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Across
the UK, entrepreneurs will be inspiring and motivating young people to
have ideas, turn them into reality and make their mark on society
during Enterprise Week (17 to 23 November 2008). In Birmingham, many of
those who have already made their mark in the automotive and motorsport
industries are set to gather at Autosport International in January.
Amongst them will be Birmingham-born business man and double British
Touring Car Champion, Matt Neal.
Not
only a successful racing driver, Matt Neal is also Marketing Director
of the Rimstock Plc Group, which designs and manufactures high-quality
wheels for the automotive and motorsport industry. Neal has helped
build the West
Midlands-based family company into a one-stop-shop
for wheels, with its own design, tooling and production shops. Rimstock
is the largest wheel manufacturer in the UK, making Neal an outstanding
role model for up-and-coming business moguls.
“I
have been involved in Rimstock since the very beginning,” said the
41-year-old, who regularly attends Autosport International, which is
based at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. “The company was
founded in 1985 by my father Steve Neal and a group of directors; there
were only nine of us at the very beginning and I’ve had a very hands-on
role in the company through the years.” Neal has helped expand and
develop the company since its establishment, with Rimstock’s workforce
having grown to approximately 200 staff.
Matt Neal with Rimstock's products
The
businessman knows the importance of hard work and his commitment has
paid dividends in cementing his successful business and racing careers:
“I really enjoy being involved in Rimstock and am extremely passionate
about racing but it can be hard work to juggle both. I am lucky to have
a fantastic team around me, so I am able to fit racing into my
schedule.”
Like
all businesses, Rimstock has had to overcome its hurdles and Neal is
not afraid of a challenge: “Over the years, the hardest thing Rimstock
has come up against is getting recognition from manufacturers. As a
British company, we struggled against some of the European production
companies, but by ensuring fantastic service and quality we have now
secured 70% of our sales directly with manufacturers.”
Rimstock
will be exhibiting its products at Autosport International in January
2009. “We’ve been exhibiting at Autosport International for many
years,” adds Neal. “It is a fantastic opportunity to wave the flag for
Rimstock, as it is a high-profile, local and internationally recognised
show. With the economic climate as it is, the show will reaffirm our
presence in the market.”
“We
are very pleased to have Rimstock at Autosport International once
again,” said Haymarket Exhibitions Show Director Ian France. “Matt Neal
is an outstanding figure in the motorsport industry, for both his
driving and business achievements. He is an inspiration for all those
striving for a career in the sector.”
Neal
will be attending Autosport International in both his working
capacities, as Marketing Director to Rimstock and racing driver for
Vauxhall’s British Touring Car team VX Racing.
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