The region’s SMEs have the opportunity to race ahead in the rapidly emerging electric vehicle sector, thanks to a fully funded programme, designed by The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) and Supply Chain North East (SCNE).
The Electrification Supplier Readiness programme, follows the hugely successful meet the buyer event in February with Britshvolt as keynote speaker and a Britishvolt supplier outreach event in March, that attracted over 450 attendees.
In response to the interest in online events, together with the rapidly evolving electrification sector, the Electrification Supplier Readiness programme is aimed at organisations new to the sector and those who want to learn more about how they can supply into it, or businesses looking to grow in this market. The programme will also provide an insight into the world of electrification, looking at the electric vehicle landscape and infrastructure, regional and national supply chain opportunities, new standards and practical advice about implementation.
As part of the programme, SCNE and the NEAA have announced a five-hour, Electrification Supplier Readiness Event on 29 April, working with the Department for International Trade, Newcastle University and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK.
Speakers will include, Martin Wood, supply chain specialist, Department for International Trade Automotive Team, Paul Butler, chief executive officer, NEAA, Ryan Maughan, founder, AVID Technology Group and chair of EV North, Rachel Chambers, chief operating officer, DER North East, Colin Herron, managing director, Zero Carbon Futures, Philippa Oldham, stakeholder engagement director, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, John Regnart, automotive trend strategist, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Ruby Akhtar, business relationship lead, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK.
Supply Chain North East is a multi-million-pound programme aimed at helping North East businesses grow, diversify and unlock new market opportunities. It provides industry insight and sector knowledge on the UK and international supply chains, giving businesses tailored, specialist advice in areas including sales and marketing, digital transformation, accreditation and compliance.
An integral part of the North East Growth Hub, SCNE sees four key partners, RTC North, Generator, North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) and North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), join forces to work with over 800 businesses between 2018 and 2021.
Paul Butler, NEAA chief executive, said: “North East firms are in prime position to capitalise on the electric vehicle revolution, with the region being home to Europe’s most successful electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, Europe’s first Gigafactory, Envision AESC, the UK’s largest battery pack manufacturing facility, HYVE, part of Hyperdrive Innovation and the newly announced Britishvolt, one of the UK’s largest ever industrial investments.
“The NEAA is committed to ensuring the region remains at the forefront of vehicle electrification. The phenomenal interest generated by the key note address by Britishvolt at our virtual meet-the-buyer event and the subsequent Britishvolt supplier outreach event, is a clear indication that SMEs are eager to understand the market opportunity and how they can position themselves to take advantage of this rapidly expanding sector, which is thriving, right here, in the North East.
“I would encourage every member of the NEAA and SCNE programme to sign up, and those not in either should get in touch with us now, there has never been a better time for companies to enter the automotive sector or for existing companies to expand their activities.” https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/electrification-supplier-readiness-event-tickets-146944848999.
The NEAA’s vision is for the region to be recognised as a true automotive powerhouse with a very dynamic, forward looking and competitive supply chain, that incorporates strengths in research, development and innovation in new automotive electrification technologies and manufacturing processes.
EV North was established in mid-2020 to promote the North East as a global centre for manufacture and development of electrification technologies.
Chaired by Ryan Maughan, founder of several businesses in the EV space, Ryan has long been at the forefront of the shift towards electrification and is a guest speaker at the Electrification Supplier Readiness Event.
Ryan, said: “EV North’s mission is to promote the North East and our members activities in the manufacture and development of electrification technologies, encourage collaborative projects between members, as well as attract investment to support building and scale-up of manufacturing, research and development excellence for electrified powertrain components in the region.
“I am delighted to support the Electrification Supplier Readiness programme, in particular the event on 29 April, because it is important, we engage with as many companies a possible who can help build our capability in this sector.
“In addition to this, EV North will hold a Consortium Building Workshop on 5 May to delve a little deeper into the area of funding and how we can encourage and support more North East companies to seize funding call opportunities.”