Advantage West Midlands is heading up the regional delegation of industry experts and business leaders attending this year’s AutoExpo 2010, in a bid to attract more Indian automotive companies to the West Midlands.
Some of the region’s brightest minds in automotive innovation will be visiting Delhi from 5 January as part of the UK presence at the automotive trade fair.
Around 35 Indian owned companies already have operations based in the Heart of England and the automotive sector in particular is looking to build on this. Cultural synergy with India is a clear selling point, but academics and automotive R&D experts from the West Midlands are leading the way in new low carbon initiatives, the manufacture of sustainable materials, and the latest developments in digital and manufacturing technologies.
Richard Hutchins, Deputy Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, is optimistic about the Delhi trip: “With access to skills, talent and ingenuity, the West Midlands region is at the forefront of the UK’s automotive industry. To put this in context, one third of any part of UK automotive activity is undertaken in the West Midlands, except R&D which equates to two thirds.
“We’re looking forward to showcasing the world-class credentials of the West Midlands automotive industry, which employs more than 115,000 people and contributes circa £13 billion in turnover to the regional economy per annum. The region’s world class knowledge base puts us in a very strong position and coupled with our extensive business support network, the Heart of England package that we will be promoting at AutoExpo in January is very hard to beat.”
AWM will be joined on the UK stand by MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association), Stadco, key figures from WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group based at Warwick University) and representatives from the universities of Birmingham and Coventry. Other automotive experts from the region are also attending the event to bolster the region’s inward investment drive.
Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, says: “We have a highly skilled regional workforce and an impressive knowledge base in this sector, especially in low carbon vehicle technologies where we are making significant advancements and nurturing the next generation of automotive technicians and innovators. This hot bed of new talent will be helping our future automotive businesses to thrive too.”
Auto Expo 2010 will not only showcase the region’s impressive automotive credentials. Delegates will also be shown how AWM can deliver a comprehensive business and financial support package that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of any potential new investor.