Over the last few months M&I has had several conversations with people involved in UK manufacturing - from heads of trade bodies to factory owners to designers . Time and again the same issue arises; if the UK is to play a strong role in the global economy then more support is needed from the government. 'For small, medium and large enterprises, there has been little reform to boost manufacturing, training and growth in the UK since the General Election,' Ian Williamson of The Midland Manufacturing Group , told The Kenilworth Weekly News . 'There has also been a significant trend regarding the sale of our larger companies to overseas competitors . The UK is now reliant on them for ensuring the research and development of high-value, high-skill jobs remain in the UK.' 'If we lose our manufacturing base we are never going to get it back,' warned Williamson. 'The West Midlands is the heartland of our manufacturing and we need trading conditions to allow it ...