MG ROVER GROUP WINS NATIONAL AWARD
07 July 2004 - MG Rover

At a packed awards ceremony, MG Rover Group, was announced the winner of the Manufacturing Foundation Award for the Best Partnership between Business and Education in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers'' (IMechE) prestigious Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2004.

The ceremony, hosted by BBC news reporter Fergal Keane, was attended by over 500 senior engineers to reward and celebrate the best of British manufacturing and engineering.

James Bentley, Director of the Manufacturing Foundation said: ''The effort MG Rover puts in with primary and secondary school children is quite outstanding. Let''s hope that the excellent example they have set encourages other manufacturers to get involved with schools near them.

''It is also encouraging to see that it''s not just large companies that are committed to working with education. Two smaller manufacturers, Gripple Ltd and Alitex Ltd, were commended at the award ceremony in London, demonstrating just what can be achieved with limited resources and a lot of enthusiasm.''

John Ling, IMechE Technical Manager, commented: ''MG Rover Group were seen from early in the judging process as the favourites for this award. They formed effective business partnerships with clients and suppliers to ensure a successful and innovative company. This dedication, professionalism and attention to detail has continued into their community and education partnerships. MG Rover has effectively engaged the workforce who take the time and trouble to speak, and enthuse, local school children about engineering. They are an organisation which demonstrates the best of investment into their local community.''

Chris Bowen, Operations Director at MG Rover Group, commented: ''On behalf of all my colleagues here at Longbridge, winning the IMechE National Manufacturing Foundation Award that recognises the partnership between business and education, is a great honour. We pride ourselves in supporting local and national communities with a wide range of educational development activities and this success recognises the commitment and enthusiasm shown throughout the company.''

Chris continued: ''Our education partnerships are diverse; we hold factory tours, assist with curriculum development, provide work experience, teacher placements, apprenticeships and personal development for our workforce.''

The guest speaker for the evening was Nigel Griffiths MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business and Enterprise, who highlighted a number of new initiatives being implemented to encourage prosperity in UK manufacturing.

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