LDV suppliers offered help by Accelerate

Accelerate, which has been heavily involved in delivering the MG Rover and Peugeot responses, believes that around 100 regional component firms will have lost business and suffered further disruption after the recent administration announcement. Working in partnership with the multi-agency LDV Taskforce, Accelerate has launched a dedicated supplier hotline (0121 607 0123) to offer help in contacting the administrators, understanding ownership of tools and components, along with access to local and national automotive business support funds and specialised legal and HR advice. It has also promised to use its industry influence to liaise with administrators PwC on ascertaining ownership of tooling and unused stock currently held at Washwood Heath. This in itself could add up to in excess of £1 million of components. "This is a service dedicated to LDV component suppliers and we will have three specialist advisers on hand to immediately address concerns and issues going forward," explained Rachel Eade, operations manager for Accelerate. "The hotline will be the first port of call and from there we can work with companies to access complete strategic reviews and planning, financial restructuring, operational improvements and even start looking at diversification through new markets and products." Funded by Advantage West Midlands, Accelerate will host the next supplier communications event with PwC, Grant Thornton and EEF on 30 June at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce (contact reade@accelerate.uk.net to book your place). This event will obviously look at answering immediate questions about stock and tooling at LDV, but will also cover other issues affecting the automotive industry in a bid to inform future support and assistance. Led by Birmingham City Council, the LDV Taskforce includes Jobcentre Plus, Advantage West Midlands, The Learning and Skills Council, Accelerate and neighbouring local authorities.