More than 300 industry experts, policy makers and supplier representatives will gather today, to explore the potential to strengthen and grow the UK supply chain, following the wave of investment pledged by global vehicle manufacturers during the last two years.
Held in Solihull, the event will focus on how UK-based automotive suppliers can exploit new growth prospects and the support needed to ensure that component companies at every level of the chain can access this potential.
Building on discussions that took place at the last SMMT Open Forum event in March, attending delegates will once again benefit from presentations delivered by a range of industry and political representatives providing insight on the outlook for the automotive supply chain.
The first session will explore the work undertaken by the Automotive Council to boost the UK’s £4.8 billion automotive supply network. Leading the presentations will be Richard Parry-Jones, Automotive Council Co-Chair; Jon Beasley (GKN), Automotive Council Technology Group member and Michael Mychajluk (Jaguar Land Rover), Automotive Council Supply Chain Group member.
Speakers will also include Phil Davies, Automotive Analyst for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) who will outline the findings of the latest Automotive Council supply chain commodity survey. Launched in August, the full report highlighted more than £3bn of opportunities awaiting UK suppliers, highlighting the key components that vehicle manufacturers are looking to source locally and priority areas for growth.
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, will explore the need to implement a formalised industrial strategy to ensure the future prosperity of UK automotive manufacturing. Concluding the speaker session, Ian Henry, Director of AutoAnalysis, will provide an update on the current and future car manufacturing trends in Europe.
