Supply Chain Resilience Programme
The UK automotive supply chain is operating in a challenging and fast‑evolving environment. SMMT’s Supply Chain Resilience Programme (SCRP) brings together cross‑departmental expertise to help suppliers navigate disruption, seize opportunities and strengthen competitiveness through 2026 and beyond.
Why resilience matters
The automotive sector faces pressures from geopolitical tensions, market volatility, rising operational costs and increasing regulatory obligations.
Suppliers are also managing skills shortages, customer expectations, localisation pressures and heightened cyber‑security risks, all while undergoing an industrial transformation in the form of electrification.
Future vehicle programme decisions will shape the UK’s manufacturing footprint, meaning a strong, competitive and resilient supply chain is essential.
What the Resilience Programme includes
The programme consolidates SMMT expertise, intelligence, events and support services under one resilience banner, including:
- Member meetings and specialist groups such as our Automotive Components Section, Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Group and Logistics Forum.
- Key commercially focused events like Meet the Buyer, trade missions, and sector diversification activities.
- Supply chain insights around localisation opportunities and future production outlooks.
- Workshops, webinars and training across resilience, competitiveness, cyber security and funding.
Support accessing national and regional funding like Drive35.
Five key themes
1. Navigating the Future
- Insight on geopolitics, trade tensions, protectionism and regulatory shifts.
- Market outlooks covering volumes, programme delays and long‑term trends.
- Policy and regulatory updates including ZEV transition, AV deployment and sustainability requirements.
- Strategic forums including Automotive Components Section, Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Group and Logistics Forum
2. Winning New Business
- Insights into localisation opportunities content opportunity analysis.
- Sector diversification activities (such as Auto to Defence) with webinars, events and introductions.
- Meet the Buyer events, trade missions and showcase events.
- Access to the SMMT membership network including OEM and Tier 1 suppliers.
- Domestic and international market intelligence.
3. Building Competitiveness
- Advocacy on energy costs, industrial strategy, funding and policy alignment.
- Support on quality, sustainability reporting and operational improvement through the likes of Supplier Quality Management (SQM)
- Energy and sustainability guidance including access to expertise.
- Access to energy cost saving programmes such as Climate Change Agreements (CCAs).
4. Supporting Investment
- Guidance across national and regional funding landscapes (Drive35, regional funds).
- Established connections with national, regional and cluster‑level funders.
- Support for investment in skills development and training.
- Investment prospectus championing the UK as a place to invest.
5. Boosting Operational Resilience
- Cyber security support including webinars, insurance guidance and partner introductions.
- Support for suppliers in distress via a network of partners across the SMMT membership base.
- Resilience workshops and assessment tools for diagnosing strengths and weaknesses.
How to Get Involved
Members can contact the Supply Chain team to access Suppy Chain Resilience Programme activities, request tailored guidance or join relevant initiatives.
Non‑members can engage with selected activities and explore how SMMT membership unlocks the full offer.
Find out how your company can become involved in the SMMT Supply Chain Resilience Programme.
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