Automotive supply chain investment

can bring through automation and fabrication at scale.”

Demand for the new SUV is showing no signs of slowing so there is the potential for additional investment in the future. “The Bulgarian factory is ideally placed to satisfy the demands of the Eastern European OEMs,” Cox concluded. “With hand-to-mouth delivery, being on their doorstep – or at least in the same neighbourhood – removes many of the logistical hurdles. And from a technological standpoint, investment like this, and in wider capabilities such as spot-welding for back frames, puts us in a perfect position to satisfy a huge array of OEM demands.”

The investment in its Bulgarian facility cements the company’s commitment to its customers and Eastern European operations. Indeed, the plant is already being asked to investigate newer seating variants, with its customers being confident that William Hughes can quickly ramp up and scale production to cater for any demand level – now and in the future.

8 wmhughes.co.uk

UK industry is facing a major tipping point when it comes to the electrification race according to one of the sector’s leading figures.

Carl Perrin, CEO of the Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility at Coventry University, is adamant that we need sustained investment in ensuring domestic firms can commercialise the emerging technologies they are developing, not to mention supporting SMEs to make the skills transition to electrification roles.

“The UK is doing so well in developing some of the early technologies that will be supporting the EV race, but we face a real tipping point,” he said.