(Top, from left: Mike Mychajluk and Neil Rami. Bottom, from left: Mike Dinsdale, Joe Greenwell, David Atkinson and Michael Boyd)

A NEW initiative designed to attract more investment into the West Midlands’ thriving automotive sector has been officially launched.

Run by inward investment agency Marketing Birmingham and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), with support from local partners, Drive West Midlands will support companies throughout the supply chain and overseas investors looking to locate in the region.

It will build on work by UKTI’s Automotive Investment Organisation (AIO) – which aims to promote the UK automotive sector abroad and attract new investment – and involves the West Midlands Investment Forum, which comprises inward investment leads from the six Local Enterprise Partnerships in the region.

The programme aims to help fill the estimated £4bn sourcing gap in Britain’s automotive industry – and bring new highly skilled jobs to the West Midlands.

Just a third (30-35%) of components for UK vehicles are made in this country and the industry is keen that this should increase to put it on a par with European competitors, where the rate is closer to 50%.

With national vehicle production expected to increase from 1.5 million in 2014 to more than 2 million by 2018, there is huge potential for companies in local supply chains.

Drive West Midlands will help suppliers capitalise on the growth of this sector by coordinating activity such as:
• Introducing smaller firms to potential new customers through ‘meet the buyer’ events and trade delegations;
• Creating Best Practice Clubs, helping companies to share ideas and encouraging mutual assistance;
• Hosting Business Development Workshops on topics such as exports, quality standards, access to finance, and recruitment; and
• Promoting the West Midlands as a destination for international automotive firms at regional and national events.

Neil Rami, chief executive at Marketing Birmingham, said: “The success of our automotive sector relies on nurturing its supply chain. Global manufacturers still need networks of suppliers based just minutes away from their plants. With 90% of the region’s automotive companies having fewer than 100 employees, supporting the development of these smaller firms is crucial to growing the wider industry across the West Midlands.”

There are more than 1,100 specialist automotive companies in the West Midlands, employing some 40,000 people and working for major brands including Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Toyota and BMW. Of the world’s top 100 suppliers, 50 have a presence in the region.

The Drive West Midlands launch event attracted many senior business figures from within the automotive sector and featured a keynote speech by Michael Boyd, managing director of UKTI.

The event also involved a panel discussion featuring Joe Greenwell, CEO of the AIO; Mike Dinsdale, Managing Director at local manufacturer Guhring; Mike Mychajluk, Supply Chain & External Engagement Manager at Jaguar Land Rover; and David Atkinson, UK Head of Manufacturing at Lloyds Banking Group.

Mr Boyd said: “The UK’s automotive industry is doing an extraordinary job. But with UK vehicle production expected to soar to record levels, it is vital for the West Midlands – and indeed the whole of the UK’s supply chain, together with local and regional bodies plus UK government – to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity, drive a step change in the quality and quantity of investment into the automotive sector and deliver the high quality jobs that will come from it.

“When added to our outstanding universities, and cutting edge research and design facilities, this creates a world-class automotive cluster in our region and is a superb base upon which Drive West Midlands can build.”

Source: The Business Desk