South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

21st November 2005

Entrepreneurs and business leaders from the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) sector outlined the potential of their new technologies and services at the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) sponsored High Value Manufacturing Conference at Harwell International Business Centre, Oxford on 17th November.

The South East is the UK region with the highest proportions of companies developing and creating new products higher up the 'value-added chain' than traditional manufacturers. These companies produce products that require a highly skilled workforce and compete more on quality than on price and are less likely to be driven out of business by low-cost competition, particularly from Asia. The HVM sector could account for half of the UK's manufacturing base within 20 years.

Business leaders speaking at the conference showcased their latest products and technologies, these included micro machining using lasers, the new MINI, nano-sized particles in new sun screens and cutting edge innovation in the new Subaru racing cars developed by Prodrive.

SEEDA Chairman, James Brathwaite, CBE said: "It is predicted that traditional manufacturing in the UK will shrink from 16 per cent GDP to 10 per cent by 2020. By the same year HVM alone could account for 50 per cent of the South East's manufacturing base.

"HVM is the future in a region like the South East, which leads the UK in manufacturing exports and adding value and technologies to products. We must continue to seek new ideas and opportunities and exploit them to their full potential and re-invest that success in R & D.

"SEEDA is focusing on increasing support in the HVM sector and working with partners to establish quick and flexible funding projects that support this sector such as the recently launched nanotechnology fund and the Innovation Advisory Service, providing a team of high level advisers helping companies with their innovation strategies and developing new products."

Speaking at the conference Ralf Hattler, Director of Logistics, IT and Site Structure, BMW Group Plant Oxford, said "On behalf of the BMW Groupwe are very pleased to be buildingMINIin Oxford with such a highly motivated and skilled workforce. High Value Manufacturing is a very important sector for the BMW Group asMINI contains many advanced products and technologies and a high degree of customisation.It is good tosee SEEDA and the South East taking this sector so seriously."

Chairman of the CBI's Manufacturing Council, Nick Brayshaw, spoke at the Conference. saying: "We in the CBI have been watching the growth in HVM with keen interest, and are working hard to encourage the development of this exciting sector."

Speakers at the Conference include Jonathan Flint, CEO, Oxford Instruments, Andrew Kearsley, CEO, Oxford Lasers, and Pail Reip CEO QinetiQ Nanomaterials and the conference ended with a positive message of support from Lord Sainsbury, Minster of Science and Technology.