A TRIO of MPs representing Worcestershire and Shropshire constituencies have visited rocket motors firm Roxel UK at Summerfield.

Wyre Forest's MP Mark Garnier, together with Minister of Defence Equipment Support and Technology (Min DEST), Philip Dunne, whose Ludlow constituency includes Cleobury Mortimer and Sir Peter Luff, Mid Worcestershire, which includes Hartlebury, all have significant interest in Roxel UK’s role as a supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence and as a major local employer.

The MPs were received by Roxel Group’s chief executive Jacques Desclaux and Roxel UK’s managing director Mark Hardman. The visit included a tour of manufacturing and research facilities plus an update on key project progress and Roxel’s key technologies.

Mr Dunne said: “I was delighted to join Sir Peter Luff MP and Mark Garnier MP to see the important work being done by Roxel in Kidderminster to support the MoD.

"A European leader in tactical propulsion, the company is involved in Rapier and Sea Skua missiles, used by the RAF and Royal Navy. I was pleased to meet some of the highly-skilled technicians, whose work is helping to protect our Armed Forces. Part of Roxel's test and evaluation facilities are in the Wyre Forest, on the edge of my constituency.”

Mr Hardman said: “As MoD is the main customer for Roxel UK it was particularly satisfying to have the opportunity to host all three local MPs including the current and previous Min DEST."

Roxel (UK Rocket Motors) Ltd is part of Roxel Group, undertaking research, development, manufacture and support of solid rocket motors and associated systems. The rocket motors are mainly used for propulsion of guided missiles.

The UK MoD is Roxel UK’s major end customer. The firm employs 175 people and the site has been in operation at Summerfield for more than 50 years.

In addition to the Summerfield site there is a test and evaluation facility located in Wyre Forest. Roxel Group is 50 per cent owned by the European missile manufacturer MBDA and 50 per cent by international high-technology group Safran.