BRITISH AND PROUD OF IT
Page 28
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WHILE it may he true that the financial funding not just for trucks and engines, but many other British products may he ultimately controlled by international corporations, I believe that both CM's editor and Mr Isherwood (CM, October 19 and November 9) are confusing a study in semantics with actual practicalities.
We at Perkins are certainly not "sad at the state of our industry-. We are very proud to he able to continue the
tradition of British research, British design, British development and British manufacture of diesel engines which was started in Peterborough by Frank Perkins over 50 years ago.
The acquisition by Massey-Ferguson some 25 years ago (whose present chief executive, Victor Rice, is, incidentally, not only an Englishman but a former managing director of Perkins) provided the capital that enabled Perkins to become now one of the largest diesel engine manufacturers in the world. This development was further enhanced by the acquisition nearly two years ago of the former Rolls-Royce diesel division at Shrewsbury.
Over 20i1,000 engines and engine kits are manufactured annually in the UK, of which 80 per cent are exported, generating considerable revenue for the British economy, in addition to the tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the UK manufacturing industry.
If Mr Isherwood is still sad at the state of British industry, may I suggest he watches Perkins' progress over the next twelve months. Ile may be surprised, if not a little heartened, at what British Minn' at mum can achieve!
J. M. Dunne
Truck Marketing Manager
Perkins ho gin eS
Peterborough