Britain remains a great place to manufacture, according to Julian Hetherington, director of strategic manufacturing projects at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
But he has thrown down the gauntlet to the UK-based supply chain to scale up and partner with others in emerging markets, manufacturing products in countries where the new middle classes aspire to drive a Jaguar or a Land Rover.
Such connections were necessary if JLR was to capitalise on the worldwide demand for its premium brands.
Speaking at the latest manufacturers’ network meeting run by the Midlands office of national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe Clark Whitehill, Mr Hetherington welcomed government support for the sector and urged manufacturers to invest time and money in setting out a plan that anticipated customer demands.
Highlighting the benefit of the UK as a key strategic trading base, he went on: “We are an island in the mid-point of time zones with relatively cheap logistics and we speak the international business language as our mother tongue. Britain remains a great place to manufacture and from which to export.”
Recommending that companies seek advice from the Manufacturing Advisory Service, UK Trade & Investment and the Chambers of Commerce, Mr Hetherington encouraged businesses to take the risk and globalise their operations, looking to export as well as manufacture overseas where appropriate.
Johnathan Dudley, head of manufacturing business at Crowe Clark Whitehill, said: “For years we have stressed to our manufacturing clients the need to have a strategy that anticipates the way we will do business in the future, and many have benefited as a result, despite the recent difficulty in the economy.
“So, it was great to hear Julian tell our network how the JLR success story has been based on just such a forward thinking strategy, a strong brand and innovative and desirable cars.
“As committed advisers to manufacturing businesses we wholly support the need for the UK supply base to seek help and look to exploit growth in emerging markets. As we move into 2012, a British Olympic year, UK manufacturers have never had a better opportunity to capitalise on the world watching us and exploit the ‘Made in Britain’ brand.”