West Midlands manufacturers invited to free industry conference next month
West Midlands manufacturers invited to free industry conference next month
Manufacturers across the West Midlands are being urged to seize new growth opportunities, boost productivity and strengthen their supply chains at a major free event taking place in Birmingham next month.
Futureproof Manufacturing for the West Midlands, which will take place at IET Birmingham: Austin Court in Cambridge Street on Wednesday, March 11 between 9.30am-1pm, will bring together industry leaders, policy makers and innovation experts to outline how SMEs can diversify into high-growth sectors, adopt digital technologies and win new orders in emerging sustainable markets.
The keynote presentation will be delivered by Steve Bowyer (pictured), head of the West Midlands Investment Zone – an initiative from West Midlands mayor Richard Parker and the West Midlands Combined Authority – who will set out the region’s ambitions to boost manufacturing through the Investment Zone and unlock new supply chain opportunities.
The West Midlands Investment Zone drives inclusive, long-term economic growth through new investment, business support and innovation.
This flagship government initiative, focusing on the region’s long-standing and emerging sector strengths, will support the mayor’s priority of ‘Growth for Everyone’ and position the West Midlands as a leading driver of the UK’s economic ambitions.
Drawing on the opportunities for regional manufacturing, Futureproof Manufacturing for the West Midlands will highlight how suppliers can pivot into six priority clusters including health tech and med tech, smart energy systems, aerospace, modern and low carbon construction and other green industries, and electric light vehicles and battery manufacturing.
Steve Bowyer said: “The West Midlands has a proud manufacturing heritage, but our future success depends on how quickly we adapt to new technologies, new markets and new supply chain demands.
“The Investment Zone is designed to accelerate innovation and attract high-value opportunities into the region.
“That means real opportunities for local manufacturers, particularly SMEs, to diversify, secure new contracts and embed themselves in fast-growing sectors.
“Programmes such as Made Smarter West Midlands and the Supply Chain Transition Programme are here to help businesses take that step, whether that’s adopting digital tools, improving productivity or entering entirely new markets.”
The free event is being delivered by Supply Smarter West Midlands which is the consortium delivering the Supply Chain Transition Programme, led by C&W Business Solutions, part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub Group, together with the Manufacturing Technology Centre, WMG at the University of Warwick, and the West Midlands Combined Universities- the University of Wolverhampton, Coventry University and Birmingham City University- in collaboration with Made Smarter West Midlands.
There will also be a Meet the Buyer area and exhibition, plus a networking lunch followed by an innovation workshop led by experts from WMG and MTC which will give businesses practical insight into innovation and real-world examples of successful collaborations and innovations.
