Four Birmingham companies have been shortlisted for the automotive industry’s top accolades, it has been revealed.
Radshape Sheetmetal of Aston) Barkley Plastics and Midland Assembly Network – both of Highgate Street, Birmingham – and Bevan Motor Bodies from Oldbury will join 17 other finalists from across the region at the Accelerator Supplier Awards 2008.
The ceremony takes place on July 11 at the ICC after several influential industry experts judged the final shortlist this week from 65 other entries.
With more than 40 years’ experience in the precision sheet metal industry, Radshape mixes traditional and new production methods using state of the art computerised technology to supply the aerospace, automotive, rail, food, MOD and electrical engineering industries.
The Shefford Road-based firm employs 60 people and has been entered into two categories – ‘Environmental’ and ‘People Development’.
Midland Assembly Network is a collaboration of nine engineering companies supplying car manufacturers across the world which has won more than £8 million of new business.
Meanwhile Global plastics manufacturers Barkley has an enviable 42-year legacy to continue as masters of design; product development; project management; tool making, manufacturing, assembly and distribution and logistics.
Operating from premises measuring 80,000 sq ft, the firm operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
And Bevan Motor Bodies Rieter Automotive supplies comfort products such as noise reduction technology to BMW Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar and employs more than 180 staff at its Hereward Rise premises.
Rachel Eade, programme manager, welcomed Birmingham’s wealth of automotive experience. “The diversity of the four local firms selected by our judges reinforce to the outside world that the automotive supply chain is confidently responding to the global market.”
Popular after-dinner speaker Gyles Brandreth will host the ‘Legends’-themed event, and the theme continues with a star-studded line-up of a different variety.
Dramatically staged throughout the room will be two Morgans – past and future – a Jaguar XF, Modec new generation electric delivery vehicle and even a coach. The larger of the four-wheeled ‘celebrities’ represents this year’s chosen charity, the Variety Club.
The charity helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged children by providing Sunshine Coaches, electric wheelchairs, arranging outings and equipping children’s hospitals.
Funds will be raised on the night to buy a coach for the charity.
Managed by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Advantage West Midlands, Accelerate has been staging this annual Award since 1999. The judges include David Bizley (RAC), Mike Robinson (Jaguar/Land Rover), Matt Faultless (Unipart) and Accelerate chairman Malcolm Bird.
