SMMT Supply Chain Membership Survey

Survey of 112 supply chain members of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on the state of the UK supply chain sector, their attitudes towards investment, and their export plans

A new poll of SMMT supply chain (Automotive Components Section) members highlights their positive perceptions on the health of the sector, although a few challenges are also cited:

SMMT supply chain members appear to be optimistic about the state of the UK automotive supply chain. Half (51%) of SMMT supply chain members surveyed say they think the state of the UK automotive supply chain has improved in the past three years. Four in five (78%) say that they feel positive about their business’s prospects over the next three years.
Around seven in ten (68%) SMMT supply chain members say that their business plans to expand its UK-based workforce over the next three years.
A majority of SMMT supply chain members select external factors, including exchange rate fluctuations (62%) or competition from overseas suppliers (58%) as those that are likely to impede their company’s ability to invest or grow over the next three years.
Two in five (41%) supply chain members report the availability of skilled workers/apprentices/graduates as a limiting factor.
Among SMMT supply chain members who export, a majority say they export to Western Europe (88%), North America (54%) and Eastern Europe (53%).
SMMT supply chain members are most likely to say that they will look to identify export opportunities in Western Europe (44%) over the next three years.

Date Published: 07/06/2016

Client: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)