Automotive Supply Chain Forum and Meet the Buyer drive engagement at Automechanika Birmingham 2025

The event attracted record participation, focusing on future challenges and opportunities within the evolving automotive industry

Automotive Supply Chain Forum and Meet the Buyer drive engagement at Automechanika Birmingham 2025

The Automotive Supply Chain Forum and Meet the Buyer events at Automechanika Birmingham 2025, held in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), saw significant engagement from industry leaders. With over 15,000 visitors attending the show and more than 2,000 at the Forum, it served as a key meeting point for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), tier one suppliers, and buyers. Discussions focused on navigating technological advancements, sustainability demands, and strategic risks.

SMMT’s Meet the Buyer programme, facilitating one-to-one meetings between aftermarket suppliers, OEMs, and tier-one buyers, experienced its busiest iteration yet. Participating brands included BMW, McLaren, Nissan, and Bentley.

Attendees explored practical, future-focused content, including battery innovation, electrification, AI-driven supply chain resilience, and next-generation materials. The Innovation4Mobility stage hosted thought-leadership sessions by organisations such as LKQ Euro Car Parts, Marsh McLennan, and TotalEnergies. Topics ranged from ADAS and autonomous robotics to supply chain localisation and the path to net-zero.

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of SMMT, commented that Automechanika Birmingham is now established as a crucial event for the aftermarket and automotive supply chain in the UK. He highlighted its role in bringing the industry together to share ideas, attract talent, and unlock future opportunities during a period of significant transformation.

The energy at the Forum reflected a collective willingness to embrace change, including regulatory alignment, digitalisation, talent retention, and green manufacturing practices. Joanne Knowles, Event Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, noted the success of the Supply Chain Forum and Meet the Buyer, describing the mood as one of forward-thinking optimism and collaboration.

As the pace of transformation quickens across the mobility landscape, Automechanika Birmingham’s Supply Chain Forum has reinforced its role as a destination for those influencing the future of automotive production and innovation in the UK and globally.

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