Manufacturers across the West Midlands are being urged to seize new growth opportunities, boost productivity and strengthen their supply chains at a major free event taking place in Birmingham next month.
Futureproof Manufacturing for the West Midlands, which will take place at IET Birmingham: Austin Court in Cambridge Street on Wednesday, March 11 between 9.30am-1pm, will bring together industry leaders, policy makers and innovation experts to outline how SMEs can diversify into high-growth sectors, adopt digital technologies and win new orders in emerging sustainable markets.
The keynote presentation will be delivered by Steve Bowyer, Head of the West Midlands Investment Zone – a Mayor of the West Midlands initiative from the West Midlands Combined Authority – who will set out the region’s ambitions to boost manufacturing through the Investment Zone and unlock new supply chain opportunities.
The West Midlands Investment Zone drives inclusive, long-term economic growth through new investment, business support and innovation. This flagship government initiative, focusing on the region’s long-standing and emerging sector strengths, will support the Mayor’s priority of ‘Growth for Everyone’ and position the West Midlands as a leading driver of the UK’s economic ambitions.
Drawing on the opportunities for regional manufacturing, Futureproof Manufacturing for the West Midlands will highlight how suppliers can pivot into six priority clusters including health tech and med tech, smart energy systems, aerospace, modern and low carbon construction and other green industries, and electric light vehicles and battery manufacturing.
Steve Bowyer said: “The West Midlands has a proud manufacturing heritage, but our future success depends on how quickly we adapt to new technologies, new markets and new supply chain demands.
“The Investment Zone is designed to accelerate innovation and attract high-value opportunities into the region. That means real opportunities for local manufacturers, particularly SMEs, to diversify, secure new contracts and embed themselves in fast-growing sectors.
“Programmes such as Made Smarter West Midlands and the Supply Chain Transition Programme are here to help businesses take that step, whether that’s adopting digital tools, improving productivity or entering entirely new markets.”
The free event is being delivered by Supply Smarter West Midlands which is the consortium delivering the Supply Chain Transition Programme, led by C&W Business Solutions, part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub Group, together with the Manufacturing Technology Centre, WMG at the University of Warwick, and the West Midlands Combined Universities- the University of Wolverhampton, Coventry University and Birmingham City University- in collaboration with Made Smarter West Midlands.
Rachel Eade MBE, a transport manufacturing supply chain specialist who is hosting the event, added: “Diverse and adaptable supply chains are critical to the supply chain across the UK and all sectors. Learning about new opportunities for business and the specialised support available is essential for success. The added value of quality networking with people of the same growth and diversification can never be underestimated.”
Nicola Small, Very Light Rail Programme Director for Coventry City Council and Transport for the West Midlands, will also be speaking along with Hamish Falconer, Project Manager at Colas Rail UK which is the Very Light Rail principal contractor.
Nicola Small said: “The Coventry Very Light Rail programme is a prime example of how innovation happening in the West Midlands is creating entirely new supply chain opportunities for regional manufacturers.
“We are developing transport solutions that are lower cost, lower carbon and highly scalable but to deliver them we need an agile, forward-thinking manufacturing base that’s ready to embrace new processes, materials and digital technologies. This event is about helping businesses understand what those opportunities might look like and inspire manufacturers to innovate to meet complex future supply chain challenges.”
There will also be a Meet the Buyer area and exhibition, plus a networking lunch followed by an innovation workshop led by experts from WMG and MTC which will give businesses practical insight into innovation and real-world examples of successful collaborations and innovations.
Craig Humphrey, CEO of C&W Business Solutions, said: “Resilience is critical for manufacturers which is why innovation, automation and diversification need to be at the front of their business plans in the short, medium and long-term.
“This free event has been organised to give manufacturers of all sizes throughout the region the chance to hear from inspirational speakers who are experts in their fields to pass on their knowledge to help businesses win new orders, boost their productivity and future-proof their business as well as network with those at the forefront of manufacturing excellence in the West Midlands.”
Manufacturing businesses interested in attending this free event can register at: Futureproof Manufacturing for the West Midlands Tickets, Wed, Mar 11, 2026 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite
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