Prime minister David Cameron visited the Northern Irish forklift manufacturing site of US-owned Nacco Materials Handling Group yesterday (20 November) and praised the factory for its ability to compete and succeed in "the global race".

Situated in Craigavon, the 600-employee Nacco plant is the largest UK counterbalance truck production site, making up to 14,000 units each year under the Hyster and Yale brands. It is also the largest producer of the 12-strong Nacco global manufacturing locations. Up to 80% of production is exported to Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.

Plant manager Alan Little welcomed the PM, saying: "With over 30 years' experience in Craigavon, and 375,000 forklift trucks later, we have proven that we can successfully and competitively manufacture product in Northern Ireland, for export all around the world."

David Cameron praised the behaviour of the company and its workforce in responding to the global economic challenges by investing in efficiency and skills, in particular apprenticeship and training initiatives "to help this business survive and thrive".

The PM used the visit to announce that the 2013 G8 summit will be held in Loch Erne, Northern Ireland.

UK service activity for Yale and Hyster brands is carried out by distributor Briggs Equipment.