Manufacturer Group Rhodes Paid Visit by Wakefield MP

Group Rhodes recently welcomed Labour MP for Wakefield and Shadow Minister for Transport, Simon Lightwood to its Head Offices and Factory in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The Group Rhodes CEO, Mark Ridgway OBE DL provided Simon with an in-depth tour of the premises and showcased the innovative work that is carried out by the business.

Speaking on the visit Mark said: ‘’We were very pleased to welcome Simon to the company and the chance to highlight our innovative work in the aerospace, automotive and heavy ceramics sectors. Wakefield has a long history of engineering excellence, and as Group Rhodes approaches its 200th Anniversary we need to ensure we have access to appropriate skills and investment strategies to develop this legacy”. He added, “such challenges exist on both a local and national level, and on these and other matters we very much welcome Simon’s support’’.

Upon arrival, Simon and his team were given a tour of the company and an opportunity to speak with employees before receiving a presentation on the business and its main trading divisions of Craven Fawcett, Rhodes Interform and Hallamshire Engineering Services. This was then followed by a discussion on R&D Tax Credits, advanced engineering skills and technological innovation in the Original Equipment Manufacturing sector.

Following the tour Simon commented: “It was incredibly impressive to witness the level of innovation operating from within Wakefield, and here about recent export success. I was particularly interested in the technology invested in lightweighting structures used in the aerospace and automobile sectors which helps towards achieving net zero targets”.

As part of the tour, Simon was shown state-of-the-art clay preparation machinery to be used for the first net zero brick facility in the UK at Ibstock’s Atlas site in Walsall, West Midlands. The company also highlighted the use of its technology at the South Kirkby Household Waste Recycling Centre where patented Group Rhodes machinery processes co-mingled household waste without the need for incineration.

Simon Lightwood has been serving as a Member of Parliament for Wakefield since his election in the by-election held in 2022. he has campaigned on a wide range of issues, including bus services.

Group Rhodes supplies machinery and after-market services for Metal Forming, Material Handling, Waste Management, Clay Preparation, Concrete Working and Special Purpose applications. The business is celebrating its 200th year in 2024 and remains one of Europe’s largest Original Equipment Manufacturers in its field.

If you want to find out more information regarding Group Rhodes, please visit the website https://www.grouprhodes.co.uk/, call us +44 (0) 1924 371161. Alternatively follow the company on LinkedIn.

Press enquiries: Thomas Culpan at Group Rhodes Thomas.culpan@grouprhodes.co.uk.

Marina Wood at Dragonfly PR: marina@dragonflypr.co.uk.