Mr Cameron talked about the importance of manufacturing to the UK economy during a 30 minute question and answer session and praised the Renishaw staff for the role they are playing. He said: "Thank you for all that you are doing here at Renishaw to drive a great industrial revolution and a British revival of manufacturing, technology and exports. It's a wonder to see."
Mr Cameron met seven Renishaw apprentices and recent graduates, representing the company's record 111 apprentices currently in training and a record 2013 intake of 55 graduates. He also looked at the firm's newest 'neuromate' neurosurgical robot, which has just been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) to market it in the US.
Mr Cameron also expressed huge interest in Renishaw's AM250 machine and the 3D-printed Empire Cycles MX6-R concept mountain bike. He was also show how the machine was recently used to print metal surgical cutting/positioning guides for pioneering facial reconstructive surgery carried out by Morriston Hospital in Swansea, Wales, on Stephen Power, a victim of a serious motorcycle accident.
Renishaw's chairman and chief executive Sir David McMurtry said the visit from the British Prime Minister gave further recognition to all of Renishaw's staff globally, adding: "I sensed a real pride amongst our staff, and I would like to pay tribute to the hard work that has gone in to making our Woodchester site the world class production facility that it is today."
