Sixty Lloyds specialists to attend MACH 2012

The MTA draws its membership from the machine tool, CADCAM, cutting tool, workholding and subcontracting sectors. Lloyds, which already works with several MTA members, says it is keen to grow its share of the manufacturing market and sees MACH 2012 as the place to do that. Graham Dewhurst, the MTA's director general, said: "We're delighted to have Lloyds on board for the exhibition. It's not just an advertising deal – Lloyds will have a place in the Halls and will be sending upwards of 60 manufacturing specialists to the show to get out and about, seeing what's new and learning more about the industry." Those specialists will have been through an intensive training programme at Warwick University, with sessions designed and led by the MTA – part of the developing relationship between the association and the Bank, which also takes in sponsorship of the MTA Annual Dinner and Manufacturing Industry Awards, the latter to be held on 1 February next year at the ICC Birmingham. Mark Dodd, head of manufacturing at Lloyds TSB Commercial, emphasised how important MACH 2012 is to the Bank: "By supporting and attending MACH 2012, we look forward to building a strong relationship with the MTA and its members, so that we can further understand the needs of manufacturers, in order to provide the support they need."