Brompton Bikes is an iconic London brand – they make over 45,000 bikes a year and are the UK’s largest bike manufacturer, exporting to 45 countries.
The London Assembly Economy Committee will tomorrow visit Brompton to discuss what the major challenges facing the manufacturing sector are and what the Mayor or the next Mayor can do to better support small and medium-sized manufacturers.
The Committee will also visit the Central Research Laboratory in Hayes, which is an incubator space for innovative manufacturing businesses in London. A broad range of products are manufactured there, from robot hands and walking aids, to children’s construction toys.
- 135,000 people work in manufacturing in London – the same as the working population of Newcastle upon Tyne.
- Large scale industrial manufacturing has declined in London, however small and medium-sized manufacturers are showing real growth due to advances in technology.
- There has been a growth in demand for bespoke, high quality goods in recent years, particularly by high-end retailers and consumers, creating a desire for manufacturing to be based within London.
- But how will rising property prices, potential changes in permitted development rights and a lack of skilled labour affect manufacturing in London?
MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE SITE VISIT
Spokespeople available:
- Fiona Twycross AM, Chair of the Economy Committee.
- Will Butler-Adams, CEO, Brompton Bicycle Ltd.
- Apprentices, Brompton Bicycle Ltd.
- James Nettleton, Programme Director, Central Research Laboratory.
Locations:
Brompton Bicycle Ltd., Kew Bridge DC, Lionel Road South, Brentford, London, TW8 9QR
Central Research Laboratory, 252 Blyth Rd, Hayes, Greater London, UB3 1HA
Date and time: Tuesday 8 December, Brompton from 9:00am and Central Research Laboratory from 11:00am
Closest railway stations: Kew Bridge (for Brompton) and Hayes & Harlington (for Central Research Laboratory)
Notes to editors
- In 2013 Brompton’s turnover was £21m and since 2002, the number of staff has grown from 24 to 240.
- The Central Research Laboratory (CRL) is located at The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes and is an incubator space for manufacturing entrepreneurs. Eleven start-ups are based at the CRL and they benefit from a range of support including high-tech equipment and mentoring.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.