Date: Fri 23rd March, 2012
Venue: Manufacturing Technology Centre, Ansty Park, Coventry, CV7 9JU
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Brains behind the muscle: How can the Midlands put more knowledge into manufacturing?
For centuries small and medium sized manufacturers have been the bedrock of the Midlands' economy: thousands of companies creating the goods and components on which the modern world was built.
But the pressure is on to produce high value-added goods which can hold their own against cheap products from emerging nations. Although many of the region's SMEs are rising to the challenge, overall spend on those things that will create those new goods, such as R&D and training, remain well below national and international averages.
Insider's breakfast forum will examine what needs to be done to put more intelligence into our industry. We are inviting a specially-selected group of business leaders to put their questions to a panel of experts on issues such as:
- How can we increase spending on apprenticeships and ensure courses are best suited to manufacturers' needs?
- What external facilities and funding do SMEs need to help them develop products and bring them to market?
- How can Midlands industry and universities work better together to drive innovation?
- How dependent are SMEs and innovators on the demands of big original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)?
- What are the markets and sectors that innovative Midland manufacturers should be targeting, and how should they reach them?
- What incentives and help - legal, financial and regulatory - should the government and financial institutions be providing to drive industrial innovation?
Insider's forum is an opportunity for the manufacturing community to listen to and question those behind the big issues. We intend to drill down and look at the sector's future prospects, looking at both challenges and opportunities.
Among our panellists will be
- Dr Clive Hickman, chief executive, Manufacturing Technology Centre
- Richard Halstead, region director - Midlands, EEF Ltd
- Adam McGiveron, head of industry & manufacturing, SGH Martineau
- Jason Aldridge, managing director, Arrowsmith Engineering
- Peter Shilock, managing director, London Taxi Company
- Craig Stevens, account manager, Hewlett Packard
Our events are regularly over-subscribed therefore please register your interest as soon as possible. If you have been successful you will receive a confirmation email one week prior to the event. Please click here to register your interest
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Kate Marshall on 0161 907 9754
If you are interested in sponsoring this or any other Insider event please contact Richard Carey on 0121 204 1490
Event timings:
7.30am – Breakfast and registration
8.00am – Meeting commences
9.00am – Approximate close
Guests are invited to remain behind after the formal close for coffee and networking.
Event sponsored by:
