In 2012 the company was praised for its commitment to training apprentices by then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who toured the factory to promote a £1 billion ‘youth contract’ to subsidise employers taking on trainees. He was accompanied by David Ward, the then MP of Bradford. TF Automation owner Tony Hubbert suggested a £10 minimum wage to Nick Clegg, emphasising his belief that low pay doesn’t work. Tony commented: “I’d hate to think that our manufacturing economy is going to be regenerated by creating a low pay economy. We did that 50 years ago and it didn’t work and we’d be foolish to go down that road again.”
