Maria was welcomed by Stephen Blatchford, owner and CEO, and heard from him about the company’s product manufacture and distribution, and also about its commitment to research and development.  Blatchfords has been located in Basingstoke since 1962, and currently employs some 150 staff, with plans to increase this to around 180.

 Maria recetly nominated Blatchfords for the Made by Britain project, which aims to showcase the UK’s manufacturing sector.

 Maria said: “I am very pleased to visit another successful manufacturing company in Basingstoke.  From what I have heard today, the workforce at Blatchfords is highly skilled and it is good to see that they have largely been able to recruit locally for these skilled roles.”

 Maria added: “As the Minister for Disabled People, I was particularly interested in the unique support Blatchfords offers to those who have lost a limb. Mobility is a vital part of independence to all of us; by providing prostheses and related services to the people who need them, Blatchfords is helping to improve the quality of many people’s lives.”