A recent report by the House of Lords European Union Committee has called for the development of a policy framework, within the EU, aimed at tackling the issue of food waste. One of the key recommendations picked up in the media, was the issue of incentives and promotions such as ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ (known as BOGOF) deals. The report suggested that actions such as BOGOFs can pass food waste on to the consumer and encourage them to buy in larger volumes than required, and has proposed that such tactics should end.

This recommendation has been supported by Professor Jan Godsell, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy at WMG, who has told the Birmingham Post that BOGOF offers ultimately don’t benefit customers, even though they appear to be good value at the time.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced that they are to fund a new Chair (Professor) in WMG at the University of Warwick as a key element in their strategic relationship with WMG.

The new Chair is not expected to be a lone appointment, they will lead a new team which will achieve international research leadership in simulation support of the vital complex hybrid and battery electric component and systems innovation, so essential to enable JLR to embrace and robustly deploy these new vehicle technologies and continue to successfully compete in the automotive sector into the Low Carbon future.

WMG Director has given an extensive interview to the Financial Times Manufacturing Editor Peter Marsh calling on the Government to create a new Bank to back manufacturing. He said the new institution was needed to establish a “change of culture” towards manufacturing businesses by conventional banks which he accused of being too “short-term” in their approach.

Ford Motor Company has announced the sale of UK brands Jaguar and Land Rover to Indian company Tata Group.

WMG has worked with both companies on research and development for many years and the director, Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, had this comment: "This is excellent news for Tata, for Ford and for Jaguar Land Rover. It is excellent news for the motor industry and for the West Midlands region. Tata has accepted the business plan for the two brands and there will be no closures of UK plants. These iconic cars are in safe hands with Tata which has proved its capacity for running businesses in the UK with its acquisition of Corus steel. It is a win-win situation for everyone."

He added: "We have worked with both Jaguar Land Rover and Tata for many years and we hope to do so for many years to come. The company will continue to develop the brands and invest in new technology and, as our primary interest is in enhancing the competitiveness of UK manufacturing, we hope to be able to help them do that through world-class research and education."

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Tata press release: http://www.tata.com/tata_motors/releases/20080326.htm

Ford press release: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=27953

BBC online: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7313380.stm

Birmingham Post: Tata means a better future, says Lord Bhattacharyya