Automotive Expo rolls back into city
YOUR MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY NORTH-EAST PRESS
The success of the North East automotive sector will be celebrated this week, as the annual North East Automotive Expo returns for a third year.
Thursday’s event at the Stadium of Light will be preceded by a sell-out dinner the evening before at the Roker Hotel, when industry expert professor Jon King will address guests on the UK’s strategy for growth and sustainability in the automotive sector.
Prof King, who works for WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, is a long-standing member of the UK Automotive Council Supply Chain Group and recently chaired the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Automotive Components Section.
“I’m always pleased to visit the North East to promote the opportunities there are to strengthen the automotive sector supply chain,” he said.
“There is great potential to grow UK content, but we need to have a connected national and regional discussion in order to be successful. This is another occasion for us to do just that.”
In 2013 the Automotive Council set out the Automotive Sector Strategy to deliver long-term opportunities, particularly for supply chain companies and developers of ultra-low emission vehicles. Today the UK automotive industry continues to buck trends across Europe with more than £15billion being invested into the UK automotive sector since 2012.
The sector is hitting near record production levels of 1.82 million vehicles and UK content has grown from 36% to 44%. However there are still many challenges that lie ahead, and during the dinner, Prof King will discuss how the UK automotive sector is addressing these challenges and seeking to maximise the country’s competitive advantage.
North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) CEO Paul Butler said: “I am delighted to have Professor Jon King support our annual North East automotive event.
“Jon is an extremely experienced and respected industry figure who is sure to interest the audience at the dinner.
“His speech will provide the national context for the activities of the NEAA, demonstrating our efforts to ensure we have a truly co-ordinated approach to supporting the regions automotive sector.
“We remain committed to keeping the Expo industry-focussed and are confident this year’s event and dinner will provide even more opportunities for our members, SMEs and the wider automotive sector.”