Int’l Auto Summit to provide setting for future procurement strategies in the UK

April 16: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has announced that procurement directors from some of the UK’s largest automotive manufacturers will deliver insight on their future purchasing strategies during a series of discussions around ‘Growth in the supply chain’, supported by KPMG, at the fourth International Automotive Summit, to be held at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf, on 12 June.

According to a recent report into the UK commodities market, over 80 percent of components required for vehicle assembly in the UK can now be sourced nationally, a fact that will drive discussion by senior industry figures. Ian Harnett, director of purchasing, Jaguar Land Rover; Dave Cameron, vice-president (Purchasing), Nissan International, and Mark Adams, vice-president (Purchasing), Toyota Europe, will outline their procurement strategies, providing valuable insight into how suppliers can adapt and win future contracts. All this and more will feature in the session ‘Opportunities for supply chain growth’.

Within the stream, Growth in the supply chain, will be the following sessions: § Opportunities for supply chain growth – how UK-based suppliers can best prepare for future OEM demand.

§ Bridging the skills gap– the importance of attracting the brightest and most skilled employees, and ensuring the UK workforce remains globally competitive.

§ Finance for growth – an expert panel offering case studies on funding sources and how best they can be used to meet growth objectives. SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt commented, “Over the past 18 months we have seen an unprecedented level of investment committed to the UK by global vehicle manufacturers securing new model programmes, new facilities and R&D activity. To make the most of these opportunities, we need to ensure the UK-based supply chain is winning a higher proportion of supply contracts and delivering the global Quality Cost Delivery requirements of manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers.”

John Leech, Automotive Partner, KPMG LLP, added, “Automotive manufacturing is one of the most vibrant and dynamic parts of the UK economy with strong future growth prospects throughout the sector. The UK supply chain is in a position to benefit from recent investment but as international competition intensifies, getting a firm grip on key issues such as investment and skills will be crucial to longer term success.”

Concluding the stream ‘Growth in the supply chain’, a panel including John Leech, Partner, KPMG LLP; Richard Hill, Head of Automotive Sector, RBS Corporate Banking, and Mark Bryant, business director, Business Growth Fund – Investment Funding, will share their knowledge through a series of case studies demonstrating how various funding streams can be used to achieve different business objectives.

Along with opening keynote speeches from Ian Robertson, BMW Board Member, Global Sales and Marketing, and Peter Tyroller, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH, experienced heads from the world of automotive will be seated on the panels for streams one and two covering ‘The changing face of vehicle retail’s and ‘Innovation in ultra-low carbon technology’. According to the press release, the demand for tickets at the Summit has been significant and all allocated tickets have now been sold. Anyone wishing to attend should e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk to be added to the waiting list for any tickets that become available.