Category: News

It has been announced today that Dr Chris Owen has been appointed Chief Executive of SMMT Industry Forum – the world-leading productivity improvement and training business. Since 1995, the organisation has provided support services to global companies across manufacturing industries, capitalising on its unique automotive heritage.

“I am delighted that Chris has agreed to lead SMMT Industry Forum through its next stage of development,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “There is renewed enthusiasm for the value of manufacturing and SMMT Industry Forum has the tools and techniques to help companies attain global competitiveness.”

“The unique automotive heritage embedded in the DNA of SMMT Industry Forum is of significant value to companies in every manufacturing industry,” said Chris Owen. “There are great new opportunities for this business and I am honoured to have the chance to lead it during such an exciting period.”

From 10 October, Dr Owen will take charge of the business – now in its 16^th year of operation – calling on his experience in technology, product engineering and quality roles at Perkins Engines and as General Manager of a Caterpillar manufacturing business in France.

SMMT Industry Forum is crucial to the UK and global automotive industries and impacts on a diverse range of other sectors, from aerospace to pharmaceutical, through its best-practice training and business improvement services. The organisation’s engineers and trainers deliver practical solutions, crucial learning and development and, through internationally accredited audit and assessment processes, enhance the productivity and efficiency of businesses across the globe.

For more information about SMMT Industry Forum, please view our website, www.industryforum.co.uk and keep up to date with us on Twitter – @smmtif 

Industry Forum publishes its latest article which focusses on ‘The aerospace sector and its opportunities in the UK economy‘ – click here to view the complete article.

 

Industry Forum has launched a new Leadership & Cultural Change Programme which will be run at its modern Learning Centre in Birmingham. The first course is due to run between 29th November 2011 and 2nd December 2011.

The Leadership and Cultural Change Programme is designed to equip leaders of teams, change agents and engineering project/programme managers with fourteen Key Skills that will enable them to lead change effectively. The programme is delivered in a highly interactive way to allow leaders to experience these skills through a variety of realistic situations. The interactive delivery model allows leaders to develop practical solutions to the challenging situations they face in the working environment whether it is a planned or unplanned period of change.

Participants may include new or experienced managers and professionals who have the responsibility for leading or working as part of a team. The programme is designed to support cross-functional, task or permanent teams achieve the skills required to implement change and develop organisational learning. The teams can include managers and professionals from all business functions e.g. Manufacturing, Purchasing, Logistics, Engineers, Sales, Human Resources, Finance and Customer Service.

For more information on the course, and to book a place on the course, contact us by emailing [email protected]

 

Are you at the forefront of automotive technology, developing tomorrow’s cutting-edge products today?

SMMT is calling on all automotive innovators to finalise their entries for this year’s Award for Automotive Innovation, as there are just five weeks remaining before the entry deadline closes at midnight on 24 August 2011.

Sponsored by GKN Driveline, the Award recognises excellence in automotive design, engineering and technology, highlighting achievements in innovation and acknowledging ideas that have already benefitted, or have the potential to deliver, automotive excellence. The Award is free to enter and open to any individual or organisation wishing to highlight their contribution to the UK automotive industry.

Last year’s Award was presented to Gordon Murray Design for the iStream©, which wowed judges with its innovative approach to manufacturing. It uses disruptive technology for large-scale vehicle production, reducing costs and its environmental impact and has since gone on to form the basis of the T.25 and a prototype electric vehicle, the T.27, which was unveiled earlier this year.

Shortlisted entries receive industry recognition within one of the UK’s most diverse and exciting industries and the winner will be presented with the Award at SMMT’s 95th Annual Dinner on 22 November 2011.

To enter, click here and for more information about the Award or contact Kate Owen by email [email protected] or by telephone +44(0)20 7344 1610

 

 

 

 

We are currently seeking full-time employees and part-time associates for UK and worldwide work.

As an organisation delivering business excellence across a diverse range of  sectors worldwide, we are continually looking for talented, self-motivated, inspirational people to join our team.

Applications from people who can demonstrate the ability to work effectively and engage with employees at all levels across an organisation to deliver complete business solutions are particularly welcome.

If you are interested in applying for a position with Industry Forum please visit the recruitment page by clicking here

 

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has published a new strategy ‘Concept to Commercialisation’. This is the next step on from the first strategy ‘Connect and Catalyse’. It continues the TSB’s vision of the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) for the UK to be a global leader in innovation and a magnet for innovative businesses, where technology is applied rapidly, effectively and sustainably to create wealth and enhance quality of life.

Ian Gray, Chief Executive of the TSB, talking on the new strategy said “We are entering the new spending review period with a strategy to help drive economic growth through innovation. Our new strategy – Concept to Commercialisation – supports the Government’s ambitions and reviews on growth and focuses on helping business navigate the difficult territory after a concept or idea has been initially developed, but before it can enter the market and be fully commercialised.”

The full report can be viewed here

SMMT IF, in association with Quality Partner and TUV Nord delivered a seminar on the 14th May 2011 in Thailand to raise the awareness of VDA 6.3 Process Audit. The seminar, delivered by Paul Hardiman, was attended by over 60 delegates from companies in the automotive supply chain.

The seminar received positive feedback and many of the companies expressed interest in attending further VDA 6.3 training later in the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) Industry Forum has replaced its fleet of Avensis saloons after five years use with six Auris Hybrids, built at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire.

With combined CO2 emissions of 93g/km and a combined fuel consumption figure of 70.6 mpg, the Auris Hybrid makes environmental and economical sense from a fleet user perspective. Being a full hybrid, it is able to run solely on electric power at lower speed which means no fuel is used and zero tailpipe emissions.

Michael Baunton Chairman of SMMT Industry Forum and Paul Everitt SMMT Chief Executive took the opportunity to visit the Toyota plant for the hand-over of the vehicles. Baunton said, “We are dedicated to improving the efficiency and environmental impact of the UK motor industry. With our staff now driving the impressive UK built Toyota Auris Hybrid we can demonstrate the significant improvements that are possible in both areas.”

Auris Hybrid is Toyota’s first European-built hybrid car and forms part of its strategy to make hybrid available throughout its vehicle line-up. Toyota will launch two new full hybrids in 2012, the Yaris Hybrid and seven seat Prius+.