Supply Chain Transition Programme

The Investment Zone (IZ) Supply Chain Transition Programme, delivered by the Supply Smarter West Midlands Consortium and listed via Business Growth West Midlands, helps West Midlands manufacturing SMEs innovate and develop new products to supply key customers in priority clusters identified in the West Midlands Growth Plan, including energy solutions, aerospace, and electric light vehicle and battery manufacturing. It is funded through the West Midlands Investment Zone programme. Support includes specialist 1:1 support to generate a focused action plan, help with research and development grant applications, a programme of accredited Level 4 and 5 training aligned to the business's action plan, risk analysis and mitigation planning, support to enhance management and board capability, mentoring, opportunities to connect with buyers and key customers, and peer-to-peer learning. Delivery partners include C&W Business Solutions (lead), the Manufacturing Technology Centre, WMG at the University of Warwick, Birmingham City University, Coventry University and the University of Wolverhampton, drawing on their expertise across advanced manufacturing research, development, innovation and training.

Open to manufacturing SMEs operating within Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwick council areas, diversifying into or supplying the programme's priority supply chain clusters.