Advanced Manufacturing: Midlands Engine must support the supply chain
THE new Midlands Engine will do little to help firms in the Advanced Manufacturing supply chain unless more effort is given to meeting their needs.
The blunt message emerged during a special debate organised by TheBusinessDesk.com, and held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Ansty Park.
The event – Advanced Manufacturing: Risk & Reward – was staged in association with Leamington law firm Wright Hassall and Birmingham accountants and business advisor, Moore Stephens and examined the challenges facing manufacturing SMEs working in both Coventry and Warwickshire, and the wider region.
Supplying the answers was an esteemed panel comprising: Rowan Crozier, CEO of Birmingham-based precision components firm Brandauer, Jason Aldridge, managing director of Coventry aerospace supplier Arrowsmith Engineering, Paul Markwick, Services Director, MTC, Pete Maguire, advanced manufacturing and engineering partner at Wright Hassall and Ross Northall, partner, Moore Stephens.
The debate heard the success of the Advanced Manufacturing sector would be crucial to much of what the Engine was trying to achieve.
However, several panellists said they felt that unless the needs of firms working in the supply chain were taken into consideration then the ambitious plan would not be as successful as the Government might hope.
Mr Aldridge said: “I’m not a fan of the Engine because I don’t think it’s been set up to help firms lower down the supply chain.
“All the money being pledged towards it is being committed to big projects involving the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and their partners.
“Anyone thinking that money is going to find its way down the supply chain is frankly deluding themselves.”
He said greater attention should be paid to the supply chains so they were more robust and firms could play an active part in helping the Engine grow.
Mr Aldridge said he also had concerns about the new West Midlands Combined Authority and how that would relate to business, especially in Coventry and Warwickshire.
“We have to be concerned about the arrangements here, especially for firms in Warwickshire where the county council has opted not to be part of the combined authority – will their needs be considered,” he said.
“I know the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP is part of the set-up but will that mean our needs are considered – we have to know.”
Tomorrow: The Skills debate
