Automechanika Supplier Trade Show Expands to U.K.

More than 600 automakers and suppliers sign on for what will be the U.K. industry’s key supply-chain networking event at the first-ever Automechanika Birmingham trade show.

The event, predicted to be the second-largest automotive Automechanika trade show outside of Germany, runs June 7-9 at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham, 125 miles (200 km) northwest of London.

Organizers say the latest products and services across 150 product categories will be on display as well as an interactive showcase of the latest technologies and a seminar program with 100 talks across three theaters.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is bringing together more than 600 British automotive companies for its Open Forum and Meet the Buyer networking events.

The eighth annual SMMT forum will hear from key industry executives including Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer, GKN CEO Nigel Stein and Ian Harnett, director-human resources and global purchasing for Jaguar Land Rover.

Meanwhile, automakers including Aston Martin, Ford, General Motors, JLR, McLaren, Mini, Nissan and Toyota have signed up to meet potential new suppliers at the invitation-only Meet the Buyer event.

SMMT CEO Mike Hawes says Meet the Buyer is part of efforts to expand the U.K. supply chain, which supports 78,000 jobs, contributes £4.3 billion ($6.2 billion) to the economy and has the potential to provide 80% of the parts in every British-built car.

But this figure now is only 41% and the Automotive Council has identified a £6 billion ($8.5 billion) growth opportunity as U.K. auto makers increasingly look closer to home to fulfill just-in-time production needs and cut logistics costs.