Morgan Motor Company today hosted Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, during a visit to the company’s Worcestershire headquarters and factory.
Morgan is one of approximately 10,000 mid-sized businesses in the UK. These businesses represent 0.2% of all UK firms yet account for around one fifth of private sector employment.
The Secretary of State was briefed on the latest tools and techniques used by Morgan to ensure that the company continues to be able to produce lightweight sports cars. From bonded aluminium chassis technology to super form body construction, staff explained how light-weighting can improve both fuel economy and chassis dynamics.
Vince Cable said, “Manufacturing makes a significant contribution to the UK economy. It generates half our exports and is responsible for much of our business research and development activity”.
Dr Cable also met three recent recruits to Morgan’s workforce. The first, Blake Bishop, is two years into his apprenticeship in metal fabrication and has a family connection through his father, Mick Bishop, who has worked for Morgan for the last nine years. The Business Secretary then spoke to Sam Mackintosh, who is completing a four year course at Worcester Technical College to attain NVQs in joinery. Finally, Michael Smith, who joined the design department at Morgan nine months ago, showcased the new Morgan website and car configurator, as well as marketing materials translated into Mandarin to support Morgan’s export strength through dealerships in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.
Find out more about automotive manufacturing in the UK on SMMT’s facts and statistics hub.