Coventry-based Sarginsons Industries (www.sarginsons.com) — an aluminium diecasting specialist — was recently visited by Andy Street, who is looking to become mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority later this year (and is a former managing director of the John Lewis Partnership).

Sarginsons, which celebrated its 80th anniversary last year, has recently been working with Brunel University and Jaguar Land Rover on the development of a new lightweight aluminium alloy that is said to be as strong as steel and totally recyclable.

Managing director Anthony Evans said: “We were delighted to welcome Andy and to show him just what we do and how we fit into the supply chains of our various companies. We have worked closely with clients and the world of Higher Education to enhance expertise across the sector and develop the engineers of the future.

“We are continually striving to make improvements, not only to what we can produce, but also to our own processes.

“Lightweighting is key to helping manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint, and we aim to stay at the cutting edge of this pioneering technology. The new mayor will have considerable powers and will have to work closely with industry, as we look to drive forward the regional economy.

“We felt it was important for Andy to understand what we do, and to get a feel for the expertise that lies in manufacturing in Coventry and Warwickshire.”

Mr Street said: “Sarginsons is exactly the type of business the West Midlands is great at developing.

“However, we need to get even better at it. The challenges around skills, transport and business support were very familiar; we need to do more to create the conditions for growth.”