MGS Plastics hosts the BPF and Andy MacNae MP

Hosted by MGS Technical Plastics, The BPF and the MP for Rossendale and Darwen, attended a meeting and site visit at MGS' impressive facilities in Blackburn. In attendance were the new Managing Director of MGS, Judson Smythe, the Commercial Director, Mark Preston, the MP for Rossendale and Darwen, Andy MacNae, his Senior Caseworker, Anthony Shaw and Mohamed Elkhalifa, the Public Affair Manager at the British Plastics Federation.

The meeting started with MGS providing an overview of their business and the challenges they are currently facing. The presentation included the need for investment in modern energy-efficient machinery, commitment to support Net Zero goals and responsible plastics manufacturing, ensuring that recruitment of talent is supported via school engagement and apprenticeships, and driving innovation through smart design, tooling and assembly solutions.

Mohamed Elkhalifa then provided an overview of the BPFs political engagement, the key policy requests and the upcoming political events. The asks included (but were not limited to) the vision for the industrial strategy, the need to address the energy price crisis for manufacturers, and the necessity to recognise the plastics industry as a Foundation Industry.

Overall, the site visit and meeting were positive and provided an insightful conversation. It is great to see an MP being proactive with his constituents with the backing of a great office. Having engaged with Andy MacNae at the BPFs Parliamentary Reception 2025, Andy will now be sponsoring the next BPFs Parliamentary Recpetion in 2026!