David Ruffley has organised a 'Business Day' in Bury St Edmunds on Friday, 5 September.

His first call will be to Jack Sealey Ltd in Kempson Way, Suffolk Business Park, at 9.00 a.m. He will be given a tour of the operation by Dave Riches, Sales Director. The company moved to their present prestigious headquarters in 1999 following construction of their large new warehouse, the first new build on the Suffolk Business Park. Employing 230 staff, Sealey Power Products now offers one of the widest ranges of power and hand tools available in the UK and worldwide.

David's next stop at 10.45 a.m. will be at Lark Valley Foods in Lamdin Road. The company produces and packs bacon for major UK food retailers. They have recently completed a £3 million expansion project which has created more than 100 jobs. The company now employs around 250 people. Tony Stanton, the Group MD and Roy Eastwood, head of the Bury operation, will take David on a tour of the factory to meet the staff and see their operation.

In the afternoon David will be meeting Caroline Gumble, East Anglia Director of the Engineering Employers Federation, who will brief him on manufacturing industry in his constituency.

David then moves on to West Suffolk College to meet the Principal, Dr Ann Williams. The College maintains a close relationship with local employers. They manage 570 modern apprentices for local companies and the College is the largest provider in Suffolk. They also deliver NVQ assessments in companies in a wide range of occupations.

Finally, David will meet Nick Foster, Executive Director of the Suffolk Learning and Skills Council. The LSC distributes annually £75 million of government funding in Suffolk and is responsible for the planning, funding and auditing of the education and training supported by the Government for all students aged 16 years and over outside the university sector. They are increasingly involved with the key stakeholders in Suffolk.

David said: 'Local businesses are the key to Suffolk's economic success. Sealey Power Products and Lark Valley Foods are prime examples of successful local business expansion. Their businesses in Bury are booming and they show what can be achieved. Working with local businesses, the local council and regional economic development organisations I want to attract more successful businesses to our area. My 'Business Day' will add to my knowledge of the local business scene. I want to build on our success so that Bury's economic future is secure. As a town Bury has much to offer but we need to work hard to promote the opportunities we can offer business. We cannot afford to stand still and do nothing.'