No buzz like knowing we’re still brilliant at making stuff - Editor's comment

Mclaren unveiled its latest supercar in the early hours of this morning and, you guessed it, it wouldn't have happened without top-notch products made right here.

Isn't that something to be proud of and a poke in the eye, metaphorically, to all those folk who moan that we don’t make owt in South Yorkshire any more. We do, it is ground-breaking, top quality, ingenious and all ours.

It is a while since we dominated the world with the invention of stainless steel (more on that tomorrow for history and manufacturing fans) but we still make stuff that is mind-blowingly good. There was a lot of hype around the new Mclaren Artura hybrid supercar ahead of its reveal just after midnight. This isn’t a car that many, if any, of us will ever have the pleasure of owning but when you occasionally see one passing by, just remember it started life in a high-tech factory just off Parkway.

I have been given a tour of Mclaren HQ in Woking and it is quite something to behold. They are firm believers in team, they only work at the highest standards and it is hard not to get swept away in their own excitement at each development. What a great approach to manufacturing. As expected, they have proved to be a very good addition to our manufacturing base and add to the world-beating experts which call the Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre home.

What is most important about the Mclaren story is that they chose here for several strong reasons. Others will, and have, followed suit. We have skills, we have talent and we have ingenuity – we have always been renowned for that. As we gingerly start to look forward to what the future might hold and how South Yorkshire can best come out of these difficult days, there is plenty to be optimistic about. This is just one example, but one of many.

We need to seize these opportunities to bang our own drum, to show the world what is being done right here and to drive our city forward, ideally in a fashion which reflects the power of the all-new Mclaren supercar.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.