The WMG SME Team has hosted a summer networking event which was attended by over 70 regional businesses. They were joined by partner organisations including the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), Growth Accelerator, Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council at the showcase event that highlighted the exciting work being conducted with West Midlands SMEs over the last year.

Last year, through the delivery of the ERDF funded support programme at the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, the WMG SME Team has helped create six new businesses and 75 new jobs in the West Midlands region.

Making the announcement Dr Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes at WMG said:

“Since we opened IIPSI almost one year ago, we have been overwhelmed with the appetite for innovation in the region and have welcomed almost 500 businesses to the building. We are encouraged that our investment is reaping rewards for small businesses and the local economy.”

As well as tours of the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, guests were able to talk to some of the companies who have developed products and services through working with WMG, these included Hospitality Umbrellas Ltd, the MAN Group and Mayridge Group Ltd. The BBQ, which guests enjoyed, was cooked on the Grillstream product that has previously received support from WMG and MAS.

Steve Gaston, Business Development Director at the MAN Group said:

“We were delighted to attend the event to showcase the work we do. WMG has helped a number of the organisations in the MAN group develop new products and processes and we have seen growth as a result.”

Santander Corporate & Commercial sponsored the event and a key note speech was given by Dr Richard Hutchins, Director of JLR Programmes at WMG who sits on the board of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership as well as the new WMG Academy for Young Engineers.

Sukhjeeven Nat, Relationship Director at Santander Corporate & Commercial said:

“It was great to support this event. With some of the most innovative local manufacturers in attendance, it was a great opportunity to share and celebrate some of the dedicated support available to companies in the region. We are committed to work in partnership with organisations like WMG to help businesses reach their growth ambitions.”