Schumacher signs up as new Chamber patron

Packaging experts Schumacher have signed up as new patrons of Solihull Chamber of Commerce – in a bid to wipe out poverty in deprived areas of the metropolitan borough.

The German-owned plant near the NEC – part of a multi-national £1bn turnover group – has become the latest patron members of the Solihull Chamber with the aim of highlighting deprivation problems in areas such as Chelmsley Wood and Fordbridge.

Schumacher UK managing director Mike Owens, currently vice-president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are very happy to be involved with Solihull Chamber – it allows us to get involved in more local opportunities.

“It came as a huge surprise to me – what I thought of Solihull is what most people think of Solihull - as being one of the best places to live. And then you find that East Birmingham and North Solihull is one of the most deprived areas in Europe, let alone the UK.

“You start hearing about the whole thing about food poverty and social inequality. It just completely opened up my eyes to something which I think is being swept under the carpet.”

Mike said Schumacher would try to get the private sector involved alongside charitable organisations and community groups to help tackle poverty blackspots in a borough largely viewed by the outside world as affluent.

“The patronage will help because it allows us access to local people, local organisations, local charities, community initiatives, schools, further education facilities etc.

“There is such a myriad of people all trying to do the same thing to a large extent but there is nothing to join it together. It’s simple things like clothing and food but there is nothing to gel that all together.

“You have kids going to school in flip-flops, kids not having any meals, parents not having meals because they put their kids first.

“That is happening in North Solihull right in front of our faces. Patronage allows us to be more focused members of the local community where there are big problems.”

Head of the Solihull Chamber, Sam Frampton, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Schumacher Packaging as our newest Solihull Chamber patron and looking forward to working closely with them.

“Their plans to become more involved in the community and support the local charities, businesses and education providers align with the priorities of the Solihull Chamber, our patrons, executive committee and members.”

Pictured (L-R): Mike Owens and Samantha Frampton