Chancellor calls in on Masterhitch

George Osborne visits Kent-based manufacturer as part of the Rochester and Strood by-election campaign

MASTERHITCH Europe Ltd, the Kent-based specialist manufacturers of heavy-duty excavator attachments, quick-hitches and buckets, played host to a visit by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, earlier this week (17 November).

During a private meeting with the company’s managing director, Hugh Edeleanu, and general manager, Neil Davis, the Chancellor was told about the increasing amount of ‘red tape’ and associated costs that UK businesses are having to comply with.

Mr Osborne was then taken on a tour of the factory on the Medway City Estate in Strood, during which he was shown the design and manufacturing processes used to create Masterhitch equipment, and met the workforce, including some of the company’s local apprentices who have learned advanced fabrication and welding skills, and are helping to rebuild Medway’s industrial heritage.

Mr Osborne’s visit on Monday was part of the Rochester and Strood by-election campaign, during which he was accompanied by Conservative candidate Kelly Tolhurst. The election itself is taking place today (20 November).

Hugh Edeleanu, who is also chairman of Masterhitch’s parent company, H.E. Services, commented: ‘It was a pleasure to have the Chancellor visit Masterhitch to see for himself some of the great British manufacturing and design work that is happening here in Medway, and to meet some of our young apprentices who are developing into professional engineers and fabricators.’