Start your engines for the North East Automotive Expo, arriving in Sunderland next month

Make it Sunderland has been confirmed as headline sponsor for a second year, while NELEP is partner sponsor.

As well as excellent networking opportunities and a packed agenda at the Stadium of Light on September 22, delegates will hear keynote speeches from Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover, who between them, account for two thirds of all vehicle output in the UK.

Organisers of the event, industry-led cluster group North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), are now looking for new innovation ideas and technology to be presented during the Technology Showcase, which is being supported by KTN, the UK’s Innovation Network.

NEAA CEO Paul Butler said: “We are delighted to be bringing the expo back for its second year following the success of its inaugural year.

“We are committed to keeping the expo industry focussed and are delighted to be supported by a number of sponsors as well as world-class automotive companies.

“We decided to launch the Technology Showcase this year to enable companies the opportunity to promote their product or process innovation as part of an initiative to support the automotive industry with business prospects.

“We are confident this year’s event will provide even more opportunities for our members, SMEs and the wider automotive sector.

“We have already sold 80% of our exhibition space so we urge companies within the supply chain to secure your space now and also take advantage of the pre-event dinner, sponsored by South Tyneside Council, which will offer further networking opportunities.”

Briggs Equipment will sponsor this year’s Meet the Buyer, which facilitated 140 one-to-one meetings at least year’s event and has already gained commitment from Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, Komatsu, Nifco, Calsonic Kansei, Faurecia and Faltec for 2016.

New for this year is a Technology Showcase giving companies a platform to showcase latest technologies.