The visit was organised as part of the industry-wide Defence Matters campaign which aims to communicate the positive contribution of the defence industry to the UK and the value that the industry brings to the national economy and the vital work of our armed forces. Keen to communicate the value of SMEs to local politicians, ETL was selected by A|D|S of which ETL is a member.
Bob Walter was given an insight into the ETL operation by ETL's managing director, Ken Crook and received a presentation by ETL's MoD project manager, Philip Scantlebury, who also took the opportunity to highlight the high financial investment the company is forced to make in order to meet the critical timescales set by Urgent Operational Requirements. The visit concluded with a tour of the factory by the operations manager, Eric Case.
“We were delighted that Bob was able to visit and to have the opportunity to not only show him around our operation and share with him some of the vital defence work that we undertake, but also to be able to make him aware of the high financial risk SMEs like ourselves face in meeting the obligation,” said Pip Arnold, ETL's sales director.”
After his visit Walter, said: “It was very interesting to take an in-depth look at the key role played by a small to medium-sized business in Dorset, both within the UK's defence industry and internationally. It was clear, both from the presentation I received and my tour of the factory floor, that high-tech equipment produced by ETL has already played a significant part in supporting our armed forces with advanced technology. I am positive that this is a relationship that will continue for many years to come.”
www.etluk.co.uk
