Local events

Brian Holliday - Headline Speaker

Managing Director of Siemens Digital Industries & Chairman of Siemens Digital Industries Software AND Co-Chair of Made Smarter Commission at SIEMENS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

Brian Holliday is Managing Director for Siemens Digital Industries and Chairman of Siemens Digital Industries Software, a technology company serving the UK and Ireland’s manufacturing and industrial-infrastructure sectors. He is co-chair of the UK Government Made Smarter Commission in addition to being a non-executive director at Make UK, The Manufacturers’ Organisation. He is a keen advocate for engineering, innovation, skills and advanced technology deployment, contributing regularly to media, policy forums and peer networks.

Rowan Crozier MBE - Guest Speaker

CEO at C. Brandauer & Co Ltd, Chair of the Make UK National Advisory Board and Co Chair of the Industry Advisory Board for Birmingham City University at C. Brandauer & Co Ltd

Meet the Maker, with Rowan Crozier, a 162-year-old metal stamping and tooling specialist that produces millions of precision parts that are sent across the world every week. Rowan was awarded an MBE for services to manufacturing and enterprise, in the New Year's Honours List 2024.

Will Kinghorn - Guest Speaker

Technology Adoption Specialist at Made Smarter UK

Will is the automation and robotics specialist for the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, where he advises and supports manufacturing companies with the adoption of new technologies. Will is a chartered manufacturing engineer with the IMechE, and his background is in the aerospace industry where he developed and implemented new manufacturing techniques including automation, robotics, advanced machining, inspection, and welding. He is the author of Digital Transformation in Your Manufacturing Business - A Made Smarter Guide which is due out in June 2024.

Rachel Eade MBE, FRSA - Event Compare

Supply Chain Specialist at University of Birmingham

Rachel is a Manufacturing and Supply Chain Specialist with over 20 years’ experience in business development management roles within transport manufacturing sectors and continues to play a pivotal role in evolving the SME business support offer working with and supporting UK OEMs and Tier 1s with growth and innovation support.

Dr. Mark Swift - Speaker

Director of SME Engagement at WMG, University of Warwick

Mark leads WMG’s SME Group and its initiatives focused on helping small businesses grow through research led innovation, technology adoption, leadership and developing new skills. The aim of the Group is to enable SME’s and Mid-Caps manufacture more in the UK through helping companies to improve their products, process and technologies by accelerating and de-risking the uptake of innovation. The Group is recognised as a national leader in how universities support innovation in SMEs. Previously as Chief Technology Officer of the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Mark was primarily responsible for delivering the WMG technology strategy and the advancement of technology across the WMG’s Catapult. This helped to secure £99m of government funding. In over 10 years at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) this has included designing and operating an online engineering eMarketplace with over 12,000 members, constructing a purpose built multi-disciplined 5,000m2 digital laboratory and leading the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation. His work has culminated in starting over 10 new hi-tech start-up businesses, working with hundreds of small businesses and creating, or safeguarding, over a 1,000 industry jobs. Mark has a background in manufacturing systems, previously working for International Paper, Hasbro and BMW UK.

Angus Brummitt-Brown - Speaker

Senior Project Manager at Coventry Very Light Rail

Angus has extensive experience in business improvement and innovation programme delivery, Angus is also a small business owner that has developed innovation ideas from concept through to market products. Coventry City Council has a determination to develop a low cost, high quality integrated public transport infrastructure that will help address the issues of congestion, air quality, connectivity, modal shift from the private car. This innovation will also generate employment opportunities, and produce a market leading product in the light rail industry.

Neil Fulton - Speaker

CEO at Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO)

Neil began his career as an apprentice with Cummins Engines in Darlington graduating with a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, followed by engine development and then regional customer engagement roles. In 2000 he joined Millbrook Proving Ground, leading their automotive powertrain engineering activities. In 2013, Neil joined the Transport Systems Catapult delivering connected and autonomous vehicle programmes and eventually became Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for all project delivery. He is now the Chief Executive Officer at BCIMO – establishing this unique, national rail research asset, growing a credible customer base and supporting innovation and economic growth across the Black Country and beyond.

Chris Corkan - Panellist

Region Director - Midlands at Make UK

Make UK is the largest voice supporting UK manufacturing employers. Chris’s role as Region Director for the Midlands & East of England is to engage Make UK’s members and to assist them in advancing their business. By providing bespoke introductions, industry insight, a programme of events & networking opportunities, promoting their business and ensuring their views are heard with government at both a local and national level. Another key part of his role is to engage with stakeholders representing industry’s views. Including with the media, Local Enterprise Partnerships, the West Midlands Combined Authority, East Midlands Combined Authority, Midlands Engine and the Greater Cambridgeshire Greater Peterborough Combined Authority. Additionally, Chris is also responsible for Make UK’s Affiliate Partner network of sector-specific trade association and regional cluster networks across the country, ensuring all four corners of manufacturing are represented with the highest levels of UK government.

Sarah Windrum - Panellist

Future Mobility Cluster Lead at Horiba Mira

Sarah's role is supporting the MIRA Technology Park team to embed an 850-acre Midlands campus as the global location of choice for mobility R&D. Mira works with Coventry University and other partners on developing autonomous technology for the city and the highway, as well as becoming the location of choice for hydrogen technology development and commercialisation.

Dr. Richard Fallon - Panellist

CEO at The Technology Supply Chain

Dr. Richard Fallon has a background in engineering and technology. He established the Technology Supply Chain in 2019 to help manufacturing, engineering and technology companies in the West Midlands to innovate, grow and prosper. The TSC is a Community Interest Company which offers a membership with plenty of innovation and growth opportunities. We are helping West Midlands manufacturers to access grants, funded support and new growth opportunities including supplying into other sectors, using AI and extending their reach.

Paul Edwards - Panellist

Head of Economic Development & Delivery at West Midlands Combined Authority

Paul Edwards is Head of Economic Development and Delivery at the West Midlands Combined Authority. As part of his role, he is responsible for the publicly funded business support ecosystem in the West Midlands – Business Growth West Midlands – along with mobilisation and support for the region’s medium term high growth strategy, Plan for Growth. He is also the responsible officer for the Business Energy Advice Service pilot, delivered in conjunction with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, aimed at helping West Midlands businesses reduce their energy usage and boosting their productivity. Paul has a 15 year career in regional economic development working across policy, practice and delivery for universities, local enterprise partnerships and central government departments. Most recently, prior to joining WMCA, he ran his own economic development consultancy business.

Mark Sage

Executive Director at The Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA)

The AREA is a membership funded alliance, helping to accelerate the adoption of Augmented Reality (AR) through a comprehensive ecosystem. With a focus on creating value and ROI for its members, his goal is to develop a robust and active ecosystem for AR. His background includes a strong interest in mobile, AR, VR, and IoT and he is excited to work with enterprises, providers and research organizations to the benefit and growth of AR within the enterprise

Are you interested in exhibiting at this event?

Services: Manufacturers, technology specialists and suppliers

Relevant suppliers and technology businesses are invited to take a stand.

Please email info@finditin.co.uk for more information and prices.

AAR Powerdrives Ltd

Services: Technical design, service and supply

Field leaders with pure knowledge and understanding of saving energy with electric motors and drives.

AAR Powerdrives Limited supplies high quality, industry-leading electric motors, drives and controls to OEMs, end-users, local authorities, contractors and utility companies across the UK and beyond.

Aston Centre for Growth

Services: Supporting small business growth

Aston Centre for Growth provides leading growth programmes and other practical business support for entrepreneurs, SMEs, business leaders, and students across the community.

The Centre has experience of working with thousands of SMEs to support their business growth through high profile programmes such as the Help to Grow Management course, Aston Programme for Small Business Growth and Green Advantage, alongside investment ready pitching competitions, student and graduate focused start-up support and enterprise skills development.

Brandauer

Services: Electronics, electrification, renewables, automotive, defence and consultation

Brandauer has a rich history, founded in 1862 as a pen nib manufacturer, and today a precision presswork specialist, producing innovative components that are making a positive impact on some of the world’s most ambitious projects.

Brandauer has built a reputation for engineering excellence, investing in the future of UK manufacturing and applying the most precise approach to developing relationships. Brandeur is a founding member of the Manufacturing Assembly Network.

Cloud ERP Ltd

Services: Implementation and consulting, technical support, training and customisation

With over two decades experience in implementing ERP and business management applications, Cloud ERP Ltd work with organisations across the UK to implement Acumatica CloudERP software.

Bringing unparalleled customer experience and technical expertise to help streamline business processes and accelerate profitability. They focus on clients’ business and operational needs, identifying exactly what is required and implementing Acumatica ERP software on time and on budget;

Coventry University Clean Futures Innovation Accelerator

Services: Free events, seminars and workshops

Clean Futures is a government backed programme designed to support the West Midlands' transport sector to be at the heart of the Green Industrial Revolution.

Clean Futures is designed to drive forward regional plans for growth by accelerating innovation within businesses, so they can produce cleaner technologies for the transport sector. The Clean Futures programme will focus on challenge-led areas including greener electric vehicle components, circular economy of transport, road freight alternatives, greener transport infrastructure and future fuels, which will be delivered through two major programmes of work.

C & W Business Solutions

Services: Helps small and medium sized enterprises demystify the world of business finance

Providing guidance and support activities to enable business growth in the West Midlands.

The programme is intended to have regional impact by significantly improving the opportunity of gaining external investment for start-ups, early years high growth SMEs and scale up SMEs.

HS2 Ltd

Services: https://www.hs2.org.uk/

As HS2 continues to take shape in the West Midlands, its long-term economic benefits are already being felt.

Exciting landmarks are rising on local skylines, attracted by the improved transport connections and business confidence that HS2 brings. Talk to the Supply Chain Manager about HS2's portfolio of Tier 1 & 2 Rolling Stock & railway systems contractors working collaboratively with awarded Tier 1 contractors.

Made Smarter West Midlands - Headline Sponsor

Services: Digital Transformation & Leadership Advice and Funding

Made Smarter is leading the UK’s ambitious plans to grow manufacturing through digital technologies, innovation and skills. 

Now's the time for manufacturing to evolve and with emerging technologies the possibilities are endless. Made Smarter can help you to leverage the power of these tools. The manufacturers of tomorrow use technology to streamline their processes - they are faster, more responsive, and more efficient. Ultimately, they make better products for less. Made Smarter helps you secure this competitive edge.

Midlands Cyber

Services: https://midlandscyber.com/

Midlands Cyber is the Regional Cyber Security Cluster for the West Midlands, recognised by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and supported through UKC3.

Midlands Cyber is committed to driving cyber sector growth throughout the West Midlands. Their platform allows cyber and tech businesses to access new markets, discover new partnerships, strengthen international connections, connect with academics to engage with new technologies and promote the skills agenda needed for this sector to flourish in the region.

Midland Metro Alliance

Services: https://metroalliance.co.uk/

The Midland Metro Alliance is designing and building a number of Metro extensions across the West Midlands.

The alliance consists of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which owns the West Midlands Metro; a consortium of design experts from Egis, Tony Gee and Pell Frischmann; and rail construction specialists Colas Rail – supported by Colas’ sub-alliance partners Colas Ltd, Barhale, Bouygues UK and Auctus Management Group.

Orapi Applied Ltd

Services: https://www.orapiapplied.com/

Orapi Applied Ltd is a world-leading UK manufacturer of specialist chemicals and paint shop consumables. 

These products assist in the achievement of the optimal paint finish, so often required by automotive OEM’s such as VW, Audi, BMW, Jaguar Landrover, Aston Martin, Fiat, Iveco, Toyota, Volvo, JCB and many more all over the world. The products are also extensively used in other industrial manufacturing sectors such as the wind turbine industry, kitchen and furniture manufacturing, as well as other industries where high quality paint finishes are a critical requirement.

Oxford Innovation - Business Growth West Midlands

Services: Initial diagnostic, business growth action plans and tailored support.

The Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) in Dudley Programme offers support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) from across the region – tailored for those who are looking to innovate… grow… or strengthen the foundations of their business. Businesses who join the programme will receive a suite of FREE services including expert advice through a dedicated team of Business Growth Advisors and a customised business diagnostic.

The scheme also opens doors to the wider business support landscape, with access to key areas such as local authority grant opportunities and specialised support such as net zero, start-up assistance, and preparing for investment readiness.

Funded as part of the wider West Midlands £42 million investment from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the BGWM in Dudley programme is delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice - a seasoned expert in business growth with over 30,000 happy clients to their name.

Primo XR

Services: Extended reality solutions, XR devices and software

A single source for all things Extended Reality.

Primo XR offers a uniquely consultative approach to Extended Reality (XR) solutions, based upon extensive experience in implementing this cutting-edge technology. Their goal is to help businesses and organizations harness the power of XR (Virtual, Augmented, Mixed and Assisted Reality) to enhance their workflow and improve their bottom line. From connecting workers on the shopfloor or out in the field, to designers collaborating remotely, or trainees using immersive learning, XR technology is helping revolutionise the way users communicate and learn.

Technology Supply Chain

Services: Membership Services

The Technology Supply Chain delivers growth for manufacturing, engineering, technology and health tech companies by providing support, connections, opportunities, grants and finance.

The Technology Supply Chain is different to other membership organisations. They proactively work with their members, partners and patrons to help them grow.

Theorem Solutions Ltd

Services: CAD Translation, 3D PDF Publishing, Extended Reality (XR)

Theorem is an independent privately owned organisation which has been providing solutions to the world’s leading engineering and manufacturing companies for over 30 years.

They help companies to extract greater value from their existing 3D CAD assets. For the last 5 years They have further extended the value of those 3D CAD assets by enabling them to be used in eXtended Reality (XR) Experiences, allowing engineering companies to collaborate within innovative Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality Experiences.

Traffic Management Products

Services: Engineering innovation for Highways and Car Parks

Traffic Management Products lead the way, through innovation in the highways industry and beyond.

Continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible, in product design, performance testing over and above the standards, material research, manufacturing process, quality control and tolerances to deliver the best customer experience from start to finish.

Vertical Realities

Services: Consultancy, deployment, user adoption and support programmes

A leading provider of immersive technology services and consultancy with expertise in hardware, software and managed service implementation.

Vertical Realities helps companies address today’s business challenges, Future of Work; War on Talent; Carbon Neutral; using today's technology. They simplify the complexities often involved in the design, deployment, adoption, management and support of immersive global rollouts.

WMG

Services: Research & solutions

Warwick Manufacturing Group are a multi-disciplinary department renowned for tackling industrial, environmental and societal challenges through collaborative research with companies of all scales and complexities.

Their industrially-informed undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes create pipelines of talented graduates equipped with the skills needed to thrive in current and future industries.

Wolverhampton University - Brownfield Institute

Services: Research & innovation, policy development and commercial.

The National Brownfield Institute (NBI) is a world-class research centre that provides the facility to develop modern methods of building through innovation and partnership with the construction industry, focusing on the practical application of future brownfield regeneration and remediation through the work of research teams, leading policy development and commercial services.

The NBI focuses on the practical application of future brownfield regeneration through the work of research teams; and leads policy development, research and innovation, and commercial services for brownfield regeneration. The NBI houses some of the latest facilities to support business engaged in brownfield regeneration. It also houses state-of-the-art technology. 

Worcestershire Growth Hub

Services: Access to grants & funding, green energy & net zero, specialist advice & guidance, exporting & importing, skills & training.

The Worcestershire Growth Hub was established in 2016 with the core aim of supporting high growth SMEs to further grow and develop.

The support provided through the Growth Hub helps businesses to develop their internal capability in order to improve their productivity, grow and create jobs. The Growth Hub acts as a Business Champion and has exceeded it’s targets each year, supporting more and more Worcestershire businesses to grow and succeed.

The Meet the Buyer Lounge has now opened - Please request your one-to-one meeting with the buyers below by emailing info@finditin.co.uk

Services: See below

Hitachi Rail

Services: Cost-out ideas for existing systems, risk reduction plans to secure & simplify supply chains, new solutions to customer needs and close support as Hitachi grows in target regions.

Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of rail solutions across rolling stock, signalling, operation, service & maintenance, digital technology and turnkey.

Successful partnerships with the supply chain are at the heart of the business, so key buyers will be on hand at this event to talk to local suppliers for a number of requirements including:

• Welding
• Engineering Consultancy
• Facilities
• Fabrication
  

HS2 Ltd

Services: From trains to cranes – HS2 and the West Midlands development boom

As HS2 continues to take shape in the West Midlands, its long-term economic benefits are already being felt.

Exciting landmarks are rising on local skylines, attracted by the improved transport connections and business confidence that HS2 brings. Talk to the Supply Chain Manager about HS2's portfolio of Tier 1 & 2 Rolling Stock & railway systems contractors working collaboratively with awarded Tier 1 contractors and about their partnership with Hitachi Rail.

Midland Metro Alliance

Services: Aggregates, concrete, steel, plant, labour services, waste, sustainable solutions, security services, rail services (such as encapsulation, S&C, sleepers, OLE)

The Midland Metro Alliance is designing and building a number of Metro extensions across the West Midlands. The alliance consists of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which owns the West Midlands Metro; a consortium of design experts from Egis, Tony Gee and Pell Frischmann; and rail construction specialists Colas Rail – supported by Colas’ sub-alliance partners Colas Ltd, Barhale, Bouygues UK and Auctus Management Group.

The MMA is looking to meet a variety of West Midlands suppliers so join this event to talk to the buyers now.

Coventry Very Light Rail

Services: A fantastic opportunity to find out more about the project and talk informally about the potential opportunities that will arise from the investment in emerging VLR technology.

Coventry Very Light Rail is a research and development project, using the latest automotive expertise in the region to develop an innovative track design and vehicle, and deliver an affordable light rail system, for Coventry and beyond.

Do you have new, lower-cost technologies that you can talk to Coventry City Council about? Meet the Project Manager at his exhibition stand.