Chancellor visits British manufacturer Focus SB

The Right Honourable Sajid Javid, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Conservative Party MP for Bromsgrove was welcomed by Roger Kemp our chairman in St Leonards on Sea on Friday 22nd November; the same day as we announced the opening of Focus SB’s 7th sub distributor showroom Fudi in Hangzhou China at a private launch event. Mr Javid enjoyed a private tour around our head office and factory premises based on the outskirts of Hastings in East Sussex, accompanied by local Conservative Party candidate Sally-Ann Hart, to discover how we have risen to the challenges of forthcoming Brexit, deal or no deal, and local issues impacting business operations.

Mr Kemp was delighted Focus SB had attracted the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, who was keen to hear about how the Company made history in our industry by becoming the first and only British and European manufacturer to gain CQC factory accreditation and achieve full CCC licence for all of our products enabling us to sell electrical accessories directly from Europe to mainland China in 2017.

Roger commented: “We are pleased to welcome Sajid Javid to our factory today. It gives recognition to all the hard work put in by our employees and our partners in China to make a success of opening up the China market for our electrical accessories, where we now have seven showrooms and 10 sub distributors.”

Focus SB’s research and development into a new product range for China is just one in a recent string of ongoing major investments made by us since managing director Gary Stevens’ appointment in January 2016, which have included the purchase of an advanced 3D printer; robot cell; expansion into additional premises and growing the workforce. Recently awarded 'Most Dynamic Employer' by local charity Little Gate Farm, our impressive future plans were of considerable interest to Mr Javid as Focus SB looks set to provide real prospects to resident job seekers in Hastings, which is one of the more deprived coastal towns in Sussex, despite being one of the richest in culture and diversity.

Not his first time to Hastings, Sajid Javid MP, the then Culture Secretary, visited the Jerwood Gallery in early 2015, Hastings (now Hastings Contemporary) accompanied by Amber Rudd, MP for Hastings & Rye, and former Home Secretary, who visited Focus SB last March.


Mr Javid himself is no stranger to coastal communities and the challenges to businesses in these areas, and delivered a £40 million cash boost in 2017 announcing. “This latest investment delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to support fishing and coastal communities, and create an economy that works for everyone.” The then Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We’re backing the Great British Coast with £40 million to create new jobs, boost economic growth and increase tourism.”