The Secretary of State for Wales has visited two major employers
in Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan as part of the UK Government's
mission to deliver economic growth.
Welsh Secretary was given a tour of the Port of Barry and heard about
Associated British Ports (ABP) and px Group's plan for a Clean
Growth Hub which aims to establish a cutting-edge facility
where businesses can attract direct investment and
create jobs.
The plan aims to transform a large area of the operational port
into an area of green, high-growth infrastructure investment. It
is designed to attract companies involved in innovative
industries such as battery materials, rare earth metal processing
and green energy manufacturing.
Earlier the same day the Welsh Secretary also visited Dow, a
material sciences company, based on Cardiff Road, Barry. The site
manufactures silicones for use in automotive, aerospace, energy
infrastructure, construction and other industries across the UK
and Europe. It employs more than 600 people with the majority
living in the Vale of Glamorgan, as well as partnering with
hundreds of suppliers - many based in and around Barry and South
Wales.
The Welsh Secretary heard about how Dow contributes to the growth
of the regional economy and about the company's plans for the
future.
Welsh Secretary said:
My number one mission is to deliver investment and jobs to Wales
so it was fantastic to hear about the Port of Barry's exciting
plans for the Clean Energy Hub which will attract business and
investors while helping achieve our mission of making Britain a
clean energy superpower.
We want to work in partnership with business to drive growth,
opportunity and prosperity, so it was also great to spend time at
Dow and see the work that they do to realise these ambitions in
South Wales.
Ralph Windeatt, ABP Group Head of Business Development,
said:
I was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Wales to
our Port of Barry to discuss our plans for a Clean Growth
Hub.
Associated British Ports' five ports in South Wales are already
becoming hubs at the heart of the green energy transition. With
our partners px Group, we want to transform the Port of Barry to
expand low-carbon, high-growth infrastructure
investment. These plans will build on the low-carbon
infrastructure we already have in place, including solar and wind
power and green hydrogen production with our partners at EDF
Hynamics and ESB International.
Our plans for a Clean Growth Hub will create jobs, mobilise
inward investment and boost local prosperity and opportunity.
Andrew Laney, Senior Site Manufacturing Director at Dow, Barry
said:
Dow is a business that plays a key role in South Wales, both
socially and economically. The silicones we manufacture for so
many industrial sectors across Wales, UK and Europe are proudly
‘Made in Barry'.
We were pleased to show the Secretary of State the operations on
site and discuss how South Wales manufacturing can be
well-recognised in the UK Government's Industrial Strategy
consultation.
