Member Article

Nissan to give keynote speech as North East Automotive expo returns

The North East Automotive expo is set to come to the region for a second year, returning to Sunderland this September.

The event, which provides opportunities for automotive suppliers and associated service companies to showcase their products and services, will take place at The Stadium of Light on September 22.

Delegates will hear keynote speeches from Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover, who between them, account for two thirds of all vehicle output in the UK.

Make it Sunderland has confirmed as headline sponsor, whilst NELEP has been confirmed as a partner sponsor. Briggs Equipment will sponsor this year’s Meet the Buyer, which facilitated 140 one-to-one meetings at least year’s event and has already gained commitment from Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, Komatsu, Nifco, Calsonic Kansei, Faurecia and Faltec for 2016.

The North East Automotive expo 2016 will also bring new concepts and showcases to support the strong presence of the innovative and growing automotive sector. New for this year is a Technology Showcase, sponsored by Evolution MRO, giving companies a platform to showcase latest technologies or expand existing applications into the automotive sector.

Organisers of the event, industry-led cluster group North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), are now looking for new innovation ideas and technology to be presented during the Technology Showcase, which is being supported by KTN, the UK’s Innovation Network.

The programme will include the opportunity to deliver a three minute pitch to a sector-specific audience, as well as display products within the Technology Showcase hall.

Paul Butler, CEO, said: “We are delighted to be bringing the expo back for its second year following the success of its inaugural year. We are committed to keeping the expo industry focussed and are delighted to be supported by a number of sponsors as well as world-class automotive companies.

“We decided to launch the Technology Showcase this year to enable companies the opportunity to promote their product or process innovation as part of an initiative to support the automotive industry with business prospects. We are confident this year’s event will provide even more opportunities for our members, SMEs and the wider automotive sector.

“We have already sold 80% of our exhibition space so we urge companies within the supply chain to secure your space now and also take advantage of the pre-event dinner, sponsored by South Tyneside Council, which will offer further networking opportunities.”