In three weeks time thousands of delegates from the UK and overseas will be flocking to Advanced Engineering UK at the NEC. Black Country business leaders will be among the high-profile speakers at the two-day event, flying the flag for the regions engineering prowess and inward investment opportunities.
Advanced Engineering UK is returning to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham next month. On Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 November 2013, over 600 specialist exhibitors and more than 200 speakers will share best engineering practice and new technologies with thousands of visitors.
Among these speakers will be leaders from the Black Country business community, using the prestigious platform to promote the Black Country as a vibrant, profitable place to relocate and grow.
Matt Neal, three times British Touring Car Champion with Honda Yuasa Works
As well as driving for Honda Yuasa Works, Matt is Marketing Director with Black Country-based alloy wheel manufacturer Rimstock Plc. Matt will address the floor on both days of the show, officially unveiling the Black Country Bullet a virtual high-performance car which showcases the Black Countrys world-class automotive supply chain.
Alan Edwards, Senior Purchasing Manager for Jaguar Land Rover
JLR has invested heavily in the Black Country region recently, choosing the Enterprise Zone to locate its new £500m Engine Manufacturing Plant. Alan will talk about JLRs Just in time, just in sequence strategy, explaining how the Black Countrys central UK location, skilled workforce and established automotive supply chain were perfect for supporting it.
Stewart Towe, Chair of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
Stewart will open the Black Country programme on Day 1 of the show. He will outline Invest Black Country's offer to businesses and reveal a multi-million pound programme of funding available to support existing and prospective businesses looking to set up in the Black Country.
Tim Elsey, UK Supply Chain Manager for Moog Aircraft Group
In 2012 Moog, which designs and manufactures products that include control systems for aircraft cockpits, chose an 11-acre site within the Black Countrys Enterprise Zone to establish a purpose-built 205,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Tim's presentation will highlight the skilled Black Country supply chain, which is capable of rising to any engineering or manufacturing challenge.
Also:
Tom Westley, Black Country LEP Board Member, highlighting the benefits of the Black Country Enterprise Zone.
Colin Parker, Director, Black Country Skills Factory, on Developing an engineering workforce and the steps being taken within the Black Country to meet the ever-growing need for skilled people within the high-value manufacturing sector.
Wayne Langford is Head of Investment at Invest Black Country, which has the strapline: Built in the Black Country sold around the world. Invest Black Country and Business Birmingham are joining forces to take pavilion space at the event and showcase the region as a brilliant place to do business. Wayne said it is time to show the world some of the developments and regional initiatives that are happening in the Black Country.
At the show, the presence and support of co-speakers from prestigious partners and global brands such as Honda, Jaguar Land Rover and Moog, as well as two LEP board members, demonstrates that this is a region which connects with big business, he said. It shows that we are ready to take in more internationally successful engineering giants and support them to flourish further.
You can sign up for a free visitor pass to Advanced Engineering UK 2013 at www.advancedengineeringuk.com
Image is of Matt Neal.