INNOVATION
What is relevant about Innovation for this website?This site was originally about products made in the Preston area but it also supports manufacturing in a broader sense. Particularly as it is under threat in the UK as greater centralisation and more cheap sourced countries emerge. Also there is a debate about whether advanced economies need to manufacture if they can produce services such as a mobile phone company and intellectual products like software or television programmes. Who wants to work in a factory anyway, they say. So if we focus on products, how does it relate to this website? Preston took advantage of others innovation during the industrial revolution. Arkwright, one of the innovators of cotton manufacture, came from Preston but had to go to Nottingham to exploit it. In the 19th Century Preston grew from 10,000 to 100,000 as the innovations in the cotton industry were implemented, money flowed into the area and gradually living conditions were improved (despite them appearing harsh to modern eyes). Seaside resorts like Blackpool grew to be the biggest in the world. Another area of innovation enabled by this was in public transport. The use of electricity enabled electically powered trams to be developed and Preston was one of the biggest manufacturing centres of trams. As the steam and then petrol engine developed Leyland Motors became one of the biggest bus and lorry manufacturers in the world. The Atlantean being a major innovation in the 1950's. Other innovations were the introduction of the jet engine and the growth of Preston as an aircraft manufacturing centre. This was largely based on the success of the Canberra bomber that was designed in Preston in the late 1940's. The Canberra bomber is an example of seeded innovation, sponsored by the Government, with a product engineered and configured skilfully by a new team using the latest methods and equipment and spawning thousands of jobs into the local area that have continued long after the original product. Largely because of industrial and political decisions as well as the capability. Value of InnovationIn the 19th Century the innovations brought people out of rural work into terraced houses and later parks, theatres, musuems were added often by local philanthropists. In the 20th Century further improvements were afforded. How much is a large business like the aircraft factories worth to Preston and the area. It could be assumed that an average of approximately 10,000 people worked at the 3 (now 2) main sites continually over the last 60 years. At todays prices what is the average UK salary? Say £20,000. 10,000 times £20,000 is £200,000,000 per year. Not to forget the pensioners still drawing their EE/BAC/BAe pensions. Also the small businesses providing support; temp agencies, sub-contractors, sandwich shops, pubs, people delivering from warehouses; material, equipment, tools, office furniture and equipment. How much has the industry been worth to the UK. The Canberra exported over 500 aircraft including many built overseas, the Lightning exported about a 100, Jaguar around 100, Tornado over 100. Which is about 800 export aircraft. This provides maintenance and support work as well for up to 20 years after the original delivery. The aircraft built for the RAF in the UK reduces the need to buy aircraft from the USA or other countries. The aircraft industry includes the large supplier base with companies such as Smiths and Dowty in the South West, engines from Derby, Glasgow and Bristol. Other major aviation electronic companies in Edinburgh and London. The aircraft and lorry building industries are still in the area. Cotton has gone. What would be the purpose of Preston without a major business? Would the population be sustained by work in small businesses and government offices. At what point would it implode? Who in Preston is going to invent something new, like a Dyson, that makes Made in Preston a proud statement. |