Vince Cable visits Lancashire

By LBV

09 Aug 2012

Vince Cable visited Lancashire to pay his compliments to two Lancashire businesses and the Regenerate Pennine Lancashire programme.

Lucite International which designs, develops and manufactures acrylic-based products was awarded £2.2m in the second round of the Regional Growth Fund. The project, to install a fourth production line facility at the company’s Darwen plant, will protect and create a total of over 190 jobs with an additional 60 jobs created in the wider supply chain.

The business secretary also visited engineering firm WEC Group, which has benefited from Regenerate Pennine Lancashire support.

Regenerate Pennine Lancashire has been awarded £7.5m from the fund in round two to help manufacturing enterprises in Lancashire. The funding is expected to create 3,000 jobs in the county’s supply chain and help firms to bring forward investment for expansion projects.

Vince Cable said: “It was a pleasure to meet staff at Lucite International and see the construction of their new production line. I am confident that their new facilities will help them expand their UK production and create more jobs for the area – key objectives of the Regional Growth Fund.

“My visit to WEC Group shows the role that government partnerships can play in helping manufacturing and local enterprise. Regenerate Pennine Lancashire clearly has the right knowledge and expertise to pick those firms that, with a bit of help, can attract private investment and unlock growth for the future.

“The work of WEC Group also highlights the value of a skilled workforce including local apprentices. As they have shown, British manufacturing and quality engineering has a big role to play in domestic and international markets. I wish them every success for the future.”

Lucite International Materials general manager Rowena Sellens said: “This investment reflects Lucite International's commitment to world class competitive manufacturing in our Darwen factory, which will ensure we maintain our leading European market position.”

Regenerate Pennine Lancashire chairman Dennis Mendoros said: “The Regional Growth Fund will enable us to help high-growth businesses like the WEC Group expand. This will allow our businesses to compete on a national and international basis, helping to create new jobs and opportunities for people as a result."

WEC Group Director, Wayne Wild said of the fund: “The £142,000 grant we secured helped us invest in much needed extra capacity which has allowed us to create 40 new jobs in our Laser division and grow the business by more 30 per cent year-on-year.

“Investment is what guarantees sustainability for manufacturing companies, and any initiative aiming at boosting British manufacturing should be praised.”
 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

REVEALED: Red Rose Awards 2025 winners RRA25 winners pic

REVEALED: Red Rose Awards 2025 winners

14 Mar 2025

2

Cabinet members to consider local government reorganisation Lancashire County Council County Hall

Cabinet members to consider local government reorganisation

13 Mar 2025

3

Council Committee approved the boundary for the first phase of Central Housing Regeneration Scheme The boundary image for the regeneration

Council Committee approved the boundary for the first phase of Central Housing Regeneration Scheme

13 Mar 2025

4

Leyland Trucks celebrates 10,000th DAF XB production milestone Leyland Trucks celebrates 10,000th DAF XB production milestone

Leyland Trucks celebrates 10,000th DAF XB production milestone

12 Mar 2025

5

Lisa Goodwin-Allen to leave Northcote after 23 years Lisa Goodwin Allen

Lisa Goodwin-Allen to leave Northcote after 23 years

12 Mar 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV121 March/April Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
20 Mar 2025

LBV121 March/April Launch Event

The Whitakers Museum, Rossendale, BB4 6RE

08:30 - 10:30

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Seasons of Leadership - Spring
jeremy-thomas-FO7bKvgETgQ-unsplash.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Webinar
18 Mar 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Seasons of Leadership - Spring

Online, Trawden, BB8 8SW

19:00 - 21:00

Live Work Create: Creative Placemaking.
LiveWorkCreate .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
18 Mar 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Live Work Create: Creative Placemaking.

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (18).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Mar 2025 - 20 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The Marketing MeetUp Lancashire
TMM Lancs 30th Jan.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
25 Mar 2025 - 25 Mar 2025

The Marketing MeetUp Lancashire

The Chubby Duck, Rawtenstall, BB4 6AJ

18:00 - 20:00

Spring Statement 2025 LIVE: Insights with PM+M
Spring Statement 2025 LIVE for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Mar 2025 - 26 Mar 2025

Spring Statement 2025 LIVE: Insights with PM+M

Blackburn Rovers, Blackburn, BB2 4JF

12:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: March
Freelancer Meet-Up March.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
27 Mar 2025 - 27 Mar 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: March

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

SPARK - The Apprenticeship Marketplace
SPARK24.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
27 Mar 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

SPARK - The Apprenticeship Marketplace

Foster Social Space, University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Tech Connection April Meet-Up: Secret Lives of Alogrithms
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai-7.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Apr 2025 - 01 Apr 2025

Preston Tech Connection April Meet-Up: Secret Lives of Alogrithms

Society1, Coworking Space , Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin