Manufacturing businesses gathered at the University of Warwick’s Wellesbourne Campus last month to hear from Matt Western MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Electric and Automated Vehicles.

Mr Western addressed the select audience of 50 business leaders from companies specialising in manufacturing at the Talk Manufacturing event. He emphasized the level of skill, expertise and capacity in the region making it strategically important in the journey towards electrification.

Steven Bell, General Manager at Pashley Cycles, also discussed the opportunities around the electrification of bikes and cargo trikes. The company has been based in nearby Stratford-upon-Avon producing hand-built, British-made bicycles since 1926, and has recently collaborated with WMG, University of Warwick, on a new range of tilting electric cargo bikes to meet the increasing demand for zero-emission, last-mile cargo vehicles.

As well as an established crop research presence, Wellesbourne Campus has a growing cluster of businesses focussed on advanced manufacturing research and development. In addition to WMG, University of Warwick, Lotus Advanced Technology Centre, Lyra Electronics, Stoli Catalysts and Fluxsys are also located on the campus.


Professor David Greenwood, CEO of High-Value Manufacturing Catapult based at WMG, University of Warwick, said:

“Having a research-intensive university like Warwick on the doorstep can give businesses a huge advantage as they look to innovate and solve manufacturing problems.

“The High-Value Manufacturing Catapult exists to support both large and small companies – as well as start-ups – in their growth through research, development and innovation. Events like these are a great way to connect with the Catapult and with other local companies with similar interests.”

Talk Manufacturing is an initiative from Talk Business UK aiming to showcase the breadth of advanced manufacturing in Coventry and Warwickshire and facilitate research and development links between businesses.

Martin Yardley, Director of Wellesbourne Campus said:

“It’s great to be hosting industry leaders here at Wellesbourne at a series of events that really focus on advanced manufacturing and future-facing innovation. Warwick’s Wellesbourne Campus is becoming one of the most important strategic sites in the region for companies to co-locate alongside other innovative businesses and academic researchers.”

Matt Western talks to David Evans from WMG, University of Warwick and Gabriel Yoong and Cameron Brown from the micro mobility business, Honeycomb.

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The next event in the series, held at Wellesbourne Campus, is in July.