TWO local companies were visited by Government ministers who were shown the result of recent investment.

Business minister Matthew Hancock MP visited the Heckmondwike base of machine tools company the 600 Group, while Environment Secretary Liz Truss saw the recycling process at Bradford-based Associated Waste Management.

Mr Hancock saw the result of recent investments which had helped 600 Group win the EEF Future Manufacturing award which recognised the firm’s modernisation and reshoring initiatives.

Mike Berry, 600 UK managing director, said “It was a real pleasure to meet the minister and explain to him the significant changes already completed together with our ongoing new developments.

“These have resulted from a real team effort and total involvement by all employees making our factory vision a reality. The minister was also impressed with our commitment to industry, particularly within the education sector, and was shown our benchmark Colchester and Harrison training lathes being manufactured in preparation for delivery to both UK and overseas training establishments.”

Mr Hancock said: “It was fantastic to visit 600 UK and see the first-rate work they are doing with support from our Regional Growth Fund.

“This shows our long-term economic plan is working. By creating jobs and spreading prosperity across Yorkshire, 600 UK are building the machines that are building a better Britain.”

600 UK, which employs 85 staff manufacturing Colchester and Harrison Lathes, Pratt Burnerd International work holding chucks and Gamet bearings.

Elizabeth Truss toured Associated Waste Management’s plant, which recycles 200,000 tonnes of waste a year where she saw some of its innovative technology that has been used to maximise the segregation of waste.

Also were pupils from Stanningley Primary School’s year 3 environmental committee attending the visit who said ittheir visit had made motivated them to be more environmentally aware.

Mike Robinson, AWM marketing manager, said: “Elizabeth paid particular interest in determining how the better separation of waste by the consumer could happen, and was keen to see food waste diverted from general waste containers.”

He said the firm had invested heavily in emerging technology, including infra red spectrometry, ballistic separation to offer clients a range of products to assist with the separation of waste at source. He adding thatMr Robinson said AWM had ambitious expansion plans to enable it to further increase recovered commodities.

AWM handles waste for several local authorities, including Bradford cCouncil. and has delivered its educational course free of charge to 1,500 children throughout West Yorkshire to raise awareness of the need for better management of the environment.