Miller welcome MP on flying visit

Transport Secretary visits North East manufacturer to discuss benefits of proposed Heathrow expansion

EARTHMOVING attachments manufacturers Miller UK have welcomed the Secretary of State for Transport to their manufacturing facility in north-east England to discuss the benefits of the proposed Heathrow expansion project.

The Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP visited the facility in Cramlington the day after the Government announced it would be backing the project, to meet staff from the company, which has long supported the project.

During the visit he met with members of Miller’s senior management team, including chairman Keith Miller and managing director Mike Askew, as well as a number of employees in the factory. He was keen to understand the effect the project would have on the construction equipment manufacturer.

The Transport Secretary was also given an extensive tour of Miller’s state-of-the-art facility, which has undergone a multi-million-pound investment in the last 18 months, with new equipment installed to create a smarter manufacturing operation to meet the ever-changing needs of the marketplace.

Mr Grayling commented: ‘The benefits of Heathrow expansion to the ‎North East are clear; jobs, skills and trade. It will help deliver an economy that works for everyone.

‘Companies like Miller International demonstrate the real and lasting opportunities for small businesses from expansion at Heathrow, which will create new opportunities to export around the globe‎ and which could also see them benefit from the construction of the runway itself, by supplying industry with the tools it needs.’

Mike Askew added: ‘Miller have supported investment at Heathrow Airport and the construction of a third runway for many years. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to show the Transport Secretary around our facility and discuss the positive effect that the decision will have on not just our company, but the wider industry as well.

‘Major infrastructure projects like this are the lifeblood of the construction industry and this will have a huge knock-on effect on the entire supply chain, including construction equipment manufacturers like ourselves. It is going to give the industry a much-needed boost after what has been a difficult few years.’