by Richard Cosgrove | Tue 15 Oct 2024
CEA responds to the UK government’s Industrial Strategy
Today, the UK government unveiled Invest 2035, a comprehensive Industrial Strategy designed to drive sustainable economic growth across key sectors, including advanced manufacturing and clean energy. The CEA acknowledges this initiative and the potential it brings. However, our industry’s critical role within these sectors deserves greater attention.
Below, Viki Bell, Director of Operations at the CEA, shares our perspective on how the construction equipment sector aligns with these growth areas and the importance of fully integrating our contributions into the government’s vision for a resilient economy.
“We’re pleased to see the Industrial Strategy, which aligns with our calls in the CEA manifesto. However, it's disappointing that the construction equipment sector hasn’t been more prominently recognised, given its natural fit within Advanced Manufacturing and Clean Energy. Our sector generates over £15 billion in revenue, supports over 44,000 jobs, and invests heavily in R&D—£250 million annually. We're playing a leading role in advancing clean energy within our sector with sustainable innovations such as battery storage and hydrogen fuel, which are essential to the transition to clean energy.
The CEA looks forward to working with our government to ensure the sector’s role as a major contributor to the UK’s economic resilience is acknowledged. Our industry is ready to fully engage in the consultation process to highlight how we advance within these critical sectors.”
Viki Bell
CEA (Construction Equipment Association) Director of Operations