The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, is to lead the launch of Enscite, a new organisation created to improve the performance of SMEs within the transport engineering supply chain.
He will deliver a keynote speech at the event on Thursday 10th April 2014 at Derby’s Roundhouse, a restored Victorian railway works.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We are investing record amounts in our transport infrastructure, which is a vital engine for growth for this country. Multi-billion pound projects like Thameslink and Crossrail and our huge investment plans for our road and rail networks are providing countless opportunities for small and medium businesses to grow. That is why it is vital an organisation like Enscite exists to support these businesses and help drive forward our economy.”
Enscite is a collaboration involving four partners – Derby City Council, The University of Derby, Aston University and Cranfield University.
It is focused on forging close working relationships across the aerospace, automotive and rail supply chains – from OEMs through to SMEs – in order to support the growth in re-shoring and to support SMEs seeking to innovate and grow new commercial opportunities.
Enscite is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Regional Growth Fund and will initially focus support on firms within the East Midlands, and will be the flagship tenant in the Innovation Centre at Derby’s Infinity Park once complete in 2015.
The event will explain how Enscite will work to improve the performance of and maximise business opportunities for SMEs in the engineering supply chain. It is open to all companies – large and small – across the automotive, aerospace and rail supply chain, and will be attended by Enscite’s partners, and representatives from other organisations from within the sector.
“Enscite’s main aim is to help manufacturing businesses to grow and thrive,” said Enscite MD Colin McKinnon. “It offers a range of support services to SMEs, including access to a £1m Technology Fund to help firms invest in new cutting edge equipment, and is committed to becoming the UK’s leading national centre for supply chain innovation in the transport engineering sector.
“Enscite exists to work collaboratively with all elements of the engineering supply chain,” said Colin, “to assist SMEs navigate through and understand it, so they can identify and overcome their own company-specific barriers to growth, maximise the chances and opportunities within the supply chain, and ultimately improve revenue and profit.”
Enscite Chairman Professor John Coyne, added: “Now is the right time for an organisation dedicated to the engineering supply chain. The sector is set for sustained growth and an increasing number of UK companies are looking to re-shore production in the UK, creating jobs whilst cutting production costs.
“Enscite, its partners, knowledge, business improvement programmes and connections with the sector’s OEMs, bridges the gap for SMEs and the major manufacturers.”
