Manufacturing and Supply

The Skills and Enterprise Minister, Matthew Hancock MP, has today announced a new £20m opportunity to help automotive supply chain businesses develop their workforce skills to maximise growth opportunities.

The full commodity list for SMMT Meet the Buyer 2014 is now available, with aluminium extrusions, small assemblies and chrome plating on zinc diecasting among the most sought-after components by OEMs.

The UK automotive manufacturing industry is already responding to Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget announcement, which called for the country to produce and export more. This week, a number of car, commercial vehicle and engine manufacturers have announced new investments and business contracts.

Representatives from the UK automotive supply chain were given an insight into the opportunities presented by the industry’s continued growth at the SMMT Open Forum this week.

Automotive heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialist, Denso UK, will be creating more than 140 jobs at its Telford facility and joining six local companies in creating 100 apprenticeship vacancies.

Production of the London Taxi Company’s (LTC) iconic TX4 black cab has restarted at its Coventry plant, following significant facility improvements and job creation by new owners, Geely Group.

The CBI has published a new report calling on government to strengthen UK supply chains though delivery of its industrial strategy plans.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced its latest See Inside Manufacturing (SIM) scheme, which is will give youngsters the chance to experience the car manufacturing industry at first hand, in a programme that runs throughout October.

More than 100 young women interested in engineering, technology and manufacturing careers have been gifted a unique insight into Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as part of its education programme.

UK car manufacturing grew 7% in July, with sites across the UK making 128,873 units.