IN the space of ten years Notts and Derbyshire lost nearly 70,000 manufacturing job. These were valuable jobs in the heartland of UK manufacturing. The number of in the sector fell from nearly 20% of the economy to fewer than 15% between 1998 and 2008
These were jobs in industries such as textiles, jobs exported to countries where labour is cheaper.
Some companies, such as Boots, are working hard to reverse the trend and are committed to manufacturing in Nottingham.
There are signs that manufacturers are investing in sophisticated machinery which, yes, may mean fewer jobs, but the profitability and margins improve.
Today, the local enterprise partnership for Notts and Derbyshire, D2N2, publishes its growth plan with the ambitious target of delivering 55,000 new jobs to the two counties by 2023.
Some will come by encouraging and helping existing firms to grow. Others may be generated by investment from countries such as China and India, possibly looking to manufacture in the UK.
In that case, it will be imperative workers have high skill levels.
The growth plan was being unveiled today by D2N2 in front of 200 businesses and stakeholders.
At its core are four strategic priorities for supporting enterprises. They are: business skills, innovation, finance and infrastructure.
And D2N2 is putting its weight behind six priority sectors: transport equipment manufacturing, medical and bio-science, food and drink manufacturing, construction, the visitor economy and low carbon goods and services.
The Growth Plan with provide the framework for the a "growth deal" it agrees with the Government, with a submission to ministers expected at the end of the summer.
D2N2 chief executive David Ralph said: "Our commitment to growth is reflected in the ambitious targets that we have set. We will support firms to innovate, invest, export, grow and create sustainable jobs.
"We will inspire and initiate action to make D2N2 the most competitive, sustainable and innovative business location in the UK. Our vision is transformational, long term and will not be a quick fix.
"We are already prioritising investments and infrastructure to accelerate economic recovery, but we will also focus on the development of the skills of our young people and workforce to ensure our long-term growth and prosperity.
"However, by itself, catalysing the resources of partners within the D2N2 area will not be enough to hit our targets.
"To realise the full potential of our area, we will ask the Government to devolve further resources for direction by D2N2."
Chairman Peter Richardson said Notts and Derbyshire had "a proud history of industry and innovation – making things and innovation is in our economic DNA."
He continued: "The D2N2 area was home to the world's first factory, the Silk Mill in Derby and the area was the heartland of the world's first Industrial Revolution.
"Our world-class universities, competitiveness and dynamic and diverse business base with excellence in high-tech manufacturing, particularly in transport, bioscience and construction means that we can also lead the next. D2N2 is a partnership with the sole purpose of delivering economic growth.
"As a partnership we are committed, in the long term, to taking a prioritised and focused approach to creating the conditions for our businesses to thrive.
"This Growth Plan sets out our priorities for action but it will not, by itself, create growth.
"We will inspire growth by implementing the plan, by securing the investment and inspiring action to support business to invest, sell, employ and train.
"While we will continue to review, refine and improve our plan through being agile in realising emerging growth opportunities, our focus will be on the delivery and creation of new jobs for our communities."