THE Duke of York has visited Thanet to help mark two success stories in the region (Karina Hodder writes).

After a tour of the Thanet campus of Canterbury Christ Church College, the Duke visited Spanish car component firm Grupo Antolin on the EuroKent Business Park at Broadstairs.

The company has created over 170 local jobs since it opened its only UK factory in 2000.

It produces roof linings for car interiors, and is expected to make 800,000 during 2003, 40 per cent of all UK output.

Among its customers are some of the country’s most popular cars, including Nissan, Renault, Peugeot and Land Rover.

The company chose Thanet as its UK base because it was close to continental markets in France and Belgium, from where the vast majority of their raw materials arrive.

It was formed in the 1950s in Burgos, in northern Spain by the current president’s father.

It now has 35 factories across Europe, and staff from Thanet have been visiting Spain for training.

There are several Spanish employees at the Thanet factory, most will return home within the next year.

The Duke spent 90 minutes at the factory, as a representative for international investment and trade. He met with bosses, including company president Jose Antolin, who flew in from Spain especially for the visit.

He then toured the factory floor, joking with staff. Among his first questions to those lined up to greet him was: “Why are you all standing around, haven’t you got any work to do?”

Staff demonstrated the processes used to turn raw materials into recognisable car parts.

Despite running behind schedule, the Duke broke with tradition and posed for a group shot with employees in the car park before leaving. He spoke to a number of employees including Team Leader Sue Haywood who said she was impressed with the Duke’s down-to-earth manner.

She said: “He has no airs and graces, and seemed genuinely interested in what we do. He asked lots of questions and joked with the team members.”