From time to time I enjoy spending a day visiting people in Dudley around a common theme. In recent years Ive explored the tourism offer, Universal Credit, social housing, elderly social care and the emergency services. Knowing of the pride in the Black Country for its manufacturing industries, a fascinating day was created which included visiting a leading foundry, seeing a plastic component factory and assembly line, learning about a small and medium sized business support company, seeing precision engineering at a testing centre, and feeling the soft leather of some high-end furniture.
I saw the old industries of the Black Country given amodern twist as molten metal was poured into complicated casts, the mostadvanced engineering skills being used to design new systems, and thehandcrafted construction of a chair from the leather being cut, through thesewing, upholstery and packaging destined for the executive lounges of DeltaAirlines in the States. In one factory I saw Aga components, Jaguarengine parts and man-hole covers being made. These big items were beingdesigned and made alongside the metal pieces for Monopoly.
I heard about the fears around Brexit, the precautionsthat businesses are taking, as well as the caution around not investing indevelopment just yet. We discussed the skills shortage and the work thatcompanies are doing to try to address this. I was shown how staff arecared for, and the importance of safety records and the care of the environment.
I reflect occasionally on the fact that Jesus firstjob was not as a preacher, teacher or healer. He worked first as a carpenterand spent years being formed in the family business. Much may well havebeen mundane, some would have been highly skilled and he would have needed torespond to the grain of the natural product in his hands. As he finishedan item, I wonder how he reacted? Imet people in the manufacturing sector in Dudley with a real pride in theirwork.
Dudley doesnt boast about its successesvery much and perhaps too often hides its light under a basket. There ismuch to be proud about and many good news stories to tell. It was greatto see such high quality items MADE IN DUDLEY.
