MORE than 100 key people from Worcestershire’s automotive industry heard about opportunities in the county, Europe and worldwide at the latest finditinworcestershire event.
Manufacturing: Automotive and Beyond was held at Worcester Warriors Rugby Club’s Sixways stadium.
The delegates were told about fully-funded research opportunities to EU countries, a £3 million grant scheme and the latest ideas for diversification and growth in the automotive sector.
They also heard from keynote speaker Professor David Bailey who is a leading authority on the regional automotive industry.
The professor of international business strategy and economics is an expert in the globalisation of the automotive and car industry.
He is currently leading an Economic and Social Research Council project into the economic and social impact of the MG Rover closure.
“It is great to see so many companies turn out for this event. There are huge opportunities within the automotive industry at the moment. Obviously I knew of the companies connected to Redditch, but I was surprised at the number of automotive companies that there are throughout the whole of Worcestershire. Events like this are great for connecting people within the industry.”
Tim Hughes, from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, told the conference how the society supports and promotes the interests of the UK automotive industry nationally and internationally, while Rachel Eade, automotive cluster manager at the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), illustrated how MAS could help local companies.
Peter Middleton, of Worcester-based business Southco, gave a local perspective about how the company’s touch screen technology is benefiting from the automotive market.
The free event gave businesses from all around Worcestershire an opportunity to network and make new contacts. It was the latest in the series of monthly meetings arranged by finditinworcestershire – the county’s online portal and networking programme.
Worcestershire companies can join for free by visiting finditinworcestershire.com
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