AME boss urges manufacturers to take advantage of ‘unique’ US trade

The head of the UK’s first ‘Faculty on The Factory Floor’ is urging manufacturers to take part in a new mission to increase exports to the United States.

Carl Perrin, Director of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), will lead an eight-day visit to the US and believes it is an ideal opportunity to explore a new market, learn more about best practice manufacturing and discover possible business opportunities.

Organised by Coventry University, the tour of the Mid West will include behind the scene visits to high-profile manufacturing companies including John Deere, Xtrac, RenewAire and Subaru of Indiana.

Delegates will also receive expert advice from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) on exporting to the US, a detailed market briefing from the Chicago Consulate and access to Purdue College of Technology and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“We are heading to this area of the US because it has a high concentration of advanced engineering companies in the agricultural machinery, energy, fabrication motorsport, medical devices and automotive sectors, demonstrating ‘good practice’ and facing challenges similar to those of the UK and Europe,” explained Carl.

“The itinerary is looking extremely impressive, especially the number of companies that are opening the doors to us and who are happy to share their experiences.”

He continued: “There will be a strong focus on implementing build-to-order strategies, reducing process development cycles and developing supply chain relationships, not to mention how the Mid West is addressing the skills challenge.

“The US is one of the UK’s biggest export markets and I can only see that increasing…now is the time for a select group of manufacturers to get ahead of the rest.”

The Advanced Manufacturing Trade Mission – due to take place between 17^th-25^th May - is open to SMEs and large manufacturers and costs just £2995+vat, which includes all flights, accommodation, a welcome reception and group dinner.

Members of the delegation will also receive tickets to see the world famous Indy 500 race.

Carl concluded: “One of my roles at AME is to play a small part in increasing the UK’s global competitiveness and being invited to lead this visit is an important element of that brief.

“It is rare for this many world class businesses and academic institutions to give UK firms so much time…it really is an opportunity not to be missed.”

The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, a collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing Group, is pioneering a new higher education model for manufacturing degrees, offering a blend of innovative activity-led teaching, product development and research.

A dedicated 1,700 square metre state-of the-art manufacturing and R&D space is now officially open and home to the first cohort of 22 undergraduates and 5 postgraduate students.

The hub houses over £2m of state-of-the-art automation, joining technology and testing equipment and – alongside Unipart’s existing production lines – will play a key role in delivering £multi-million research projects to accelerate zero prototyping, explore lightweight exhausts and a new fuel rail system.

To register for this event, please visit www.coventry.ac.uk/usmission, contact 02477 659 009 or tweet @ame_uk on twitter.