The programme is presented by John Edwards.
In the first film report Geoffrey Negus visits Loughborough University who are carrying out research into a transparent coating for windows which it is hoped will become a cheaper alternative to double glazing. Doctor Ron Howson explains how the technology works and we see the film being manufactured and tested in the laboratory. Dr Howson also talks about how they benefited from European funding.
Next John Edwards looks at the recent decline in the Midlands car component industry who are suffering from competition from cheaper foreign imports. After a clip of the recent motor show at the NEC, graphics illustrating the decline in profits of various companies and stills of the new Panther sports car which has a large number of South Korean components, we see film of Callow and Maddox, a Coventry based firm who make car seats. They have recently lost money in the demise of the Northern Ireland based De Lorean venture and also suffered from the closure of the Triumph car factory in 1980 which was their single biggest customer. Chairman Mike Maddox explains the difficulties faced by relying on a single large customer and how they have diversified into making three piece suits and sofas. Views of production lines at Callow and Maddox making car seats and furniture.
Finally Richard Hudson Evans reports on the success of the Birmingham based Dunlop firm and their involvement in motorcycle racing. We see the rider Randy Mamola returning to the racing division at Fort Dunlop after his recent success in the German Grand Prix. Archive film of the Isle of Man TT race where British made bikes used to dominate. Clip of Mamola winning in Germany on a Japanese bike. Mamola chats to Richard Hudson-Evans and the team at Dunlop about his win and his tyres. We then see the firm using computer design to develop the tyre for his next race in the World Cup at Donington Park and shots of the tyres being hand made in the racing division. Interviews with the tyre designer Steve Male and the chief designer David Buck about why the firm uses racing a test bed for road tyres. At Donington Park we see the lorries from the various racing teams, Randy Mamola and Franco Uncini signing autographs and shots of the riders on the start line and views of the race. Randy Mamola talks about changes to his tyres and designer Peter Ingley talks about Dunlop supplying several teams. At the end of the report it is pointed out that despite all this research, Dunlop's road tyres are made overseas.
Film Camera: Peter Salkeld; Kevin Latimer; John Varnish; Bob Bolt
Film Sound: Del Fuke; Mike Claydon; Bill Dodkin; John Marshall
Film Editor: Peter Essex
Graphics: John Hunt
Music: Vangelis
Production Assistants: Mary Bryne; Shelia Ford
Production: Richard Hudson-Evans; David Fuller; Geoffrey Negus
Film Directors: Donald Shingler; Brian Earley
Studio Director: Andy Martin
Producer: Graham Mole
Edited and Presented by John Edwards
Production number 1773/82.