DR SWATI DHINGRA, a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, and Steve Hicks, the Bank of England’s Agent for Wales, recently visited Sigma 3 Kitchens’ brand-new 130,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Bridgend. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the UK’s manufacturing sector, with a focus on kitchen production in Wales.
During the visit, Dr Dhingra and Mr Hicks toured the state-of-the-art facility and met with senior leadership and key manufacturing personnel. Discussions covered economic conditions affecting the industry, including supply chain resilience, inflationary pressures, skills development, and the role of manufacturing in regional economic growth. As part of its long-term vision, Sigma 3 Kitchens has invested £20 million in increasing production capacity, with its Llantrisant facility set to support and feed into the larger Bridgend site.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Sigma 3 Kitchens continues to expand its presence in the UK market. Its commitment to advanced manufacturing technology and sustainability underlines its ambition to drive innovation and industry leadership.
Brian Lakin, Chairman, said: “We were delighted to welcome Swati and Steve to our new manufacturing facility. Their insights into the economic landscape were invaluable, and we appreciated the opportunity to discuss how the UK manufacturing sector can continue to thrive.”
Steve Hicks, the Bank of England’s Agent for Wales, added: “It was incredibly useful to visit Sigma 3 Kitchens with Swati as part of a wider visit to South Wales. Company visits like this are vital for Bank policymakers to hear first-hand from business leaders, and this visit provided helpful insights into both the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.”
The visit highlights the importance of dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders in shaping the future of UK manufacturing. As Sigma 3 Kitchens continues to innovate and invest in its operations, engagements such as this play a crucial role in supporting the wider economic landscape.
