1st Dec '25

CEL Group Welcomes The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP

CEL Group welcomed The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard, Member of Parliament for The Wrekin, on Friday 28 November to showcase how our unique approach to global manufacturing helps UK manufacturers compete and grow, in addition to contributing to growth in the local economy.

The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP joined us to learn firsthand how our international approach to quality-led subcontract manufacturing has enabled us to buck economic ‘doom and gloom’ trends. In the last five years alone we have grown our UK workforce by a further 60%, achieving over 90% profitable growth in annual turnover.

Jenny Pearson, Head of Commercial Success at the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, also joined us for the visit.

Simon Cartwright, CEL Group’s Managing Director, said of the visit “We were delighted to welcome The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP and Jenny Pearson to our thriving warehouse and assembly facility in Hortonwood West. It was a chance to discuss manufacturing supply chain and sustainability issues and opportunities. Plus, the positive difference our business is making to the capabilities and growth potential of UK manufacturers in many vital industries, such as healthcare, lighting and hospitality.

Simon continued, “We believe in the benefits of international trade. It’s not an ‘either or choice’. Our mission is to deliver the best experience of subcontract manufacturing in China and the UK. The successful growth of our business highlights how this global engineering approach supports UK manufacturing customers, enabling them to compete and grow.”

The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP, said, “It was a pleasure to meet Simon and CEL Group’s growing and upbeat UK team. The visit was  a chance to see for myself the impressive results of its investment in the facility and its people. We discussed manufacturing supply chain challenges, exploring central and local support needed. CEL Group’s strong growth highlights the amazing resourcefulness and capability we have in the region. I’m immensely proud of the contribution Shropshire businesses make at home and abroad.”