Torque-Expo

The SMMT Open Forum at next week’s Automechanika Birmingham will be tackling hot topics in the automotive supply chain.

Major manufacturers Ford and Nissan will speak on how they are investing in new UK supply chain innovation, while cutting-edge technology and trends expected to influence the next generation of vehicles will be highlighted by stakeholders during the forum.

Senior automotive industry delegates are expected to attend the SMMT Open Forum, with a confirmed speaker line-up including:

  • Judith Richardson, Vice President of Purchasing, Nissan Europe
    Supplying Nissan – A vision for the future
  • Alan Draper, Director, Purchasing, Ford of Europe and Global Team Value Management, Ford
    Ford and the UK supply chain
  • Michael Flanagan, Vice President, Adient
    Future automotive technology and market trends – The view and response of Adient
  • Chris Turner, Director of Advanced Technology Marketing, ARM
    As cars becomes computers on wheels where will they take us?
  • Professor David Greenwood, Advanced Propulsion Systems, WMG, University of Warwick
    The UK supply chain for automotive batteries
  • Sarwant Singh, Senior Partner and Partner in Charge EIA, Frost & Sullivan
    Transformative trends reshaping the future of the automotive supply chain

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The introduction of new digital technologies into our automotive supply chain is hugely important as we look to secure the UK’s place as a test-bed for the next generation of connected and autonomous vehicles. Digitalisation has the potential to make factories more efficient by reducing machine downtime and maintenance costs, enabling cars to come to market more quickly – which is good for consumers. Success here will go a long way to securing the future prosperity of the entire automotive industry and it’s crucial we remain an attractive destination for inward investment in the face of strong competition from overseas.”

Torque Magazine is an official media partner to Automechanika Birmingham.