Auto summit to address key supply chain issues
OPPORTUNITIES for growth, bridging the skills gap and alternative forms of finance in order to secure growth are to be the key topics at a major event organised for the automotive supply chain sector.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is organising the International Automotive Summit event, Growth in the Supply Chain, in conjunction with KPMG.
The meeting, the fourth of its kind to take place, is to be held at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf, London on June 12.
The event will hear from procurement directors from some of the UK’s largest automotive manufacturers, who will deliver an insight into their future purchasing strategies.
Ian Harnett, Director of Purchasing, Jaguar Land Rover; Dave Cameron, Vice President Purchasing, Nissan International, and Mark Adams Vice President Purchasing, Toyota Europe, will be among those speaking.
The SMMT said that according to a recent report into the UK commodities market, more than 80% of components required for vehicle assembly in the UK could now be sourced nationally, a fact that will drive discussion by senior industry figures.
The event will look at how UK-based suppliers can best prepare for future OEM demand, the importance of attracting the brightest and most skilled employees into the industry, ensuring the UK workforce remains globally competitive and the range of alternative funding sources now available to firms and how best they can be used to meet growth objectives.
Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said: “Over the past 18 months we have seen an unprecedented level of investment committed to the UK by global vehicle manufacturers securing new model programmes, new facilities and R&D activity.
“To make the most of these opportunities we need to ensure the UK-based supply chain is winning a higher proportion of supply contracts and delivering the global Quality Cost Delivery requirements of manufacturers and tier one suppliers.”
John Leech, Birmingham-based Automotive Partner at KPMG, added: “Automotive manufacturing is one of the most vibrant and dynamic parts of the UK economy with strong future growth prospects throughout the sector.
“The UK supply chain is in a position to benefit from recent investment but as international competition intensifies, getting a firm grip on key issues such as investment and skills will be crucial to longer term success.”
Richard Parry Jones, of the Automotive Council, will chair an expert panel for the skills debate. Panel members include Christine Gaskell, board member, Bentley Motors and Phil Millward, HR director, Vauxhall.
Mr Leech will join Richard Hill, head of Automotive Sector, RBS Corporate Banking, and Mark Bryant, Business Director, Business Growth Fund – Investment Funding, to discuss the funding issues.
Other keynote speakers include Ian Robertson, board member, BMW, and Peter Tyroller, of Robert Bosch.
