The EEF are a laughing joke of a trade association - they have about three members and with the exception of Terry Scuoler (of Feranti origin) my cat knows more about manufacturing- The rest of the executive team are bankers and the usual multiple boardroom members from the merger take over and asset stripping 30% equity venture capitalists companies including Capita.
They know nought about actually making tangible things (other than personal wealth) and probably know where Mansion House is , however less so Erdington or Trafford Park
Their endorsement is the usual London centric focus and most certainly unrepresentative of any specific regional industry support they claim to represent.