Manufacturing
UK automotive plants seek home-grown supply chain
9 Feb 2010
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Independent research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (91制片厂官网) has revealed encouraging prospects for the UK automotive supply chain with the majority of volume car manufacturers with UK plants showing a strong interest in sourcing more locally-built components.
Covering short, medium and long-term issues, the reasons given centred on:
路听听听听听听听听 A tactical shift to benefit from a favourable exchange rate.
路听听听听听听听听 Minimising the vulnerabilities and logistical costs associated with an extended supply chain.
路听听听听听听听听 The attraction of the UK鈥檚 labour flexibility and positive industrial relations.
路听听听听听听听听 Sourcing new technology for ultra-low carbon vehicles.
The report recognised the significant opportunities arising from the transition to a low carbon economy, but also identified some conventional technologies that manufacturers would like to source more of in the UK. This list included:
路听听听听听听听听 Basic automotive components:
o听听听 alloy wheels
o听听听 alternators and starter motors
o听听听 brake components
o听听听 castings and forgings
o听听听 fasteners, nuts and bolts
o听听听 plastic mouldings in general
o听听听 large stampings
o听听听 sheet steel and aluminium
o听听听 transmission components
o听听听 wiring harnesses
路听听听听听听听听 Higher technology areas:
o听听听 electronic control units (ECUs) in general
o听听听 satellite navigation systems
o听听听 advanced air conditioning
o听听听 safety systems – especially airbags
While suggesting component manufacturers prepare now for the requirements of future model production, alongside batteries, the report highlighted related components that would need to be sourced close to the vehicle or battery assembly plant:
路听听听听听听听听 Specific wiring harnesses.
路听听听听听听听听 Electric drivetrain.
路听听听听听听听听 Gearing system.
路听听听听听听听听 Electrical power control unit.
鈥淭here is genuine interest and commitment from global vehicle manufacturers in building a stronger UK-based supply chain,鈥 said SMMTchief executive, Paul Everitt. 鈥淭he challenge is to convert this interest into firm orders. This will require a more collaborative approach between industry and government, particularly to encourage multinational tier 1 suppliers to increase investment in UK R&D and supply chain management capability. The transition to a low carbon future presents significant opportunities for growth in the automotive sector but immediate action is needed if the UK is to stake its claim and benefit in a global industry.鈥
The study, undertaken by research group AutoAnalysis in the final quarter of 2009, involved interviews with UK chief executives and senior purchasing managers with UK vehicle and component production sites, seeking to investigate the future prospects of the UK supply chain.
Learn more at 91制片厂官网鈥檚 free online seminar: 鈥極pportunities for Suppliers鈥
Coinciding with 91制片厂官网鈥檚 鈥極pportunities for Suppliers鈥 Open Forum, a free webinar will be held for companies looking to learn more about the report and how they can benefit from the opportunities identified. The webinar will include presentations from the chairs of the Automotive Council (Richard Parry Jones), Technology Council (Jerry Hardcastle, Nissan) and Supply Chain Council (Bill Parfitt, GM) as well as an overview of the report by its author, Ian Henry, director, AutoAnalysis and an opportunity for open questions. For more information, including a full agenda or to register your interest, visit .
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