www.accelerate.uk.net

Accelerate celebrates 10 years of auto support

Accelerate support has helped IM Kelly create 40 new jobs in Coventry: (l-r) Harry Balmer (Accelerate), John White and Gary Hughes (both IM Kelly)

Now entering its 10th year of operations, Accelerate is regarded as one of the most successful manufacturing support agencies in the UK, with a track record of helping 2000 firms achieve world class performance, launch new products and increase market share in international arenas.

A combination of grant and strategic support has proved the backbone of the offering and in recent years has been supplemented with the launch of specific marketing drives like 'Made in the West Midlands' and a new Business Development Network comprising 15 complimentary suppliers working together to land new contracts.

This matrix of support has so far safeguarded and created in excess of 23,000 jobs and has played an instrumental role in the auto industry's continuing evolvement.

"The sector is a very different animal these days and the UK is slowly but surely re-establishing itself as a value added centre of innovation and design expertise," explained David Malpass, Senior Operations Manager at Accelerate.

"Driving this transition is the West Midlands supply base, which, whilst overcoming some of the most difficult and challenging times in its history, still remains an important cog in the global market."

£500m potential war chest: (l-r) David Malpass and Chris Hayes (both Accelerate) celebrate the launch of 'Eurozone'

He went on to add: "Some firms have fallen by the wayside, but the ones that have survived are now more stronger, leaner and fitter than ever before and this has got to be good news for the auto supply chain."

Managed by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Accelerate currently offers a mix of financial and strategic expertise, ranging from business development grants and Networks for Change through to Supply Chain Improvement Networks and Technology Transfer Centres.

Through a number of successful European funding bids, the initiative is also about to launch 'Eurozone', a specialist programme that will match existing capacity in the West Midlands with a potential £500m treasure chest of new facelifts and model launches.

This is an important step forward and demonstrates the region's desire to actively attack the global marketplace, with Accelerate set to provide a specialist database of information, organised trade trips and support for progressing opportunities.

The latter could include financial assistance with joint ventures, new factories and product launches.

David concluded: "Winning orders is a must for suppliers and we are delighted to have helped over 30 firms exhibit at Midlands Manufacturing 2006 as part of the 'Made in the West Midlands' brand.

"The collection of companies that attended illustrated exactly what the region has to offer in terms of a diverse and world class industrial base."

For further information on Accelerate, please visit www.accelerate.uk.net or contact 0121 607 0123.

 

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