West Midlands

Fed up with hearing ‘we don’t make anything in the UK anymore’? 

..in fact we remain the 6th or 7th largest manufacturing economy in the world (depending on how you count it) and here in the West Midlands, our exports remain dominated by advanced engineering, automotive and minerals/metals manufacture.

What’s perhaps less well known is that our economy is diversifying in a very interesting direction.  The region is probably the world leader in the manufacture of Serious Games - and I use the word ‘manufacture’ deliberately. To plagiarise a famous quote from Star Trek ‘it’s manufacturing Jim but not as we know it’.

In fact, here in the West Midlands, we’re leading the way right across the creative spectrum, and especially in innovation and design of all things digital.  This came home to me recently when UKTI, Birmingham Chamber and Screen West Midlands gathered a crowd of 50+ at Fazeley Studio in Digbeth for a presentation on the US music and digital festival South by South West 2011.  Not bad considering the weather that evening as well as the Blues-Villa semi final just around the corner!

Anybody under 50 will know South by South West as an iconic rock/pop festival in Austin, Texas that launched the careers of artists as diverse Amy Winehouse, James Blunt, Paolo Nutini and Jamie Cullum - just some of the contributors to the £2 billion exports from the UK generated annually by the music industry.

But although South by South West cut its teeth as a music event, it is now just as well-known for the world-leading digital/media show that runs alongside the festival.  Last year over 40 UK companies attended and won business.

As ever there’s going to be a big West Midlands presence at South by South West and we’re waiting to hear where our businesses will feature - perhaps as panellists, showcases or premieres across all aspects of Show. You’ve got until 17th December to get an application to Alison Hawkins at the Birmingham Chamber if you are interested in being involved!  a.hawkins@birminghamchamber.org.uk

So let’s stop saying we don’t make or create things any more.  Instead, let us be proud of our traditional manufacturing industries that are still at the cutting edge of technology and still exporting all over the world.

But also let us be equally proud of the new ‘manufacturing’ in creative industries in the region that are expanding rapidly and taking their place on the world stage.

Sitting proudly at the heart of the UK, the West Midlands Region is the best-connected, most complete location for business success. 

Whether you seek a location for growth, new markets or suppliers, our unique region could be your business opportunity.

From life-changing inventions to global brands, from talented individuals to world-beating companies, this is an inspiring region with ambition and vision.

If you'd like to speak to a sector specialist about the West Midlands Region as a potential location for your business, call the Inward Investment Team at Advantage West Midlands on +44 (0) 121 380 3500.

For further information please visit www.thewestmidlandsregion.co.uk

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