SMMT brings industry together

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Open Forum and Meet the Buyer events will be held this year at the first ever Automechanika Birmingham trade show in June.

Visitors to Automechanika Birmingham will be able to attend SMMT’s networking event, Open Forum, where they will hear from key industry executives, including Andy Palmer, chief executive, Aston Martin; Nigel Stein, chief executive, GKN Plc; and Ian Harnett, director of human resources and Global Purchasing, Jaguar Land Rover. They will share their insights into the trends, opportunities and challenges facing the automotive sector. June’s Open Forum is expected to attract 400 delegates.

Meanwhile, car makers, including Aston Martin, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren, MINI, Nissan and Toyota are among the first companies who have signed up to meet potential new suppliers at Meet the Buyer 2016. The invitation-only networking  event is run by SMMT in partnership with UKTI’s Automotive Investment Organisation (AIO).

Meet the Buyer gives suppliers the opportunity to talk to purchasing managers at some of the world’s biggest automotive companies. It is part of wider efforts to re-shore the UK supply chain, which supports 78,000 jobs, contributes £4.3 billion to the economy and has the potential to provide 80% of every British-built car.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, ‘Automechanika Birmingham gives us a platform to show the world the opportunities on offer in Britain and help drive supply chain growth. That’s why we’re behind the Show, and why we’re holding our flagship industry events there this year. Providing valuable insight and access to new business will support our members’ competitiveness and encourage investment.’

Automechanika Birmingham takes place from 7-9 June 2016 at the NEC.