Advanced Engineering partners with SMMT and ADS

At this year’s Advanced Engineering UK, held at the NEC, Birmingham on 2-3 November, automotive and aerospace businesses will have the opportunity to meet with buyers from the sectors’ leading OEMs.

The Meet the Buyer event will be open to SMMT and ADS members, as well as exhibitors at Advanced Engineering, with SMMT hosting automotive businesses on day one, and ADS hosting for the aerospace industry on day two. Interested buyers and suppliers simply need to register their interest on the Advanced Engineering website. Details will then be passed to the relevant trade body, who will find the perfect buyer and arrange the meeting.

Selected businesses can also attend a networking lunch hosted by SMMT on day one of the exhibition, and a breakfast hosted by ADS on day two, which will take place in the show’s networking area between the aerospace and automotive show zones, giving them further opportunity to form new partnerships with some of the world’s leading OEMs.

Advanced Engineering UK will house 40 private meeting rooms, thanks to an expansion of floor space at this year’s event, where confidential conversations with eager buyers can take place. The buyers have been carefully selected by the SMMT and ADS respectively, based on their purchasing requirements and enthusiasm to form new relationships, making this an opportunity that cannot be missed.

“Advanced Engineering has always been passionate about ensuring its attendees get the most out of the event,” explained Alison Willis, director at Easyfairs, the organiser of Advanced Engineering. “This is the first time that Advanced Engineering has enabled its visitors to have one-to-one meetings with key buyers that already have projects underway.

“Every buyer that attends is there because they are actively looking suppliers, giving our attendees the best chance possible of doing business. SMMT, ADS and Advanced Engineering will be working hard to arrange these meetings in advance of the show, giving members the chance to plan out their diaries and prepare for a successful meeting.

“The Society of Motor Manufacturers and ADS have been longstanding partners of the show for several years. Both are valued members of our advisory board, which add huge value to exhibitors and visitors as it gives us insight into the leading issues in automotive and aerospace respectively. We’re confident that this event will prove popular with its members, so we’d encourage anyone interested to get in touch soon to avoid missing out on meeting slots.”

ADS represents and supports over 1100 UK businesses operating in aerospace, defence, security and space, making it a key partner at this year’s show. Kevin Craven, ADS chief executive commented: “ADS is delighted to support Advanced Engineering. This is a versatile event that showcases the outstanding quality, innovation and capability of the UK manufacturing industry. The Meet the Buyer programme is an opportunity for national and international companies to make business partnerships with the UK, and we look forward to contributing to its continued success.”

SMMT is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. With over 800 current members, it acts as the voice of the UK motor industry. “A competitive and resilient domestic supply chain is essential if we are to anchor vehicle production in the UK,” added Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.

“Given the tough trading environment and pace of technological change, innovation will be key and Meet the Buyer, which brings together automotive manufacturers with suppliers to develop new business, provides the perfect platform for suppliers to demonstrate their creativity and technological advancements. It has become an essential event on the calendar and SMMT is delighted to bring it to Advanced Engineering for the first time. The broad audience of supply chain and engineering professionals at the show offers the opportunity to forge new links between automotive and other manufacturing industries, to the benefit of all.”