Automotive Initiatives

This £4.5m support package helped automotive suppliers in the region to get through the economic downturn. It was launched by West Midlands Taskforce Chair and Regional Minister, Ian Austin in July 2009 and the funding was fully distributed just three months later.

The funding was provided by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund, and was designed to provide struggling component part makers with up to £50,000 of specialist strategic consultancy to help with business consolidation, refinancing , new product introduction and restructuring.

The Automotive Response Programme was delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service in partnership with Accelerate and assisted more than 120 companies, ranging from SMEs to tier 1s and even local car producers.

It is estimated that this dedicated support safeguarded up to 1000 jobs in the supply chain.