At the Honda Swindon Task Force event held earlier this month, Honda (www.global.honda) supply chain companies were among those present as Business Secretary Greg Clark launched a £16 million programme to help UK automotive suppliers.

As well as hearing the views of those in the plant’s supply chain, the Honda Swindon Task Force also discussed
the compelling case that is being compiled for why Swindon is the right place to invest in the production of new electric vehicles.

The new National Manufacturing Competitiveness Levels programme is configured to offer support to small and medium-size businesses across the country, starting with those in the Honda supply chain that sell to the automotive sector.

Suppliers will be given advice on how best to ‘evolve’ their products and processes to meet their customers’ future needs.

“This could include training for specialist staff, advice on the latest technologies available or help on accessing business loans to help them invest for the future.”

Businesses supplying Honda UK also had a specialist session with representatives from the Departments for Business and for International Trade about potential opportunities to compete and grow new business, both in the UK and internationally.

This will be further supported by the Government and the Society for Motor Manufacturers by giving supply chain companies access to the Meet the Buyer event — generally regarded as the UK automotive sector’s largest buyer-supplier matching event.

Mr Clark said: “All of us on the Honda Swindon Taskforce are determined to keep pressing the case for Honda to remain in the UK, while at the same time continuing to promote Swindon globally as a leading region for advanced manufacturers to invest in — with the expert companies in Honda’s supply chain a key part of Swindon’s offer.”