The Midlands has long been a centre for manufacturing in the UK . Cromford , the birthplace of the modern factory system , which arguably started the industrial revolution , lies a few miles from where the Garnalex and Sheerline factory is based . Richard Arkwright ’ s original mill harnessed mechanisation at scale to revolutionise the world , and it ’ s this pioneering spirit that is the hallmark of the area . In this exclusive MidlandsView interview with Roger Hartshorn , he discusses the area ’ s pragmatic ‘ do-ers ’ who like to get on and make things happen , industry in the area today and all the businesses he ’ s been involved with since he started out at the age of 16 , all within a stone ’ s throw of his birthplace in Amber Valley , Derbyshire …

Roger , please can you let us know about your background – particularly working in the Midlands ? Are you yourself from the area ?

Yes , I grew up in the area , and started my working life as an apprentice in the toolroom at HL Plastics when I was 16 , way back in 1977 . Having worked my way up to production manager , I saw the massive growth potential of PVC-U systems in the UK and was part of the management buyout there in ‘ 89 . We started supplying numerous systems houses with trade extrusions , before also launching our

own Eurocell brand ( which started life as a range of cills ) two years later . A proud Derbyshire-based business , we moved from Little Eaton when we outgrew the site to a custom-built facility at Clover Nook , Alfreton . In 2003 we sold Eurocell , two years later I left the business - buying the HL Plastics trade extrusion business - and three years later we had launched the first Liniar window system to critical acclaim . After 12 years at the helm of Liniar , seeing it grow to become another podium player in the PVC-U systems market , I stepped down as CEO .

Ready for another , different challenge in 2018 , I identified another opportunity to bring the agile service , tight focus on the needs of the customer and the harnessing of innovation to drive standards from the world of PVC-U to aluminium for the first time . Thus , Garnalex and the Sheerline range of innovative windows , doors and roof systems were born .

Has the area changed over the years – for better or worse ?

I ’ ve seen plenty of change over the years . The rise and fall of many types of industry in the area as society and the economy change . I ’ ve also witnessed the sad decline of Britain as a manufacturing nation , but am hopeful that everyone , including our politicians , are now waking up to the importance of so-called ‘ onshoring ’ or realising that to live up to the

‘ Great ’ in Great Britain we need to make things again . It ’ s why I ’ ve always been so committed to manufacturing here , and it ’ s why we run a highly vertically integrated business , giving us more control , helping the local and national economy , and securing British jobs .

Are there any specific challenges that the Midlands faces ?

You only need to look at Alstom , formally Bombardier in Derby , where 3000 local jobs are at risk ( with the associated 12 -15,000 jobs they support ) to realise that the general pressures facing manufacturing in the UK are shared by businesses in the region . I don ’ t think the challenges facing the Midlands , training , recruitment etc , are particularly specific to us , although our potential is often overshadowed by the Northern powerhouses and London .

And , how does the future look in this area for business and industry ?

Positive . Despite all the Global challenges we are facing , I ’ m optimistic about manufacturing reclaiming its place as one of the key engines of growth in the UK . The Midlands is well poised to take advantage of this , with great people , large populations , and the perfect central position in the country to be able to service the entire UK . We are entrepreneurs , and making things well is in our blood . Back in December , it was also widely reported that the UK Government will implement an import levy on carbon to drive its Net Zero Strategy . Expected to come into effect by 2027 , importers of carbon intensive products such as iron , steel and aluminium , will become subject to additional costs . So , for any readers currently using aluminium system that are imported , and frankly that ’ s most of them , now is a good time to look at the best of what the UK has to offer .

What about the UK as a whole – does it still have the reputation for being industry titans ?

I think we ’ re still well respected in some areas , aerospace for example , but since the mass migration of manufacturing to the Far East , India and China , the UK probably isn ’ t on the tip of most of the world ’ s tongue . But at Garnalex we like to think positively , everything ’ s to play for , and I know the UK has the talent , expertise and drive to regain our reputation for quality manufacturing . There are many big opportunities / challenges out there ; AI , grappling with the realities , and downsides of globalisation , and achieving our climate targets , that with the right attitude and support from government we can help lead the way .