Webinar provides advice and support for Automotive SME businesses in Warwickshire

Growth at Rolls-Royce Aerospace and Airbus, alongside increased UK and overseas defence spending, presents opportunities to apply transferable skills and capabilities. Entry is likely to require investment, long-term commitment, capability assessment, active networking and engagement with trade bodies, the MOD and prime contractors. These were explored in more detail in a recent webinar. 

Following the announcement of 4,000 job losses at JLR, the automotive supply chain has been highlighting the challenges facing the sector, including declining production volumes, and the need to diversify supply chains to maintain volumes to support overheads and operating costs. Car production reached 1.7m units in 2016 but was as low as 700,000 in 2025. The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), one of the leading trade bodies for the auto sector in the UK, recently ran a webinar highlighting the difficult operating environment for UK automotive manufacturing. Topics covered in the webinar include: 

• A challenging domestic business environment, including high industrial energy and labour costs. 
• Increasing trade protectionism, including EU “Made in Europe” proposals and Rules of Origin concerns. 
• The transition to electric vehicles, representing a fundamental technological and market shift for the sector. 
• Growing competition from new entrants to global markets. 
• Continued erosion of the UK supply base, despite the recognised quality, innovation and engineering capability of the UK workforce. 

The webinar included contributions from ADS, the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security and space technology, defence prime Babcock with tips and advice on the prime-contractor relationship, and the Defence Office for Small Business Growth at the Ministry of Defence, as well as a welcome address from Mike Hawes, the CEO of SMMT. 

Steve Collins at ADS presented on SC2, a continuous-improvement programme delivered through the ADS Supply Chain Solutions Framework. Businesses can complete a free Baseline Maturity Assessment to understand current capability and priorities. A more detailed supported assessment is also available, and participating businesses can work towards Bronze, Silver or Gold recognition. 

Andy Webling, Defence Office for Small Business Growth at the Ministry of Defence, outlined work to grow SME participation in defence procurement with a 50% increase in SME spending target, both through direct MOD opportunities and through prime contractors’ supply chains.  

Amerie Bailey, Head of SME Procurement at Babcock, described the company’s engagement with smaller suppliers. The webinar stated that 60% of Babcock’s Tier 1 supply chain comprises SMEs. Babcock provides a supplier registration route and directs UK SMEs to the Hellios SME Portal, a free gateway intended to improve SME visibility to buyers in defence, aerospace and security. 

For those unable to attend the webinar, the slides from the event are available from the SMMT website. 

The automotive sector, including the design and manufacture of a range of vehicles and propulsion systems, is a major employer in the county, and includes global brands like Aston Martin Lagonda, BMW, Dennis Eagle, GM, JLR, Meclac and Thwaites Dumpers, supported by a deep tier 1-4 supply chain. Warwickshire Business Growth Service, together with partner Oxford Innovation and the Manufacturing Growth Programme, is providing support for SME businesses in the county looking to diversify into aerospace and defence supply chains.

For further information on the WBGS service and support available for businesses, visit business.warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 412 709.