The "Made in the UK, Sold to the World" roadshow, hosted by the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in collaboration with various partners, recently took place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. This high-energy gathering brought together manufacturers, business leaders, and industry influencers from across the UK, along with international buyers and sector specialists, creating valuable opportunities for global connections. In addition to the main speeches, the event featured various seminars covering export finance, market entry strategies, and global trade insights, providing a comprehensive platform for businesses to expand their horizons.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, opened the event with a passionate address that underscored the critical role of manufacturing in the region’s economy. “Manufacturing generates around £10 billion of our regional economy and employs approximately 120,000 people – almost 10% of our workforce, well above the national average,” he stated. Parker emphasised the importance of investing in skills and infrastructure, including a £150 million annual commitment to workforce upskilling and major projects like HS2, which promises to connect the West Midlands to London and other economic hubs in under 40 minutes. He also spoke of the region’s ambitious plans for growth, including the upcoming regional growth plan set for release in June, which will prioritise advanced manufacturing as a cornerstone for future economic development.
Ian Constance, CEO of the Advanced Propulsion Centre, followed with a powerful message about the critical role of innovation in securing the UK’s position in the global automotive sector. “Innovation is really a journey – from a kernel of an idea to a viable, scalable product,” Constance said. He highlighted the APC’s impressive track record, having facilitated over £1.6 billion in collaborative R&D, safeguarding over 60,000 high-value UK jobs in the automotive sector. Constance also underscored the importance of the West Midlands as a global hub for automotive innovation, home to iconic brands like Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Triumph, as well as cutting-edge R&D centres like the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.
Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting UK businesses in reaching global markets. He praised the region’s role as a major hub for exports, stating, “The West Midlands is not just a great hub of engineering and design – it’s a massive exporting hub too.” He highlighted recent trade agreements, including a landmark deal with India, set to become the third-largest economy by 2028, and a significant tariff reduction for British car exports to the United States. “We’ve secured over £400 million in tariff reductions in the first year, rising to around £900 million over the next decade,” he said, reflecting the government’s push to open up more markets for UK businesses.
Thomas also highlighted the success of local businesses like Made in the Midlands member Brandauer, a precision engineering company based in Birmingham, led by CEO Rowan Crozier. “Brandauer is a fantastic example of the innovation and precision that Midlands manufacturers are known for. Their components are used in the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and they recently secured a £4 million export contract with DBT support,” Thomas noted, recognising Crozier as one of the region’s outstanding export champions.
Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer, networking at the Made in the UK Roadshow exhibition.
Amy Clarke, Head of Short Term Businesses at UK Export Finance, emphasised the importance of financial support in enabling UK businesses to grow internationally. “Our mission is to help businesses of all sizes scale up their export journey,” Clarke said, highlighting that UK Export Finance provided £8.8 billion in support for UK exports in the 2023-24 financial year, helping to secure over 41,000 UK jobs. This support underlines the vital role that financial backing plays in driving UK manufacturing success on the global stage.
Several members of the Made in the Midlands community were present at the event, sharing insights and showcasing their products. Jon Stone, Managing Director of Frederick Cooper (Birmingham), commented on the early stages of the company’s export journey, saying, “For us, it was a really good learning session to work out the next steps for Frederick Cooper and make some initial contacts to help us open the export markets.” Stone emphasised the need for practical, straightforward advice and connections to experienced exporters as essential to the company’s export ambitions.
Michael Collins, Founder of MSC Business Services, spoke about the importance of government support for advanced manufacturing companies, saying, “There’s more support required, specifically for advanced manufacturing companies with technology ideas – investment grants, access to finance, and skillshare are critical to helping these businesses scale.”
Made in the Midlands members Adrian Cadman (Sales Manager, Lanemark Combustion), Matt Harwood (Managing Director, Barkley Plastics), Jon Stone (Managing Director, Frederick Cooper (Birmingham) ), and Ilona Pitt (Director, Made in Group) connecting at the Made in the UK Roadshow.
As the nation continues to navigate a rapidly changing economic landscape, the commitment to innovation, export growth, and skills development remains more vital than ever. Ilona Pitt, Director of Made in Group, highlighted the value of events like the Made in the UK Roadshow in supporting the region’s manufacturing sector. “Connecting manufacturers to share insights, form partnerships, and navigate the challenges of international trade is an important part of ensuring the long-term competitiveness of UK industry,” Pitt said.
With UK manufacturing contributing billions to the economy and providing thousands of high-value jobs – like the 120,000 manufacturing roles in the West Midlands alone – the industry’s success relies on recognising and empowering its people. This commitment to celebrating the makers, from precision engineers to cutting-edge technology innovators, is at the heart of Made in Group’s mission.
As part of this commitment, Made in Group is proud to introduce The Great 100 Awards – a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the industry’s unsung heroes. Nominate your manufacturing champions and join us in celebrating the people who drive UK manufacturing forward.
To nominate and learn more, visit Great100 Awards and be part of this movement to honour the makers behind the machines.