Automation in Food Processing in the Global Spotlight
Greater Lincolnshire’s expertise in food processing automation has been showcased to the world by the Department for International Trade (DIT).
The Greater Lincolnshire High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for Automation in Food Processing has been launched by the DIT Network via two webinars which were attended by 50 people across multiple countries and time zones.
Martin Collison and Jane Lycett, agrifood specialists at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership
and the DIT Midlands team respectively, presented the HPO to embassies around the world to help them understand the investment opportunity in Greater Lincolnshire and to inform their discussions with investors.
“The HPO and the region’s new Agrifood Investment Proposition are generating significant interest for businesses looking to locate to Greater Lincolnshire,” said Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.
“Further discussions have already taken place with DIT Posts in America and Thailand, a targeted list of global companies has been compiled and meetings have already begun with high tech automation and robotics businesses that are looking to locate to the UK and to our region.”
Karen Seal, Principal Officer for Place and Investment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The HPO is putting Lincolnshire on a global stage and, with the help and support of DIT, we are attracting interest from a lot of businesses that will help us to future-proof the agrifood sector.
“There’s a wealth of transferrable skills and technologies between automation and robotics within the agrifood sector and other industries, which creates more opportunities and helps us to address labour supply shortages.”
Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Councillor for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Automation and robotics in the food sector in Greater Lincolnshire was chosen by the Government as one of 19 new investment opportunities across the UK last year.
“Along with the announcement of new freeports for the Humber and East Midlands Airport, Greater Lincolnshire is an incredibly attractive area for investment. Together with the LEP, the county council is playing a lead role, alongside fellow Team Lincolnshire ambassadors, in unlocking this potential and pushing for and utilising Government funding to grow our economy.”
The High Potential Opportunities (HPO) scheme aims to increase inward investment into the UK with the help of DIT’s global network based in 177 cities around the world.
The next steps include an online webinar for potential investors on 16th September 2021 and the in-person FPC Future 2021 Conference at the Lincolnshire Showground on 4th November 2021 which potential investors can attend as part of an inward mission.
A focus on internationalisation and positioning Greater Lincolnshire’s UK Food Valley as a top 10 global food cluster is a key part of the LEP’s agrifood strategy, building on the presence in Greater Lincolnshire of many leading global food companies.
Notes for editors:
- The Greater Lincolnshire LEP
was set up in 2010 and works with businesses and local authorities to develop and grow Greater Lincolnshire’s diverse economy. - It is a public / private partnership led by the private sector.
- It works with central Government and the private sector to invest in infrastructure, skills, innovation and productivity.
- More than 100 businesses are involved in its strategies, and 80 business people sit on its boards.
- The LEP has an ambitious and balanced strategic economic growth plan for Greater Lincolnshire.
- The LEP’s six priority sectors are agri-food, the visitor economy, manufacturing, logistics, health and care and low-carbon energy.
- The LEP has invested £307 million in local economic growth schemes in Greater Lincolnshire since 2014.
- The Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers an area including North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Rutland and the administrative county of Lincolnshire and is led by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
- To find out more visit http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk or follow the LEP on Twitter @greaterlincslep, Facebook or LinkedIn.
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