Duo welcomed Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna
to our Manchester polythene packaging factory on Wed 28th August.
Chuka Umunna MP visited Duo UK to gain first hand experience of how
British manufacturers are coping in the current economic
climate.
During his two hour visit Chuka Umunna was taken on a
tour of the manufacturing site, met the Duo team and spent time
with Duo UK managing Director David Brimelow to discuss the
challenges facing UK businesses today.
Speaking on his visit, Chuka Umunna commented "I saw
an ambitious, family run entrepreneurial company, which is
investing in its future, and creating secure, stable
employment for the local community," he said, adding Duo are an
example of what Britain needs to aid an economic recovery."

Duo UK Managing Director, David Brimelow and Chuka Umunna MP
start the tour of Duo's Manchester factory where he visited each
stage of the polythene manufacturing process: extrusion, print
and conversion.

Chuka Umunna MP and Duo's Commercial Director Anthony
Brimelow discussed how the potential attack on Syria has already
caused a spike in polythene prices. This will increase the
manufacturing cost of Duo's products impacting on the companies
profitability and cost of product to the customer.

Duo's new
co-extruder, which was financed by the Italian Government using
a funding method known as forfaiting, was of particular
interest to Chuka Umunna MP who commented,"There's an
extraordinary situation where you have a fantastic manufacturing
firm producing products they're selling across the country. They're
expanding and employ 120 people. But in order to get the finance
they need they've gone to Italy to take advantage of a scheme to
help businesses access funds. I think that's an absurd and
unacceptable situation."

Duo apprentice Paul Brown, who was named as the
'Apprentice of the Year' at the
Plastics Industry Awards 2012 informed Chuka Umunna MP on why an
apprenticeship was the right path for his career.

David Brimelow explained that he is extremely pleased
that big UK brands such as JD Williams, ASOS and John Lewis have
made the commercial decision to purchase their packaging from
British manufacturers. UK businesses working together and
buying from each other will help increase demand for UK
manufactured products which will in turn boost the economy and job
opportunities
Chuka Umunna MP commented "Manufacturing is
incredibly important to the health of the UK economy and I was
impressed with the very obvious energy, commitment the Duo team has
in driving their business forward."
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