- Future technology, connectivity and digitalisation in the automotive supply chain top of agenda for SMMT’s Open Forum at Automechanika Birmingham 6 June 2017.
- Major manufacturers Ford and Nissan to speak on how they are investing in new UK supply chain innovation.
- Technology companies Adient and ARM, together with the University of Warwick and Frost & Sullivan, to voice their opinions on trends transforming the automotive industry.
SMMT Open Forum returns to Automechanika Birmingham on 6 June, bringing together automotive supply chain companies and other stakeholders to highlight the cutting-edge technologies and trends that will influence the next generation of vehicles.
SMMT recently highlighted a £2.6 billion opportunity1 available to automotive suppliers from embracing new, innovative digital technologies. These include virtual and augmented reality, advanced robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence, all of which will be used to manufacture the increasingly connected and autonomous vehicles coming to market.
This year’s first SMMT Open Forum will provide a platform for senior automotive industry delegates to hear from vehicle manufacturers, technology companies and industry thought leaders how digitalisation is already happening and what it means for the future of the supply chain.
The impact of computing power and the increased connectivity in our cars will also be explored, along with the need for the development of the UK’s battery supply chain – a crucial area to support domestic manufacture of ultra-low and zero emission vehicles.
The confirmed speaker line-up for Open Forum includes:
- Judith Richardson, Vice President of Purchasing, Nissan Europe – Supplying Nissan – A vision for the future
- Alan Draper, Director, Purchasing, Ford of Europe and Global Team Value Management, Ford – Ford and the UK supply chain
- Michael Flanagan, Vice President, Adient – Future automotive technology and market trends – The view and response of Adient
- Chris Turner, Director of Advanced Technology Marketing, ARM – As cars becomes computers on wheels where will they take us?
- Professor David Greenwood, Advanced Propulsion Systems, WMG, University of Warwick – The UK supply chain for automotive batteries
- Sarwant Singh, Senior Partner and Partner in Charge EIA, Frost & Sullivan – Transformative trends reshaping the future of the automotive supply chain
Now into its second year, Automechanika Birmingham is the UK’s largest automotive supplier event, with this year’s show 70% larger than before and featuring more than 800 exhibitors from across the UK and overseas.
New for 2017 is the Connected and Digital Technology Zone, located within the new, dedicated Supply Chain Zone in Hall 6. Curated by SMMT and Automechanika Birmingham with support from SAI Global, this area will feature a range of interactive products that will enable the design, development and manufacture of the vehicles of tomorrow – from virtual reality headsets to facial recognition software. Adient, Jaguar Land Rover, Nottingham University, Optis, REECO, Renishaw, Semcon and Warwick Manufacturing Group are among the many companies participating.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,
The introduction of new digital technologies into our automotive supply chain is hugely important as we look to secure the UK’s place as a test-bed for the next generation of connected and autonomous vehicles. Digitalisation has the potential to make factories more efficient by reducing machine downtime and maintenance costs, enabling cars to come to market more quickly – which is good for consumers. Success here will go a long way to securing the future prosperity of the entire automotive industry and it’s crucial we remain an attractive destination for inward investment in the face of strong competition from overseas.
Register for SMMT Open Forum at Automechanika Birmingham here.
1 SMMT’s report The Digitalisation of the Automotive Industry
