DEFRA minister’s tour of factory

MP visit to Doff Portland, Hucknall. l-r is Ben Shaperio Shareholder, Matt Jones MD, Mark Spencer MP, Owen Paterson MP, Graham Whyatt Chairman and Trevor Millen Non-Executive Director.

Secretary of State for the Environment,Food and Rural Affairs Owen Paterson MP, had a tour around Doff Portland – the UK’s leading manufacturer of insecticides, weed killers and garden care products, which is based at Aerial Way in the town.

During the visit the group discussed the company’s future UK manufacturing plans, employment opportunities for local people and the regulatory environment for UK businesses involved in research and development.

“It was a real pleasure to be invited to visit Doff Portland,” said Mr Paterson. “It’s a great example of a UK manufacturing business reinventing itself.

“I was particularly pleased to see the significant investment in new equipment which I hope will put the business in prime position to capitalise on the growing global demand for top-quality British products.”

Having been acquired by 151 Products in December 2012, the two like-minded companies set out to rebrand Doff to make an already outstanding brand more modern to demonstrate its contemporary appeal to the DIY, garden centre and multiple grocery retail market.

Matt Jones, managing director of Doff Portland, said: “This is a really exciting time for Doff. We’re very proud of how far we’ve come over the last 10 months, so welcoming Owen Paterson MP and Mark Spencer MP into our Nottingham factory today was a real honour.

“We’re extremely positive about our future as UK manufacturers and look forward to a prosperous future.”