There was equally positive news on recent performance with 47% of respondents reporting a rise in sales turnover (+4% on Q4 2012), while 93% of manufacturers are looking to take staff on or maintain current workforce levels.

Appetite for investment has also seen an upturn, with 39% planning to boost spending on new technologies and 48% intending to invest in new machinery and premises – both 4% up on the same period last year.

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said, “We have a strong manufacturing base here in the UK. As we see through the latest MAS Barometer, business confidence is on the rise, particularly among SMEs, indicating that manufacturers are becoming more optimistic about their future growth plans.

“The report also indicates that challenges remain for manufacturers. MAS works with businesses to maximise their efficiency, reduce waste and grasp new commercial opportunities – all key drivers for growth. I would encourage SMEs seeking to improve their operations and increase their bottom line to contact their local MAS.”

Lorraine Holmes, Area Director for MAS in the North and West explained, “If you compare findings with the similar period in 2012, you will see that firms are a lot more optimistic, with most key performance responses measured showing positive improvements.

“There appears to be a greater appetite from SMEs for investment in order to remain competitive and I think we are also seeing a desire to create jobs to meet expected demand.”

The MAS Barometer 2013 surveyed 700 manufacturing SMEs across England, providing an overview of economic conditions and issues faced by the sector from January to March this year.

MAS, which is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), works for manufacturers and through experienced advisors can help shape strategy, create new products, reduce waste and review supply chains.

Click through to read the full findings of the latest MAS Barometer. To participate in the next MAS Barometer, contact barometer@mymas.org.

CLICK HERE: SMMT Update 268 online.

The former chief executive of Trading Standards Institute takes up the position of non-executive director immediately, a decision ratified this week by the Motor Codes board.

Chris Mason, managing director, views the appointment as a significant move and one which paves the way for further strengthening regulatory relations:

“Motor Codes worked closely with Ron, throughout his tenure at the Trading Standards Institute, and his influence and expertise played no small role in shaping Motor Codes into the credible, effective consumer protection body that it has become.

“Ron joining us comes at an important time for self-regulation, with the Trading Standards Institute set to launch its custodianship of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, in succession to the Office of Fair Trading, to the public in June and we look forward to sharing in Ron’s expertise as the automotive industry enters this next phase of consumer protection.”

Ron Gainsford has worked alongside Motor Codes throughout its evolution, primarily as chair of its Independent Compliance Assessment Panel and is keen to contribute to the continued relevance of the code for car owners:

“Trading Standards Institute worked with the automotive industry for a number of years on implementing a consumer safety net in the new car sales and car servicing sectors.  It is a great achievement that there is now an extensive, approved mechanism in place that directs people to a trusted environment.  I look forward to helping Motor Codes strengthen its position as the approved garage code and in its continued, successful efforts in reducing consumer detriment.”

Motor Codes works at the heart of the government’s self-regulatory set-up, operating Trading Standards approved codes and formally partnering Citizens Advice in its call-handling operation, where calls relate to car purchases and warranty claims.

The extent and diversity of Motor Codes’ make-up is reflected in its subscription numbers, counting the vast majority of the UK’s franchised dealer network, alongside 1,850 independent garages.

More information on subscription benefits can be found at www.motorcodes.co.uk.

At next month’s SMMT International Automotive Summit, supported by Motorexpo, a ‘Technology stream’ will explore the prospects for these developments with an expert panel of speakers contributing to: UK as a Centre for Automotive Innovation – this stream is sponsored by KPMG.

Commenting on the importance of debate around UK automotive innovation, John Leech, Automotive Partner, KPMG LLP said, “The UK automotive sector is changing like never before. Rapid emerging market demand contrasts with huge pressures from the Eurozone. Legislation and public opinion is driving a low carbon agenda but connected vehicles and interlinked mobility are of rising importance. The UK supply chain needs to innovate and skills, investment and the commercialisation of research and development are urgent themes for debate.”

Held at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf, on 13 June the Technology stream will feature contributions from nine experts representing a broad spectrum of the industry. From engineering chiefs at major vehicle manufacturers to experts at the cutting edge of innovation. Speakers include:

• Suzanne Gray, General Manager, BMW i, BMW Group UK
• Toby Peters, CEO, Dearman Engineering Company
• Graham Hoare, Executive Director for Powertrain Engineering, Ford of Europe
• Dr Graham Cooley, CEO, ITM Power
• Dr Graeme Smith, Chief Engineer, Electronics and Control Systems, Ricardo UK
• Ken Gibson, Editor, Motors, The Sun
• Toscan Bennett, Vice President Product Planning, Volvo Car
• Professor Dr Wolfgang Steiger, Director of Future Technologies, VW Group
• Tim Woolmer, CTO, YASA Motors

For more information and to book tickets, go to www.smmt.co.uk/summit

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 10-16 June. To find out more about this year’s Summit, click here.

Rate of decline in CV output slows in April

• Commercial vehicle (CV) output fell 3.3% in April to 8,623 units.
• While output continued to decline in April, the fall was less pronounced and output for the home market grew.
• CV output so far this year is down 15.2% and while some CV manufacturers are performing better than others, net volumes are expected to fall over the full year.

UK engine production up 10% in April

• UK engine output rose 9.9% in April to 211,452 units.
• Earlier shortfalls ensure engine production during the year-to-date fell 2.1% at 871,707 units.
• Volumes for the home market rose, in line with registration trends. Export volumes have fallen so far this year, however, did rise modestly in April.

Click through to download the UK automotive manufacturing news release for April 2013.

If you use these figures in online editorial, please reference www.smmt.co.uk/data as the source.

The established ‘Working Assets’ programme has been developed by The Foyer Federation and seeks to develop the skills of young people to enable them to be employable and, ultimately, independent adults. SMMT, through its Charitable Trust, has partnered with The Foyer Federation to deliver an automotive-specific programme targeted at careers in the UK motor industry. This is the first time the scheme has focused on an individual sector of this scale.

Building on the success of a pilot programme that ran last year, SMMT members BMW Group UK, Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) and Unipart Group have each signed up to support this year’s initiative, partnering with their local Foyers to undertake bespoke projects and activities. These will include skills workshops, training schemes and plant visits as well as hands-on activity such as problem-solving exercises, team-building projects, practical work experience and involvement with local sustainability initiatives.

Commenting on the programme, SMMT Interim Chief Executive, Mike Baunton said, “Following last year’s highly successful pilot, we are both delighted and honoured to be working with The Foyer Federation again to deliver an effective programme that will develop the skills of young people and showcase careers in automotive.

“Our industry offers a fantastic range of job opportunities for all young people, irrespective of where they come from or what they have experienced. It’s terrific to see the range of automotive companies committed to this project, pioneering activities that will enable young people to access new opportunities, broaden their interests and experience our vibrant sector first-hand.”

Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of The Foyer Federation added, “A decent job with prospects is probably the most critical factor in enabling young people to move to sustainable, independent adulthood. That is why it is vital to create a new conversation between employers and those young people who face challenges as they grow up.

The Foyer Federation is thrilled to be working with SMMT and its members for a second year to build bridges for young people into a sector that is so important to the country’s growth and prosperity. SMMT and the automotive partners involved join a growing list of employers and housing associations who want to invest in young people’s assets and support their positive transition to adulthood.”

During last year’s pilot scheme, 30 young people from Foyers across the UK took part in activities and projects led by Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) and Unipart Group. 73% of participants have since gone on to employment, education or training. To find out more about the young people that took part in last year’s pilot and where they are now, download case studies or click here to watch a short video and hear about their experiences.

Follow the progress of this year’s programme on Twitter at @SMMT and @Foyerfederation or online at www.foyer.net.

CLICK HERE: SMMT Update 267 online.

116 UK suppliers support the build of the UK-designed, engineered and manufactured Jaguar F-TYPE with 50% of suppliers from the West Midlands. In all, 270 companies worldwide featured in the sportscar’s order book following the completion of a global competitive tendering exercise on component sourcing for the vehicle.

Jaguar Land Rover has created almost 9,000 new jobs in the UK over the last two years, including 2,000 new engineers and 350 to directly support the new F-TYPE. The contracts awarded to support the F-TYPE are expected to create thousands more new skilled jobs across the UK’s automotive supply chain.

Ian Harnett, Jaguar Land Rover’s Purchasing Director said, “As one of the leading investors in automotive research and development in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover generates several billion pounds of economic activity here every year. As today’s announcement demonstrates we are working with world-class suppliers to strengthen the UK automotive supply base and support our ambitious plans for growth in the future.”

Destined for customers around the world, the new Jaguar F-TYPE vehicles were loaded onto a train at the company’s onsite rail facility at Castle Bromwich earlier today. With sales in over 170 countries, Jaguar Land Rover generates export revenues approaching £11 billion each year, making it one of the UK’s largest exporters by value. It anticipates that it will export more than 75% of Jaguar F-TYPE vehicles produced. The USA is expected to be the largest market with almost half of all sales, closely followed by the UK and Germany.

Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s Global Brand Director said, “Since we unveiled the car last year, the level of customer interest in the F-TYPE has been unprecedented. It is a very proud moment for us to see some of the very first customer cars leave our Castle Bromwich facility today.”

Last month, almost 450 potential customers were given an exclusive insight into the F-TYPE and a behind the scenes tour of the Castle Bromwich factory. Jaguar Land Rover has invested significantly in its Castle Bromwich manufacturing facility to create the fastest and most advanced Jaguar sports car production line for the F-TYPE.

F-TYPE production has been incorporated into the manufacturing operation at Castle Bromwich to maximise capacity, technology and skills at the plant. Jaguar Land Rover has utilised and enhanced the manufacturing techniques and technologies employed for the Jaguar XK production, while introducing new equipment and processes specifically required for the F-TYPE. The all-aluminium construction of the F-TYPE is carried out in Castle Bromwich’s 14,000 square metre body shop, which employs manufacturing techniques adapted from the aerospace industry.

For more information about UK automotive manufacturing, supply, employment and other facts and figures, download SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts 2013.

Martin Bayfield, most recently a presenter of BBC Crimewatch (apt as a former police officer) and as Hagrid’s body double in the Harry Potter films, will provide the after dinner address at this year’s event, which brings together friends and colleagues from across industry, government and the media for an evening of networking and discussion.

“The SMMT Annual Dinner is the must-attend event in the automotive calendar. Many in our industry are rugby fans, and with the Lions touring this summer, I am particularly excited to announce that Martin Bayfield who is both a rugby expert (with three Lions caps) and a highly entertaining speaker, will headline what promises to be a memorable evening,” said Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive. “With the Industrial Strategy for Automotive underpinning plans to build on a strong retail and manufacturing year in the UK, our Annual Dinner will provide a grand setting for the industry to come together and discuss our achievements and growth objectives.”

SMMT President, Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW Group UK, will make the keynote address at the Dinner, reflecting on recent successes by UK automotive as well as looking to the future.

The winners of SMMT’s Award for Automotive Innovation 2013, sponsored by GKN Driveline and supported by The Times, and the Autocar Courland Next Generation Award will be announced during the evening’s proceedings.

Tickets are currently on sale for the SMMT Annual Dinner and can be purchased by e-mailing annualdinner@smmt.co.uk.

Land Rover, in collaboration with UK charity WISE, has announced a new scholarship programme to enable young women to pursue a career in engineering.

The Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship will provide a £9,000 bursary to three female students or apprentices who would like to explore a career or further studies in engineering. In addition the winners will be provided with mentoring support from both Land Rover senior engineers and WISE representatives.

WISE is a UK-based charity that helps organisations to inspire women and girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as pathways to exciting and fulfilling careers. 

Nicci Cook, Senior HR Manager at Land Rover said, “Land Rover has a proud tradition of encouraging diversity in the workplace. Engineering is at the very heart of our business and we rely on a broad range of talents to give us a competitive edge and help us move forward. We hope that the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship will inspire a new generation of women in engineering.”

According to a report published by EngineeringUK, Britain needs to double the number of engineering graduates and triple the number of engineering apprentices by 2020 to meet industry needs. At present, just 13% of engineering undergraduates are female, something Land Rover is determined to address. In addition to the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship, Land Rover already runs specific training schemes to support ambitious female engineers.

Speaking about the Scholarship, WISE Director Helen Wollaston said, “The greatest British brands emerged through creativity, innovation and passion – all qualities which shine through all the female engineers I have met, but at the moment, there are far too few of them. This new scholarship offers a really good start for a young woman entering the engineering profession. The industry needs to attract more female talent; this is a wonderful opportunity to do just that.”

The scholarship has also been welcomed by government. Minister for Skills, Matthew Hancock MP said, “Britain needs more engineers from a diverse range of backgrounds to compete effectively in today’s world. The government is delighted that the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship recognises the key role played by female engineers and hopes that it will encourage more women to pursue a career in this exciting, dynamic industry.”

The Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship is open to any woman who has arranged an engineering-based apprenticeship or has a confirmed place on a higher education engineering course. For more information and to apply visit: www.inspiringtomorrowsengineers.com

Click through to find out more about skills, training, apprenticeships and careers in UK automotive.