Major procurement conference is a turning point for regional firms hit by automotive decline
Midlands manufacturers, particularly those in the automotive supply chain, are being urged to capitalise on a historic surge in Ministry of Defence spending as a flagship procurement conference prepares to open its doors next month.
The Defence Procurement Conference takes place on June 11 and 12 at Millennium Point in Birmingham, with 2,000 attendees already registered.
The event will bring together manufacturers, prime contractors and government procurement officials to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) break into defence supply chains.
A £7.5 billion opportunity
The conference follows a Government announcement in March that MoD spending with SMEs will rise to £7.5 billion by May 2028, a 50 per cent increase on the 2023/24 financial year.
Conference organiser Dr Richard Fallon said: “The West Midlands has unique manufacturing prowess, particularly in the automotive sector, but longstanding factors as well as recent events have led to a decline in that area.
“There is a clear opportunity for these firms to pivot towards the growth sector of defence.”
Automotive decline leaves a gap
The region once dominated UK vehicle production, accounting for around 60 per cent of output in the early 1970s.
That share had fallen to just 18 per cent by 2008. Last year, a cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover halted production at sites including Solihull and Wolverhampton, exposing the fragility of the regional supply chain.
“The JLR cyber incident exposed just how vulnerable the West Midlands supply chain can be when a major manufacturer goes offline,” said Dr Fallon.
“The opportunity in the defence sector could not have come at a better time.”
Government backing
Al Carns, Minister for the Armed Forces and MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: “Strengthening our national security goes hand in hand with strengthening British industry.
“This conference will help demystify the procurement process, connect businesses with key decision-makers, and ensure more companies are equipped to contribute to the UK’s resilience and sovereign capability.”
