Focus SB to open its doors on National Manufacturing Day

Focus SB® will open up to its local community as part of Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day celebrations on 26 September 2024. East Sussex, United Kingdom, 2024-09-04

See first-hand the potential careers and jobs on offer with a ‘through the keyhole’ tour of the business.

The King's Awards for Enterprise winning premium electrical accessories manufacturer, Focus SB will open up to schools, colleges and the local community on National Manufacturing Day to showcase first-hand the variety of careers that are available in Britain’s manufacturing sector.

Tours are by pre-booked appointment only and during the day the company will put on a series of demonstrations designed to show what manufacturing is really about. Staff teams will be on hand to speak about what inspired them to take up a career in the sector and the opportunities that they have had to progress and train further.

The day is open to all age groups, from school leavers to more experienced workers looking at reskilling and it will also give companies the chance to let their whole community understand more about the businesses on their doorstep.

Focus SB has been part of the Hastings and St Leonards on Sea communities, manufacturing electrical accessories for over 44 years.

Local Labour Councillor and Hastings Mayor, Judy Rogers is to support the event together with Nick Hayler, Director of Member Services & Head of Building Electrical Systems at BEAMA, the UK trade association for manufacturers and providers of energy infrastructure technologies and systems.

Fhaheen Khan, Senior Economist at Make UK, the manufacturers' organisation in the UK is to attend the event at Focus SB's factory on the day. Mr Khan provides insights and analysis on various economic issues affecting the manufacturing sector, including the impact of government policies, economic trends, and challenges such as inflation and energy costs.

Mr Gary Stevens, MD of Focus SB said: “We are proud to be taking part in National Manufacturing Day for a second time, and pleased to be welcoming the Mayor of Hastings and Fhaheen from Make UK. I have been in manufacturing for over 43 years and started life as a technical apprentice. The future of any industry is the people and skills that underpin it and that is no more a true fact than in manufacturing and whilst there is still a requirement for the old traditional craftsman skills in manufacturing, there is a growing demand for people with IT skills, skills in robotics and AI, design and creative skills, sales and marketing skills, HR, accountancy and administrative skills. We look forward to welcoming the public on this year's National Manufacturing Day and showcasing the variety a career in manufacturing can offer.”

Commenting on National Manufacturing Day, Fhaheen said: “Manufacturing in the UK is one of the most diverse sectors around, contributing over £200bn to our nation annually. National Manufacturing Day is about showcasing that value and how this industry excels in creativity and innovation, whilst providing high quality jobs that, for many, lasts a lifetime.”

Places are now limited for a factory tour at Focus SB HQ, Napier Road, St Leonards on Sea in East Sussex. Those wishing to register please contact: Mrs Jo Cloute by email: jo@focus-sb.co.uk or call +44 (0)1424 858060 to book a guided tour and presentation.

All tours are by appointment only, deadline for bookings is 13th September. Remaining time slots available are: 9.00 to 10.00 and 16.00 to 17.00.

Ends

Editors notes

Focus SB® is an award winning innovative British manufacturer renowned for the design, development and specialist hand finishing of premium electrical wiring accessories, blending traditional artisan techniques with the latest technology; specified for world class hospitality and leisure resorts, prime residential developments, heritage buildings, royal residences, superyachts and commercial projects both domestically and internationally.

The King's Awards for Enterprise winner for excellence in International Trade in 2023, Focus SB made history in its industry in 2017 when the company became the first and only British and European manufacturer to gain CQC factory accreditation to supply and sell wiring accessories directly from Europe to China, also gaining full CCC licence for all of its products for the Chinese marketplace.

The company’s specialist capabilities include electrical accessory design, development and testing; bespoke metal plate design and manufacture; specialist metal finishing and complex supply chain project management. Focus SB commenced trading in 1979 and exports to Asia, the Middle East, Malta and West Africa. Projects include Aspen at Consort Place, Twenty Grosvenor Square, Belmond Cadogan Hotel, Corinthia London, Royal Lancaster London, Chelsea Barracks, No.1 Grosvenor Square, The Glebe, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, The Londoner Macao and Pudong Airport Satellite Terminal VIP lounges.

Focus SB is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by taking all appropriate measures to minimise any impact on the environment throughout the business from operational to manufacturing processes. The company's green energy investment plans have included solar panel, LED lighting and electric car charging points installation. Laser marking technology enables Focus SB to offer a standard alternative to screen printing, for improved fine detail quality and to significantly limit the use of environmentally damaging consumables and reduce waste.

Focus SB is a Disability Confident Employer since 2017 and is committed to creating equal opportunities and a diverse and inclusive workforce, seeing the company work closely with local charity Little Gate Supported Employment for over four years.

UK press contact: Suzi Baker, Balance Web Marketing +PR suzi@balancewebmarketing.co.uk