successful and long established manufacturing awards programme in the UK, and the only one that provides a detailed benchmarking and assessment process to help improve manufacturing businesses.

As part of the Manufacturing Excellence programme companies are asked to conduct an in-depth self assessment and those who complete one or more of the eight parts receive a free, bespoke and confidential benchmark report. The best companies in each module receive a visit from a team of expert assessors who verify the audit responses and offer practical advice and suggestions for the business.  The winning companies in each category will receive an award at the Manufacturing Excellence Award Ceremony at the Dorchester in London on 23 November.

Manufacturing Excellence is supported by PwC, Autodesk, PP Business Improvement, The ERA Foundation, Lombard, WMG, Arup, and Barclays Corporate.