The meetings followed the minister's tour of the Construction Equipment Association's showcase at the Department of Business and Innovation Skills (BIS) at One Victoria Street London.
Companies and representatives present included Rob Oliver, CEA chief executive who also represented Datatag, Faiz Ahmad, vice president Terex, and Philip Bouverat, director, JCB.
The manufacturers met with the minister to discuss their products and their concerns in the industry, including the skill shortage in the construction sector and how more encouragement and incentives from the Government was needed for UK manufacturers to export.
Prisk said: “The construction equipment industry is one of the UK’s most dynamic sectors, and contributes £8.5 billion to our economy each year. Most people don’t realise that the UK is the second largest net exporter of construction equipment in the world. Over 75 per cent of products manufactured in the UK are exported to 150 countries world-wide. That is an impressive figure.
"This showcase is just one of the steps this Government is taking to demonstrate just how innovative and world-leading our manufacturing base is here in the UK, and change perceptions that as a country we don't make anything anymore.
“Image is important, but we also need to ensure that businesses get the support they need to grow. This is why we have rolled out initiatives such as the £125 million Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative and recently re-launched the Manufacturing Advisory Service."
Oliver said: “We were delighted when BIS approached the CEA to stage the first ever construction equipment industry showcase at its headquarters.
“There is a growing awareness that Britain’s construction equipment sector is a major force in manufacturing and worth billions to the UK economy; this showcase is the perfect platform to shout about just how ‘great’ Britain is.
“The ‘Constructing the Future’ showcase is also all about encouraging new blood into the industry. Engineers, skilled operators – there are huge opportunities in the UK construction equipment sector which currently employs more than 55,000 people.”
The Showcase is on until 25th May 2012. The showcase is underlining just how important the UK Construction Equipment Industry is to Britain’s economy and to promote the forthcoming Plantworx construction machinery exhibition.
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