Editing Ipswich (section)

==Industry==
[[File:Fairline testing facility Ipswich and 4 Yachts.jpg|thumb|Four [[Fairline Yachts Ltd.|Fairline Yachts]] outside Fairline's Ipswich testing facility]]

Being the county town of agricultural Suffolk, industry around Ipswich has had a strong farming bias with [[Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies|Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies Ltd]], one of the most famous agricultural manufacturers, located in the town. The world's first commercial [[lawnmower|motorised lawnmower]] was built by Ransomes in 1902. [[Ransomes & Rapier]] was a major British manufacturer of railway equipment and later cranes, from 1869 to 1987. There was a [[sugar beet]] factory at Ipswich for many years; it was closed in 2001 as part of a rationalisation by [[British Sugar]]. This agricultural link is preserved in the [[Ipswich Town F.C.|local football club]]'s nickname "The Tractor Boys". Phillips & Piper Ltd on Old Foundry Road employed many women who sewed equestrian and hunt jackets for Harrods, Pytchley, and other labels for 130 years, finally closing down in June 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Days Gone By - Sew many wonderful memories of Phillips and Piper clothing works in Ipswich |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/days-gone-by-sew-many-wonderful-memories-of-phillips-and-piper-clothing-works-in-ipswich-1-4613560 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226084445/https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/days-gone-by-sew-many-wonderful-memories-of-phillips-and-piper-clothing-works-in-ipswich-1-4613560 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=26 December 2018 |website=Ipswich Star |date=13 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Willis Building Ipswich.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|230x230px|The [[Willis Building (Ipswich)|Willis Building]] in Ipswich was one of [[Foster and Partners|Foster + Partners]] earliest commissions, built in 1975.]]

The [[British Telecom|British Telecom Research Laboratories]] were located to the east of the town in 1975 at [[Martlesham Heath]]; it is now a [[science park]] called [[Adastral Park]]. The area was originally [[RAF Martlesham Heath]], a World War II airfield. Part of the old airfield is now the site of [[Suffolk Constabulary]]'s police headquarters.

A key employment sector is insurance, both wholesale and retail sectors. Some of the major players with a key presence in Ipswich include [[AXA|Axa]], [[Churchill Insurance|Churchill]], [[Legal & General]], [[Liverpool Victoria|LV]] and [[Willis Towers Watson]]. Access to a skilled and experienced workforce has also led to the establishment of ancillary businesses serving these companies, including call centres dealing with sales and claims.

Ipswich is one of the [[Haven ports]] and is still a working port, handling several million tonnes of [[cargo]] each year. Prior to decommissioning, [[HMS Grafton (F80)|HMS ''Grafton'']] was a regular visitor to the port and has special links with the town and the county of Suffolk. [[HMS Orwell|HMS ''Orwell'']], named after the river, is also closely linked with Ipswich.