LORD Mandelson also launched the search for a Made in Sheffield award winner - describing the honour as "a hallmark of business excellence".
He attended the first Made in Sheffield awards dinner back in 1998.
"Being here brings back good memories," he said. "What I remember most is the passion and commitment of the business people I met.
"Their pride in Sheffield's past achievements and belief in its potential were inspiring. So it's good to be back to see for myself how much Sheffield has fulfilled that promise and also to launch the search for the Made in Sheffield award winner.
"From the Sheffield cricketers, who established the world's first football club, to the cutting-edge breakthroughs of your world-class universities and the secret recipe for Hendersons Relish - this is a city with revolutionary ideas.
"This award recognises the next generation helping Sheffield compete with the best in the world.
Watch our video interview with Lord Mandelson -
CLICK HEREFull a report and photographs on Lord Mandelson's Made in Sheffield visit, see The Star on Saturday, November 29, 2008.READ MOREMain news indexYour letters.
FeaturesMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport.The full article contains 228 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
