Black Country’s manufacturing strength shines through in Business Festival

The Black Country is about to be inspired by 17 exciting manufacturing events during its first, two-week Business Festival starting on 23 April.

The Festival, initiated by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, is an annual fortnight of business events of all shapes, descriptions and subjects, running throughout the Black Country from 23 April until 4 May.

There are a total of 122 events in the Festival making it the biggest business event in the region.

Cutting-edge subjects like robotics and automation form part of the manufacturing offer. KUKA robotics will be scrutinising the latest products and solutions and how automated processes can help businesses remain competitive and grow; whilst WMG is exploring the rise of automationfrom a real industry perspective on 27 April.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce is hosting an important Manufacturing Roadshow on 3 May identifying funding, support for innovation, training, staffing, planning. In addition, the Manufacturers’ Organisation Manufacturing Connect: Future Factories on 26 April, will examine the future of the industry.

Business in Process will specifically be looking at the Black Country’s position at heart of manufacturing and how OEM’s can also source locally as well as from low cost countries. Manufacturing and engineering companies from across the country are also being invited by Sandwell Business Solutions Centre to find out more about tapping into the facilities at the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills flagship training facility.

The complete list and details of manufacturing events are all listed on the Business Festival website and in the newsletter. Most events are completely free to attend and tickets are all bookable through the website www.blackcountrybusinessfestival.com on a first come, first served basis.

Paul Nichol, manufacturing consultant and Competitiveness Advisory Board Member for the Black Country LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) is the sector lead for Business Festival Advanced Manufacturing. He said, “Our region has seen a colossal transformation with world-renowned businesses setting up camp, equally the Black Country is now seen to be a world-class stage to demonstrate its capabilities in High Value Manufacturing.

“The Business Festival is essential to the region, aiding businesses to connect together which in hand, assists to increase GVA, employment and drive innovation with the support of the local university and catapult centre.

The aim of the Festival is to bring the region together, enabling the local business community to engage, share best practice and collaborate with each other on a completely new level. There will be countless opportunities for businesses and individuals to meet, partner and learn from each other – helping the region, manufacturing industries and the Black Country businesses to prosper, people to develop and the economy grow.

The Black Country Business Festival was initiated by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce . It is partnered by DY5 – Dudley’s Business & Innovation Enterprise Zone and is run in association with Associated Events. The Festival is also supported by a number of organisations which all understand its importance and relevance and want to contribute to its success. These include the following sponsors: Cox & Plant and the Ramada Park Hall Hotel; and supporters: the University of Wolverhampton, Talbots Law, Wolverhampton Racecourse, Casino 36, Sandwell Council and Nachural. The Business Festival media partners are Express & Star, Midlands in Business, Signal 107 and Elonex.