Inward investment bodies mount united front for Advanced Engineering trade show
INWARD investment organisations from across the West Midlands are putting on a united front to underline the importance of the advanced manufacturing sector to the region’s future growth.
The various bodies will come together for the first time at the Advanced Engineering UK trade show, which takes place at the NEC on November 11-12. The exhibition is a showcase for the region’s engineering expertise.
Four regional partners – Business Birmingham, Invest Black Country, Make It Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire and Invest in Worcestershire – will all be present and they have secured the support of the European Regional Development Fund to help promote their individual areas during the show.
Their West Midlands Advanced Engineering and West Midlands Investment Forum stands will be based in close proximity to other regional partners Warwickshire Investment Partnership and Invest in Telford.
The region is a world leader in advanced engineering and home to over a quarter of the UK’s skilled advanced engineering workforce.International names such as Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin, together with a buoyant supply chain of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers all based here. Together they create a globally recognised hub of engineering talent.
Advanced Engineering UK 2014 will comprise five interlinked shows representing priority UK high value engineering and technology sectors: Automotive Engineering, Composites Engineering, Aero Engineering, Auto Electronics, and Performance Metals Engineering.
SME support is a key element of this year’s event and the local investment partners are being joined by 12 local SMEs, each of which will help to showcase the region’s expertise in advanced engineering.
Access to the latest industry insights will also be available during the show, as will the opportunity to meet delegates from across Europe. The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) will also be present on the stand, conducting one-to-one business support workshops across the two days.
A West Midlands Investment Forum opportunities lounge will enable prospective investors, suppliers and intermediaries to meet with local investment officers face to face.
The four inward investment organisations are also hosting two events on the main programme targeting SMEs – a ‘Made in the Midlands’ panel discussion, and a presentation about the Advanced Propulsion Centre, the hub of which is based at The University of Warwick.
Wouter Schuitemaker, investment director of Business Birmingham, Birmingham’s inward investment programme said: “Advanced engineering is an incredibly valuable industry across all parts of the West Midlands – which is why we are working together to promote the region’s in-depth knowledge and expertise in this sector.
“With a record 12,000 delegates at last year’s show, Advanced Engineering UK is the ideal platform to profile our capabilities within engineering and manufacturing. Thanks to its robust talent pool, university courses geared towards component engineering, and its emerging infrastructure and transport links, this region offers a wealth of knowledge and resources to potential investors in this sector.”
Walsall-based Lodent Precision, which specialises in toolmaking and precision engineering, is one of the exhibiting SMEs.
Director Chris Sharratt said: “Advanced Engineering UK provides a valuable opportunity for Lodent to raise our profile within the industry. Exhibiting at this year’s show will enable us to seek out business ventures and explore new markets, while receiving guidance and support from the partners at our stand. Networking opportunities like this are essential for our business, and we are aiming to meet a range of potential new customers throughout the event.”
