WORCESTERSHIRE'S manufacturers are being urged to take advantage of a unique American trade mission to increase exports.

The head of the UK’s first "faculty on the factory floor" Carl Perrin, director of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, will lead an eight-day visit to the US and believes it is an ideal opportunity to explore a new market, learn more about best practice manufacturing and discover possible business opportunities. Organised by Coventry University, the tour of the Mid West will include behind the scene visits to high-profile manufacturing companies including John Deere, Xtrac, RenewAire and Subaru of Indiana. Delegates will also receive expert advice from UK Trade and Investment on exporting to America, a detailed market briefing from the Chicago Consulate and access to Purdue College of Technology and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mr Perrin said: "We are heading to this area of the US because it has a high concentration of advanced engineering companies in the agricultural machinery, energy, fabrication motorsport, medical devices and automotive sectors, demonstrating ‘good practice’ and facing challenges similar to those of the UK and Europe. The itinerary is looking extremely impressive, especially the number of companies that are opening the doors to us and who are happy to share their experiences. There will be a strong focus on implementing build-to-order strategies, reducing process development cycles and developing supply chain relationships, not to mention how the Mid West is addressing the skills challenge. America is one of the UK’s biggest export markets and I can only see that increasing so now is the time for a select group of Worcestershire manufacturers to get ahead of the rest.”

The Advanced Manufacturing Trade Mission – due to take place between May 17-25 - is open to SMEs and large manufacturers and costs just £2995+vat, which includes all flights, accommodation, a welcome reception and group dinner.