News release 2 July 2008

South Derbyshire is famous for its world-class businesses.

Among its many multi-national companies, at Burnaston the District boasts Toyota's global production centre for the European region. South Derbyshire's Dove Valley Business Park is home to JCB's diesel engine manufacturing plant. Swadlincote is the base for Extec which creates mining and demolition equipment.

But commercial enterprises in South Derbyshire are not limited to a few major areas. Throughout the District, South Derbyshire offers the right mix of committed people, major road networks and a great environment for a balance between work and life so that businesses are choosing South Derbyshire as their ideal base.

Recently Cllr Heather Wheeler, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, visited Star Micronics GB in Melbourne to meet the company's managing director Bob Hunt and see the computer controlled machines which are manufactured in Japan and sold in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Says Cllr Heather Wheeler, "South Derbyshire's Corporate Plan is committed to developing and expanding our local economy. We want to increase private sector inward capital investment by 1% this year. We want to encourage companies like Star Micronics to grow in our District, which is indeed one of the fastest growing in the East Midlands.

"This month we will launch our Economic Development Strategy which will show our drive to develop businesses in South Derbyshire for the benefit of our people and our industries. One of the key factors in expanding our local economy is education and skills. The Council itself is committed to developing young people through its modern apprenticeship scheme. I am pleased that Star Micronics has an apprenticeship scheme with one success already and that it is to employ a second young person later this year."

Talking about its support for the training of young people Star Micronics' Managing Director Bob Hunt says, "We open up our technical centre to students studying engineering in the Derbyshire area to help with practical exercises and project based course work. We also work with schools so that they are able to use our specialist machines in their workshops."

Also at the meeting was Tiziana Dorigo of the Manufacturing Technologies Association who provided more information about the international marketplace to the Leader of South Derbyshire District Council. Says Tiziana Dorigo, "The Association works to support its members and to promote innovation and quality in production engineering. Manufacturers in South Derbyshire can compete with the world, in part due to the breath of expertise across technology providers in the UK."

Picture shows Star Micronics' Managing Director Bob Hunt, Cllr Heather Wheeler, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council and Tiziana Dorigo of the Manufacturing Technologies Association.