The investment includes a contribution from the Grant for Business Investment scheme (GBI) of £3m through Yorkshire Forward and the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Minister for Business Pat McFadden (MP) and Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber Rosie Winterton (MP) made the announcement during a visit to Pegler Yorkshire’s Doncaster facility. Pat McFadden and Rosie Winterton were given an introduction to Pegler Yorkshire by Operations Managing Director Martin Dowling, followed by a whistle stop tour of the manufacturing facility and company showroom by Production Director Graham Fawcett. Pat and Rosie had the opportunity to learn how the investment will be spent and to see the very latest taps and fittings from the UK’s leading manufacturer of plumbing and heating products. The investment will allow the existing rod making facility to be replaced with the latest state of the art equipment and automated machinery. A number of potential suppliers have already been short-listed and negotiations are at an advanced stage. Orders for the first stage of the project are already being placed and it is envisaged that the new facility will be fully operational by the first quarter of 2010. Speaking about the grant and his visit to Pegler Yorkshire, Pat McFadden said, “This is a really important investment, not just for Pegler Yorkshire, but the whole country and Rosie and I are delighted to be here and seeing how the money is being spent.” “It is a difficult time, but it is important to say we are a still a country that makes things. Companies like Pegler Yorkshire are evidence that the UK is not just composed of banking and service industries – we still make things too. The government cannot say yes to every grant, but where a company is strategically important, and a critical part of UK manufacturing, this is when we want to support business and we are delighted to be able to do it.” “Rosie Winterton echoed Pat’s comments and is already familiar with Pegler Yorkshire, having visited the company several times in the past, “Pegler is one of the first companies I visited, even before I became an MP and this is still a company that looks to the future. The government recognises that companies rely not just on grants, but investment in things like hospitals and the building for schools programmes and we remain committed to them.” Speaking about the importance of the grant and the visit Pegler Yorkshire, Operations Managing Director Martin Dowling said, “ It has been very exciting to host a ministerial visit, and to welcome Pat and Rosie to Pegler Yorkshire. The commercial market in the UK was very important for Pegler Yorkshire products, in particular hospitals and the schools programmes. The growth in this markets had partly offset the fall in the housing market. The £3m investment from the government has also been essential, because without it, the new investment would not have been financially viable.” “A challenging year is ahead for all of us,” continued Martin, “but with new product launches planned and this new investment, we are looking to offset the worst the recession can throw at us. The next few months may be tough, but with new investment the long term prospects are good – the spirit is excellent and we will succeed.” The investment is a significant part of a three-year plan for the Doncaster site and the modernisation and new equipment that will come as a result of it will provide security and continued manufacturing at the Doncaster site. | 
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