Demand for coalition to buy British wares
CERAMICS firms are calling on the Government to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to supporting British manufacturing.
It comes after Stoke-on-Trent manufacturers attended a trade show in China – and discovered that the British Consulate there was using crockery from Thailand.
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Kevin Oakes, chief executive of Middleport tableware specialist Steelite, launched a Made in England, Made for Life campaign.
Meanwhile Kevin Oakes, chief executive of Middleport tableware specialist Steelite, has revealed a lunch held by Business Secretary Vince Cable to launch the Government-backed Made By Britain campaign was served from French porcelain.
Sentinel Business reported last week that a group of Stoke-on-Trent ceramic technology firms had attended the Ceramics China show.
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On a subsequent visit to the British Consulate in the area, Adrian Allen, managing director of Blurton-based marketing and testing services firm Anderen, discovered it was using overseas tableware.
Mr Allen said: "My view is that British consulates should be using British products, because they are supposed to be promoting British interests abroad.
"The argument that it's too expensive frankly doesn't wash with me."
Mr Allen said he hopes the incident can be turned into an opportunity for Stoke-on-Trent manufacturers.
"I have already spoken to the Consulate General about sourcing some locally-made ceramics, and he also asked us if we could find some quality British-made products to give as gifts."
Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt has written to Foreign Secretary William Hague about the issue.
He said: "It does not seem to me too much to expect that our official overseas outposts procure the best of British-manufactured goods made in Stoke-on-Trent."
Mr Oakes believes the problem extends to Government buildings in the UK as well as overseas.
In 2010 Steelite, which employs more than 700 people at its Orme Street factory, launched a Made in England, Made for Life campaign to highlight the region's world-class manufacturers.
Mr Oakes said: "Last year I attended the Made By Britain launch which was a lunch given by Vince Cable down at Portcullis House at Parliament.
"The whole point of it was to raise the profile of British manufacturing so It was hugely disappointing for me that the lunch was served on French porcelain."
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesman said: "The FCO is aware that the use of British made products offers an important opportunity to show visitors what we have to offer.
"Our guidance to our overseas posts is to buy British products, where they are available and will represent value for money. Importing weighty products, like crockery, can be very expensive and so other items in an Embassy or High Commission might be British-made instead."
Should the Government do more to support British manufacturing? Email us at businessdesk@thesentinel.co.uk
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