West Midlands manufacturers told to look east
1 min read
More than 80 West Midlands' manufacturers declared their interest in exploiting new opportunities in China, during a summit meeting held in Birmingham last week after being urged to make the most of an economy that is increasingly being led by its domestic marketplace.
Companies, including Special Metals Wiggins, RNA Automation and Forward Industrial, were given an in-depth introduction to trading with the emerging superpower. Delegates heard how the automotive industry now sells 18 million cars within China every year (annual growth of 25%) and how consumers, who have some of the fastest rising disposable incomes in the world, have a massive appetite for Western brands and new products.
The event, which was funded by the Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands, also featured addresses from Emma Reynolds (MP for Wolverhampton North East) and Stephen Phillips (China Britain Business Council), the latter highlighting opportunities for the UK to utilise its world leading expertise in low carbon technologies.
Pictured (left to right at the event are: Stephen Phillips (China Britain Business Council), Simon Griffiths (MAS-WM), Wolverhampton North east MP Emma Reynolds and Doug Mahoney (UKTI).
