Covid-19 Guidance Issue

WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Some news-in-brief from around the region...

UK Automotive halts manufacturing sites

In response to falling demand, pressure on component supply and staff self-isolation, all major vehicle makers in the UK have halted manufacturing production for the next few weeks. This includes Jaguar Land Rover at various sites and BMW at Hams Hall. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/jaguar-land-rover-and-bentley-halt-production-month

Coventry’s CADCAM in JV with Belarus EV bus-maker

Coventry engineering consultancy and low volume vehicle manufacturer CADCAM Automotive has set up a JV agreement with a Belarus EV commercial vehicle company which could create up to 600 jobs in the UK. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/new-jv-with-belarus-manufacturer-will-deliver-600-new-jobs-to-coventry-company/

Local aero company joins medical ventilator consortium

Meggitt Plc, the aerospace technology company which builds components including oxygen systems for civil aerospace and military fighter programs, jas joined a consortium alongside engineers GKN, Thales SA and Renishaw Plc to produce basic ventilators to help the National Health Service cope with the coronavirus outbreak. The company will soon be moving to its new £130m technology centre, at Prospero Ansty. https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/03/19/world/europe/19reuters-health-coronavirus-meggitt-ventilators.html

Nuneaton’s HORIBA-MIRA wins major MOD contract

HORIBA-MIRA has won a multimillion-pound contract to provide a number of unmanned ground vehicles and autonomous systems to the Ministry of Defence. https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/horiba-mira-wins-major-mod-contract

Pictures and technical details revealed for new Warwickshire-designed and built van

Warwickshire-based London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), part of the Geely Group of companies, has released pictures and specifications of its new electric, in advance of it launching later this year. The new VN5 will have a payload of more than 800kg and will have a pure electric range of 63 miles, with a total range of 301 miles.

Chief executive Joerg Hofmann said: "Our new VN5 further signifies our transformation from the iconic British taxi brand to leading electric commercial vehicle manufacturer. Following our success withTX in the taxi market, VN5 is now set to revolutionise green logistics." https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/levc-unveils-details-of-new-electric-van

Next stop Southam for pioneering rail firm

A pioneering train-maker’s decision to move its main manufacturing base to a new home in the Midlands shows the region remains the home of innovation, according to the man who brokered the deal.

Vivarail – which is at the forefront of moves to develop emission-free trains – has agreed a deal for a new manufacturing base at Southam, near Leamington Spa, to help it meet a growing order book.

The deal was negotiated by Bromwich Hardy partner Andrew Cosnett, who said it underlined the Midlands’ key role as the manufacturing centre of the nation. https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/bromwhich-hardy-230320/

Atherstone-based Aldi Stores UK in recruitment drive

Aldi has launched a recruitment drive to hire 9,000 new workers across the UK as part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak. The discount supermarket said 5,000 of the new roles will be temporary, with 4,000 being permanent. https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/aldi-to-recruit-9000-new-workers?

Departure date for St Mods chief brought forward

The departure of developer St Modwen's chief executive Mark Allan is to be brought forward to April 13th, earlier than April 30th as previously announced.

St Modwen are developing St Modwen Park, the logistics and manufacturing site at J10 M42 in North Warwickshire, and own the Meon Vale logistics site, and QRTC rail technology site near Stratford-upon-Avon. https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/st-modwens-ceo-departure-date-moved-forward?

Coventry & Warwickshire LEP appoints interim chair

The decision to appoint a new chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) has been delayed by the coronavirus outbreak. Interviews to appoint Jonathan Browning’s successor have been postponed due to the on-going Covoid-19 situation. The current vice-chair Nick Abell has been appointed by the board of directors as interim chair from Wednesday, April 1, to maintain strong, clear leadership. https://www.cwlep.com/news/interim-cwlep-chair-appointed

Holt Commercial land most active office agent award

Holt Commercial has been named Coventry & Warwickshire’s most active office agent – by one of the world’s leading sources of commercial property information.

The company was named the Most Active Disposal Agent by CoStar in terms of both the number of deals done throughout 2019 and the square footage disposed of. Holt Commercial advised clients on at least 28 office deals across the year and that totalled more than 106,436 sq ft of space. http://www.commercialnewsmedia.com/archives/99575

Businesses consulted about bus provision

Warwickshire County Council is keen to better understand the views of businesses and their employees towards bus provision and patronage.

The council unanimously declared a climate change emergency last July and acknowledges that the local bus network and supporting infrastructure will have a fundamental role to play in contributing towards tackling climate change, improving air quality and meeting carbon neutrality targets.  

 If you're a business and would like to take part in the survey, please contact Matthew Moll at TAS Partnership Ltd contact@taspartnership.com

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