Swedish companies plan move to Coventry to access automotive sector

FOUR Swedish companies have selected Coventry as its “preferred city” to set up a UK base as they look to establish working relationships with manufacturers.

The plans by EBP, PE, Safeman and YTAB follow on from a visit last year by a 21-strong cluster of Swedish firms called Techtank.

Craig Humphrey, managing director of the CW Growth Hub, said: “This really is very good news for Coventry and Warwickshire. The visit in November went very well and we were able to showcase the range of potential customers for members of Techtank.

“Now after weighing up the potential of Coventry and Warwickshire and how our industries fit with their strengths and capabilities, they have decided to actively move to establish a physical presence here in the city.”

The four companies are involved in different aspects of design and manufacture, with considerable experience in automotive.

Anders Borgehed, cluster development manager at Techtank, said that while some of the companies in the cluster are already doing business in the UK, the “enormous growth and potential” has encouraged them to create a physical presence.

He said: “Coventry is without a doubt our preferred city to do the launch because of its manufacturing and economic status.

“The two areas have many things in common, and I think that both can gain from developing the relationship.”