A manufacturer in Coventry says the latest national output figures reflect what is happening on the ground in the region.
Former Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce president Doug Squires, of component maker Squires Gear and Engineering, said that the 3.2 per cent rise in output in July was positive for the economy.
He said that firms such as his, which supply a range of automotive companies worldwide, are having to work harder to win new business but that the rewards are there.
Squires said: “We are extremely busy at the moment. August is always quieter for us as a business because we do a great deal of work with mainland Europe and many companies over there shut down during the final month of summer.
“But we are starting to see schedules return and orders coming in. We are currently pitching for a very exciting new contract that would be very good for business.
“So from our point of view, the improved figures are very welcome and also bear out what we are seeing.”
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, agreed.
She said: “There is still more that can be done to help our manufacturers and while the July figures were excellent, they follow a very sharp decline in June.
“That said, here in Coventry and Warwickshire there are many thriving manufacturers and it is great to see these figures because confidence is key in the current climate.
“Government needs to help them build on this and introduce measures such as a state-backed business bank and also offer even greater support for export to assist our manufacturers in the short, medium and long term.”
