GKN and Jaguar Land Rover help celebrate best of British manufacturing
THE UK automotive industry will be showcasing its major successes and innovations during a six-week event at the Science Museum.
The exhibition, ‘Make it in Great Britain’, is being staged while the eyes of the world are focussed on the UK with the Olympic Games.
Aside from highlighting successes in British manufacturing, the free exhibition aims to raise awareness of the auto industry in the UK and the dynamic, advanced and innovative work that is being carried out.
Flying the flag for the West Midlands will be GKN and Jaguar Land Rover, while McLaren will also be participating.
Axon Automotive, electric vehicle charging company POD Point, and low carbon power technology company Intelligent Energy are also among the businesses showcasing their work.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “Manufacturing accounts for 8% of total UK employment and well over half of export goods, yet current perceptions of the industry are out of date and do not reflect that reality.
“I hope that as many people as possible visit the exhibition and see all of the great examples of British design and manufacturing – it will be spectacular.”
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “The UK automotive industry is leading economic recovery with increased manufacturing output, record export volumes and new jobs being created on the back of major international investment in the sector.
“The industry also offers fantastic career and skills opportunities for young people across a huge variety of disciplines from design, engineering, supply chain and manufacturing to retail and aftermarket. The sector plays a major role in the UK economy, so we’re delighted to see automotive companies celebrated as some of the stars of UK manufacturing.”
The exhibition is the culmination of the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign; an initiative launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills last year which aims to challenge outdated opinions of the UK manufacturing industry, worth approximately £130bn to the UK economy each year and employing 2.5m people.
UK automotive alone accounts for a £55bn turnover and £12bn value added to the economy, employing more than 700,000 across the sector, with 140,000 employed specifically in automotive manufacturing.
The UK is home to a range of automotive firms including:
• Seven volume car manufacturers.
• Seven commercial vehicle manufacturers.
• 10 bus and coach manufacturers.
• Eight major premium and sports car producers and more than 100 specialist brands.
• Eight Formula One teams.
Alongside the exhibition, 30 young people have been named as the rising stars of the manufacturing sector by the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign, with five of the finalists coming directly from the UK automotive industry.
All aged under 30, the finalists were selected for being true high-flyers, standing out from their peers and demonstrating passion, enthusiasm and ambition in their roles.
The five young people selected from the UK motor industry include:
• Charlotte Watling – Bentley Motors
• Hannah Proffitt – Bentley Motors
• Ryan Hopkin – Ford of Britain
• Bernadette Collins – McLaren
• Kevin Kelly – Nissan
Going on to act as ambassadors for the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign, which aims to challenge outdated opinions and transform the image of modern manufacturing, the finalists will have a special role in engaging other young people, to ensure that the next generation is aware of career opportunities in manufacturing industries.
The exhibition runs until September 9.
