SMMT News

UK suppliers offered key to global markets

13 September 2004 #SMMT News

‘Business process improvement’ unlocks the door to the global market

– Supplier Campus 2004 offers UK suppliers the key

Vehicle makers around the world are ready to do business with the leanest companies in the UK component supply chain. That’s the message for around 250 delegates expected at Supplier Campus 2004, a training programme which takes place at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry on 17 and 18 November 2004.

Supported by SMMT Industry Forum, the second annual Supplier Campus has been set up to help bring success to suppliers at home and on the international stage. The hands-on approach will focus delegates’ attention on how companies can make real productivity gains, by increasing efficiencies, reducing waste and lowering costs. It will also spotlight the importance of getting the most from a company’s biggest asset – its staff.

Commenting on the value of Supplier Campus training, particularly for tier two and three suppliers, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘Business process improvement is not a phrase that grabs headlines, but it is probably the most important lesson that suppliers can learn. This training clearly identifies that need. It presents the steps to profitability, opens the door to business opportunities at home and broadens the scope for development into emerging markets like China and India.’

He added, ‘TS 16949 is a global standard that manufacturers across the globe increasingly use as a minimum requirement for supplier business. Supplier Campus 2004 is a vital pit stop on the road to achieving this benchmark.’

Designed to be relevant to all delegates at Supplier Campus 2004 are three keynote presentations, delivered by senior executives at McKechnie, MG Rover Group and GKN. These will focus on policy deployment, leadership and managing change, maximising people skills and the benefits of employing an integrated management system.

Complementing these are a series of five small group workshops and nine seminars. Each workshop, to be delivered by Industry Forum trainers in three-hour slots, is fully interactive and embraces their famous ‘learning by doing’ approach to process improvement.

Delegates can also choose from a menu of nine seminars, presented by vehicle manufacturers and tier one suppliers. Taking part are Avon Automotive, Bentley, Cosworth Technology, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, MG Rover Group, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota with the spotlight on areas including practical problem solving, business excellence and matching skills for business needs.

In addition to a comprehensive programme, delegates at Supplier Campus 2004 will receive a complimentary set of SMMT Business Improvement Guides for use on the shop floor. Recently updated by SMMT, these offer important advice on Process Management, Continual Improvement Tools and Techniques, Statistical Process Control and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.

Delegates can also book places at a networking dinner, to be held on the evening of Wednesday 17 November.

Notes to editors:

  1. For booking details see: www.suppliercampus.co.uk
  2. Accelerate West Midlands will be funding small and medium sized enterprises from the automotive supply chain to help them attend the event.

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