Too often, it seems, we have to carry stories about local companies which are in trouble - particularly companies in the manufacturing sector. The latest of these, Bradford-based Carpets International, went into administrative receivership last week after being badly hit by changing trends in floorcoverings, putting 1,200 jobs in jeopardy.
Yet not every story from the manufacturing world is a negative one. Today, on our Business page, we report on the renewed success of a smaller local company, Silver Cross, which last year seemed to have no future after the original Guiseley-based pram-making business went into receivership following financial irregularities at its then parent company.
It seemed that another prestigious name was set to become part of history. Yet only a few months after the firm's relaunch from a new manufacturing base in Bingley, in a much slimmed-down form, it is reporting a six-week waiting list for its Balmoral and Kensington prams and its toy range is completely sold out for 2003.
The company has managed to start building for the future on the solid foundations of Silver Cross's reputation as a top-quality producer. It has also been considerably helped by the publicity generated through celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Victoria Beckham and Brooke Shields being spotted pushing the company's prams.
We wish Silver Cross all the very best of success as it embarks on a five-year plan to reclaim its place as the UK's top nursery-products manufacturer. Its revival could perhaps inspire some other struggling companies to look again at the way they do things in the hope of turning their fortunes around.
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