Top policy maker visits Pittards

A member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee has paid a two-day visit to UK leather manufacturers Pittards. Committee member Marian Bell and Kevin Butler, Agent of the Bank of England in the south west, met Pittards chairman Robert Tomkinson, group managing director John Pittard and group finance director John Buckley for discussions on various aspects of the British and global economies. John Pittard also raised the importance of the manufacturing sector to Britain. Pittards are a global leader in the leather industry and export more than 80% of the leather they produce. They have developed large markets in both the US and Europe resulting in substantial dollar/euro exposure plus have growing markets right across Asia. John Pittard said: 'I was delighted that Marian Bell was willing to give the time to visit our factory here in Somerset. Because of our very high level of exports, we have firm ideas on what assists the British export market and it was extremely useful to have the opportunity to discuss these on a one to one basis.' During the visit, Bell and Butler were given a tour of the factory and saw some of the beautiful new leathers that are being manufactured for many of the world's leading brands of gloves and sports equipment. They also visited the research and development department where chemists and scientists create many of the technically advanced leathers that have helped Pittards become the global leader in their industry.