Yesterday. Mark brought together a group to discuss the future of Brinton's 651 technology. These advanced looms, cutting edge in the carpet weaving industry, are potentially at risk as the Portuguese government lures the company to relocate to Portugal.
Mark organised a meeting between Brinton's management, the Community Union, the Carpet Foundation and business minster Mark Prisk MP. The objective of the meeting was to explore ways that the British government could narrow the financial gap between what is being offered by the Portuguese and what can be offered in the UK.
Mark said: "The meeting was very productive. The technology we are talking about has been 200 years in the making and the Minister agreed that this is not just important for Kidderminster: it is important for the UK. It is vital that we keep hold of our leading intellectual assets.
"Finding a solution is far from straightforward, but Mark Prisk has agreed to help draw together some strands that may well close the gap. There is more work to be done, but there is a strong commitment by all that we must explore every avenue to keep Kidderminster as the global centre of leading carpet technology."
Photo l to r: Mark, Tony Pye, National Officer at Community Union, Mark Prisk, Minister for Business Innovation and Skills, Alan Woodburn, Brinton's Union, Don Coates, MD of Brinton's.