Campaign looks to restore Black Country manufacturing prosperity

A campaign aimed at restoring the Black Country’s manufacturing industry back to full prosperity has been launched by the area’s chamber of commerce.

The campaign aims to offer manufacturers the support and guidance they need on a range of issues, as well as opportunities to share best practice.

Figurehead for the campaign will be the chamber’s new Manufacturing Ambassador, Rachel Eade, who is well known for her work supporting the automotive supply chain through organisations such as Accelerate and the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are proud to be working with such an esteemed manufacturing expert, as Rachel Eade.

“She has helped us to develop a campaign of support over the next 12 months that will include informative manufacturing monthly email bulletins and events throughout the year. We believe that manufacturing really does matter, not only to the Black Country economy, but also the UK as a whole.”   

Ms Eade has more than 20 years of experience working with manufacturers across the supply chain and has a wealth of knowledge and contacts set to benefit manufacturers throughout the area. She was awarded an MBE for services to the automotive sector in 2013 and the Institute of Sheet Metal Engineers Gold Medal in 2014.

She said: “We can expect 2017 to produce many challenges and opportunities for manufacturers as the full impact of Brexit is still unknown on trade, regulations, foreign exchange and pricing. For manufacturers, this uncertainty cascades into areas such as innovation, research and development, skills and people, and investment that is critical to growth and the winning of new business.”

The strength of the area’s automotive supply chain continues to offer prospects for growth during 2017.

However, the campaign will also look at where other opportunities might lie, such as HS2 and other infrastructure projects, driverless vehicles, green energy, electronics and communication.

The chamber said suppliers needed to be able to demonstrate flexibility and innovation in their customer relationships, as products and processes changed on a rapidly evolving basis. Investment in technology and skills at all levels will be prerequisites for both maintaining and winning business, it added.

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