MP Kwasi Kwarteng, Minister for Exiting the European Union, has visited advanced manufacturer, AMETEK Airtechnology Group to find out how a government-backed improvement programme has helped secure contracts and win more business.

AMETEK specialises in designing and custom-building thermal management and motion control components for the aerospace, defence, oil, gas and rail industries and is headquartered at Sunbury-on-Thames in Mr Kwarteng’s Spelthorne constituency.

Mr Kwarteng toured the company’s shop floor, meeting the teams who are contributing to aircraft programmes, such as the Airbus A350 and the Joint Strike Fighter F-35 Lightning II, and discussed progress with managing director Sheraz Ahmed and Sharing in Growth’s business transformation team.

Said Mr Ahmed: The Sharing in Growth programme has enabled us to be more competitive so that we can win contracts and expand our business. The training, processes and skills they have helped embed into our business are key enablers to supporting our growth ambitions.  It’s vital to the on-going success of UK manufacturing and engineering that the UK government continues to support programmes such as Sharing in Growth and is mindful of how other governments give their industries a competitive advantage by ensuring that supply contracts stay in their countries.

Mr Kwarteng said: “I was fascinated to see how a Sunbury-based firm is competing internationally and is developing and sustaining world-class capability and skills with the support of Sharing in Growth.”

Andy Page, CEO of Sharing in Growth, said: We are delighted that AMETEK had the opportunity to demonstrate how our government-backed programme is driving up competitiveness and securing highly valued advanced manufacturing jobs for this generation and the next. For our industry to continue to thrive, we need to help companies accelerate lifelong learning and support the pipeline from the next generation, appealing to rich diversity in our country.

Sharing in Growth has this month launched a new initiative to support STEM teaching by role models in schools and is also a signatory to the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter, a campaign for improved gender balance.

AMETEK, which employs around 300 people at sites in Sunbury and Penge in South London, was selected for Sharing in Growth in 2014 and has worked with the programme’s experts to transform its capability and performance. The company has now been invited by Mr Kwarteng to participate in the Spelthorne Skills & Careers Fair 2019 in September where leading employers and skills providers meet with more than 500 local job seekers and students. AMETEK is also taking its international export drive to the Paris Air Show next month (17-23 June, Le Bourget, Paris).

Companies interested in joining the Sharing in Growth programme should visit www.sig-uk.org/apply.