The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has today announced that procurement directors from some of the UK’s largest automotive manufacturers will deliver insight on their future purchasing strategies during a series of discussions around Growth in the supply chain, supported by KPMG, at the fourth International Automotive Summit, to be held at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf, on 12 June.

According to a recent report into the UK commodities market, over 80% of components required for vehicle assembly in the UK can now be sourced nationally, a fact that will drive discussion by senior industry figures. Ian Harnett, Director of Purchasing, Jaguar Land Rover; Dave Cameron, Vice President Purchasing, Nissan International, and Mark Adams Vice President Purchasing, Toyota Europe, will outline their procurement strategies, providing valuable insight into how suppliers can adapt and win future contracts. All this and more will feature in the session Opportunities for supply chain growth.

Within the stream, Growth in the supply chain, will be the following sessions:

• Opportunities for supply chain growth – how UK-based suppliers can best prepare for future OEM demand.
• Bridging the skills gap – the importance of attracting the brightest and most skilled employees, and ensuring the UK workforce remains globally competitive.
• Finance for growth – an expert panel offering case studies on funding sources and how best they can be used to meet growth objectives.

SMMT Chief Executive, Paul Everitt commented, “Over the past 18 months we have seen an unprecedented level of investment committed to the UK by global vehicle manufacturers securing new model programmes, new facilities and R&D activity. To make the most of these opportunities we need to ensure the UK-based supply chain is winning a higher proportion of supply contracts and delivering the global Quality Cost Delivery requirements of manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers.”

John Leech, Automotive Partner, KPMG LLP, added, “Automotive manufacturing is one of the most vibrant and dynamic parts of the UK economy with strong future growth prospects throughout the sector. The UK supply chain is in a position to benefit from recent investment but as international competition intensifies, getting a firm grip on key issues such as investment and skills will be crucial to longer term success.”

UK automotive provided over 14,000 new apprenticeships last year and is a global leader in manufacturing innovation.  Attracting the brightest and best talent is critical to long term success. Chaired by Richard Parry Jones, Automotive Council, the expert panel for Bridging the skills gap -Christine Gaskell, MBE, Member of Board, Personnel from Bentley Motors and Phil Millward, HR Director, Vauxhall – will describe the challenges of fostering the best engineering talent of tomorrow, how to bridge the skills gap through graduate programmes and the continued training needs of an evolving workforce.

Concluding the stream Growth in the supply chain, a panel including John Leech, Partner, KPMG LLP; Richard Hill, Head of Automotive Sector, RBS Corporate Banking, and Mark Bryant, Business Director, Business Growth Fund – Investment Funding, will share their knowledge through a series of case studies demonstrating how various funding streams can be used to achieve different business objectives.

Along with opening keynote speeches from Ian Robertson, BMW Board Member, Global Sales and Marketing, and Peter Tyroller, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH, experienced heads from the world of automotive will be seated on the panels for streams one and two covering The changing face of vehicle retail supported by GForces Web Management and Innovation in ultra-low carbon technology, supported by EDF Energy.

The demand for tickets at the Summit has been significant and all allocated tickets have now been sold. Anyone wishing to attend should e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk to be added to the waiting list for any tickets that become available.

To discuss advertising, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, please contact 0808 178 8818 or summit@smmt.co.uk.The event will be held alongside the Canary Wharf Motorexpo, which runs from 11-17 June.