An exclusive ‘Meet the Buyer’ event was held at the
Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley earlier this month which welcomed more than 100 regional SMEs to connect with and develop new supply chains as part of the
West Midlands Combined Authority and
Business Growth West Midlands ‘Supply Chain Transition Programme’.
During the event on 4 February, which was opened by the Mayor of the West Midlands and hosted by Rachel Eade, supply chain specialist at the University of Birmingham, SMEs had the opportunity to connect with key customers as they sought to diversify and build their customer bases for the future. It was organised by
C&W Business Solutions, part of the
CW Growth Hub Group, in partnership with the
Finditin Network and the
West Midlands Growth Company; and was held at the VLRNIC as an ideal venue central to regional innovation in the transport sector.
The event marked the culmination of two strands of the fully funded ‘Supply Chain Transition Programme’, focused on very light rail (VLR) and light electric vehicles, and micromobility, with delegates hearing from industry experts as they developed their understanding of emerging technologies and the range of support available, particularly beyond the programme as projects and businesses continue to develop. The Mayor discussed his plans to attract more investment into the region’s transport system, emphasising the critical role of regional SMEs in his plans for more connected, sustainable and innovative transport, and the importance of ensuring they receive that support needed to build strong, local supply chains.
Refocus operationsThe £1 million programme began in 2024 and is funded by the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund through the West Midlands Combined Authority and Business Growth West Midlands. It helps SMEs from traditional carbon-intensive industries identify how they can refocus operations and sustainably enter new markets as required.
Angus Brummitt-Brown, senior VLR project manager at
Coventry City Council, highlighted key opportunities for SMEs within the Coventry VLR project, a pioneering R&D project that has been sited at the VLRNIC since it opened in 2022, and explained how the businesses can get involved in this emerging supply chain.
Rachel Eade said: “SMEs play a critical role in all manufacturing supply chains, and true innovation often happens within these businesses. Strong regional supply chains are essential, providing valuable opportunities for SMEs to engage and diversify. This event has been a superb opportunity for SMEs to explore and understand how they can collaborate with key customers.”
James Black, principal engineer from
Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick, headline sponsors for the event, said: “WMG are delivering the Supply Chain Transition Programme for the micromobility sector, and we were proud to sponsor this Meet the Buyer event. It was the perfect opportunity for our cohort of SMEs to connect with key customers and SMEs in the West Midlands who are looking to adapt and grow their regional supply chains.”
Neil Fulton, CEO at
BCIMO, operator of the VLRNIC, concluded: “We were thrilled to be selected as the host venue for this event which aligns perfectly with our organisational goals. This initiative, together with our work on the Clean Futures programme, sets the stage for a dynamic and prosperous future in transport technology for both the West Midlands and the wider UK. We very much look forward to hosting the programme’s Aerospace event on 5 March.”