A two-day summit in the West Midlands to be attended by more than 2,000 manufacturers is aimed at equipping the industry to combat the threat of cheap imports, organisers say.
Manufacturer Live 2005, said to be one of the biggest events of its kind every held, hear from more than 50 speakers from leading companies who will host workshops, seminars and debates.
Senior figures from BAE Systems, Unipart, Siemens, Airbus UK, Rolls Royce, Microsoft, Red Bull Racing and Boots will be among those giving advice.
They will scrutinise the industry's leadership and look at its ability to innovate and achieve world class standards.
Other areas under discussion will include the paradox of skills shortages in a country that shed 82,000 manufacturing jobs last year; cost pressures affecting supply chains and improving shopfloor efficiency. The event, which is sponsored by Barclays and supported by the DTI, will be held at the Telford International Centre on September 28 and 29 and will culminate in the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year Awards.
Glen White, group chief executive of organiser Conquest Business Media said: "We've heard a lot of bad news about manufacturing this year, with the collapse of MG Rover and the associated pain within the supply chain, and the drop in manufacturing output, not to mention the assault on our country's industry from cheap imports from China and other countries exploiting low cost labour.
"But this event is the other side of the coin - this is all about lean and hungry UK manufacturers building on their strengths, seeking out new opportunities, and celebrating success."
