Opportunity for Manufacturing and Engineering SMEs to meet with suppliers in Wolverhampton

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Manufacturing and engineering businesses in the Midlands have an opportunity to meet with national and regional suppliers at a free event designed to showcase the vast array of supply chain opportunities.

Businesses throughout the region, from Solihull to Shrewsbury, have already signed up to the Digital Technology: The Future of AME Supply Chains to meet with buyers including Hitachi Rail and Midland Metro Alliance and hear more about opportunities connected to Coventry Very Light Rail.

The nationally-acclaimed Made Smarter programme is bringing together industry experts, manufacturers, buyers, technology specialists and exhibitors to Grand Station in Sun Street, Wolverhampton, between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday (April 23).

Hitachi Rail is looking to connect with suppliers in engineering consultancy, facilities, fabrication and welding, and Midland Metro Alliance is aiming to talk to suppliers from a range of services including security, waste, concrete and steel.

Coventry Very Light Rail is aiming to better understand the kinds of suppliers who will be able to supply their sector, and they will be available to speak to throughout the day.

Brian Holliday, the Managing Director of Siemens Digital Industries, Co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission, and Board member of Make UK, is the keynote speaker at the event, which will be hosted by Rachel Eade MBE.

Rowan Crozier MBE, CEO of Birmingham-based metal stamping and tool specialist Brandauer, is a guest speaker along with Will Kinghorn, the Technology Adoption Specialist at Made Smarter UK, who specialises in robotics and automation.

Other speakers include Dr Mark Swift, Director of SME Engagement at WMG, University of Warwick, Mark Sage, Executive Director of the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance, and Angus Brummitt-Brown, Senior Project Manager at Coventry Very Light Rail.

There will also be two panel sessions featuring Chris Corkan, Region Director – Midlands at Make UK; Sarah Windrum, Future Mobility Cluster Lead at HORIBA MIRA; Dr Richard Fallon, CEO at The Technology Supply Chain; and Paul Edwards, Head of Economic Development and Delivery at the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Brian Holliday said: “Made Smarter West Midlands is playing an instrumental role in helping manufacturing and engineering SMEs to adopt cutting-edge digital technology and transform the region’s supply chains.

“That is vital in ensuring these businesses with so much talent help improve supply chain efficiency and speed up processes to reduce manual errors and have better data to produce their products as efficiently as possible.”

Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub leads the Made Smarter West Midlands scheme alongside the Growth Hubs in Worcestershire, The Marches, and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, on behalf of Business Growth West Midlands, the WMCA and the Department for Business and Trade.

Made Smarter West Midlands helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing and engineering sectors to access match-funded grants and experts from WMG, at the University of Warwick, and the MTC, to introduce digital technology.

Craig Humphrey, Chief Executive at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, added: “This event is a perfect opportunity for businesses to find out what they need to do to keep up with advances in digital technology within manufacturing, in order to improve efficiencies and to enable them to supply OEMs and buyers, and to hear about cutting-edge technology from industry leading organisations.

“Our experts from the Made Smarter programme will be attending to highlight how we can help businesses build a digital roadmap and access funding to adopt new technology and capitalise on the benefits of digital transformation which will be instrumental in the short, medium and long-term.”

 

 

Made Smarter WM

Made Smarter is a national movement to drive growth amongst UK makers and advance the UK economy. Backed by world renowned businesses and the UK government, it will improve the development and adoption of emerging technologies. Making a real, everyday difference to people from the boardroom to the factory floor.

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Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans. 

 

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information.  It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers.  We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events.  When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,

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