Robinson and McGuinness visit FG Wilson ahead of US mission

First Minister Peter D. Robinson MP, MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA recently visited local engineering FG Wilson ahead of their upcoming investment mission to the United States.

Mr McGuinness said: “Our meeting with Mark Sweeney and the local management team has enabled us to understand in greater depth, and hear at first hand, how the current economic downturn is impacting on our local manufacturers.

“During our visit to the United States we will be meeting with senior executives of Caterpillar Inc, the parent company of FG Wilson, to reinforce the important contribution which the company makes to the local economy, in terms of both employment and Research and Development.”

Mr Robinson said: “We will also re-emphasise the central focus the Executive has placed on the economy and our commitment to provide the most effective and efficient support to business in these difficult times.

“We shall also be meeting other existing investors and exploring trade and investment opportunities, with the strong message that we are, very much, open for business.”

In advance of their visit the Ministers will also meet with other local operations of existing US investors before meeting their US based parent companies.

Whilst in the States both men will tell corporate America that their continued investment is vital to the economic life of Northern Ireland.

Mr Robinson said: “The United States has major interests in Northern Ireland which will no doubt be among the first to feel the knock effects of the current recession. In this situation we are left with two stark choices, we either bury our heads in the sand and hope for the best or we open dialogue with the companies involved to see what can be done to secure jobs.”

Mr McGuinness said: “The recession began in America and so will the recovery. We must now more than ever have a visible presence in the United States. Recovery will come and we are determined that we will be prepared and best placed to take advantage of any upturn. The North remains an excellent investment opportunity and corporate America will have us at the forefront of their minds.”

Mark Sweeney, Global Operations Director, Caterpillar Electric Power Division and Managing Director, FG Wilson Limited, said: “We are grateful to the First and deputy First Minister’s for taking the time from their busy schedules to visit FG Wilson, to listen to our concerns and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges we currently face. In our view, it is extremely important that they engage with the corporate headquarters, not only of ourselves, but also other existing investors, to ensure that the Northern Ireland business proposition is strongly heard in the boardrooms of the US and that we, in Northern Ireland, do not suffer disproportionately from the effects of the current recession.”

Notes to Editors:

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