West Midlands firms see rapid growth
29 January 2014 Last updated at 09:02 GMT
Many manufacturing firms in the West Midlands are growing far faster than the UK average, according an organisation set up to support the sector.
Rachel Eade, from the government-backed Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), said growth of up to 10% among firms in the region was the "norm".
According to the office for National Statistics, the UK economy overall grew by 1.9% in 2013, its strongest rate since 2007.
A number of manufacturers in the West Midlands said they had seen a big improvement over the past year.
Petford Tools Ltd, which produces parts for car makers including Jaguar Land Rover, said it had been the perfect time to expand into a new factory in Brierley Hill.
Steve Draper, a sales engineer at the firm, said it had seen a rise in orders from a number of its customers, including Aerospace companies, as well as agriculture and construction vehicle manufacturers.
Coventry-based Premier Group, which produced the 2012 Olympic torches, said it had won contracts worth £8m as a result of its part in the London Games.