The West Midlands is known for its diverse food & drink industry from Birmingham’s “Balti Belt” to Herefordshire’s cider industry and the fruit and vegetable production of Staffordshire and the Vale of Evesham.

These suppliers, producers and farmers are responsible for around 9% of food and drink output for the country. Our products and produce are of the highest quality with exports of meat, poultry, vegetables and dairy delivered throughout the UK, Europe and the World.

Sector Strengths:

• Our central location is ideal for food logistics and distribution – all the major food retailers have distribution centres in the West Midlands.
• We are home to globally recognised local and international brands such as Cadbury, Bass, Muller, Florette, Groupe Danone, Sun Valley, Heinz, Nestle and PepsiCo.
• One of the focal points of the British brewing industry lies in Burton-on-Trent
• We are leaders in the production of multicultural cuisine with more than 130 manufacturers producing Chinese, Indian and Afro-Caribbean food (source: Food & Drink Report Feb 2003, PERA)
• The region is a nationally recognised centre for the manufacture of dairy products, leaders in secondary meat processing operations, fruit processing and bakery processors. (Source: West Midlands Food & Drink Cluster Baseline & SWOT Analysis)
• We have a dedicated food park, Shrewsbury Food Enterprise Park
• There are a variety of major research centres including ADAS Research, the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA) and close links with CCFRA on the border of our region
• The largest team of horticultural R&D scientists in the world, are based at the Warwickshire Horticultural Research International (HRI)

The West Midlands’ environmental technologies sector is rapidly growing, with a wide range of manufacturing capability, technology companies, equipment suppliers and service providers. Our large manufacturing base means we can supply manufacturing components into a growing market place.

Sector Strengths:

• The West Midlands is a strong regional market for environmental products and services coupled with strong relevant academic R&D. For example Coventry’s Centre for Environmental Research and Consultancy offers a range of experimental and analytical laboratories, including dedicated gamma spectrometry and mineral magnetic laboratories.
• We have a well developed supply chain service and emerging environment technology markets such as wind energy and resource recycling
• There is a strong presence in niche technologies such as CHP, gasification and biomass, coupled with a well developed farming sector capable of supporting a fuel supply chain
• A significant number of leading environmental technology companies are established and successful in the region such as Severn Trent, Haden Drysys and Jones & Atwood
• The Environmental Business Action programme helps environmental companies develop new technologies and expand
• The University of Birmingham, Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, is the UK’s top centre for air pollution research, and has been involved in research for central government

Birmingham is home to the largest concentration of Business & Professional Services firms outside London and the South East. According to the Annual Labour Force Survey, Business & Professional Services firms employed over 90,000 people in Birmingham in 2002. This puts Birmingham well ahead of many other provincial service centres.

The Business & Professional Services sector is expanding within the West Midlands. Traditionally, major Business & Professional Services firms have retained main offices in London, supported by a regional office network. Regional firms have tended to be smaller, serving local markets. This pattern is changing. A number of regional firms have established an excellent track record of competing on national and international platforms, without the need to have a main office in London. Rising costs, transport difficulties and quality of life considerations are leading to a number of firms moving out of the capital. Many are making the move to the West Midlands region.

Sector Strengths:

• The first British-based Islamic bank has its headquarters in Birmingham
• In Birmingham alone the sector currently employs over 90,000 people, and is projected to increase by over 20,000 jobs in the next 10 years (Source: BEIC Economic Review 2002)
• Two of the top five UK Business schools, Aston University and Warwick University are based in the Region (Source: The Times Good University Guide)
• A recent benchmarking study by IBM Consulting and Oxford Intelligence compares Birmingham very favorably to alternative locations and in terms of shared service centers and is in the “highest quality” group of European cities
• A new organisation, finest, has been recently launched to act as a gateway to professional services organisations in the North Staffordshire area

Building technologies remains at the heart of the regional economy, and our position at the centre of the country’s supply and production industries enables us to deliver a world-class service. The West Midlands operations today aim to make the connection between a heritage of manufacturing excellence and the future demands of high technologies creating an thriving and innovative sector.

Sector Strengths:

• Building Technologies companies in the West Midlands generate a turnover of £6.7 billion per annum and employ over 260,000 people in the region (source: experian)
• We have world class design, manufacturing and engineering strengths for building materials and solutions through collaborations with RAPRAand CERAM
• Stourbridge College’s Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) is one of the most innovative technical training facilities within Europe
• The Centre for the Built Environment, Birmingham and Solihull, will bridge skills gap while enabling the local community to take advantage of the opportunities created by massive building projects, such as Eastside
• We are leading the way in the uptake of sustainable building materials, products and practices such as ’The Green Futures Sustainable Development’ scheme

Being at the very core of the physical and social regeneration of the West Midlands, Building Technologies is rapidly transforming into a dynamic provider of the manufactured built environments.

We have a wealth of talent in the region. The West Midlands labour force is renowned for being experienced, dynamic and, above all, hard working. We have a resourceful and skilled workforce of 2.6 million people employed across a range of sectors throughout the region. With a range of academic, vocational, sector specialised, on-the-job training and educational opportunities, we have a true commitment to maintaining and developing the highly skilled workforce that contributes so much to the region’s commercial calibre.

Look at some of the evidence.

• The West Midlands labour force of 2.6 million is projected to grow to 2.7 million by 2006.
• Managers, professionals and technical staff account for 37% of the region’s skills base.
• Skills are spread across a wide range of sectors, such as manufacturing (460,000 employees), business and professional services (371,000 employees) and ICT (74,000).
• 67% of companies have employees with language skills.
• There are a host of multi-lingual centres in the area including Capita, Elf Aquitaine, Fedex, Forte Reservations PwC and RAC.
• Each year, 41,000 students benefit from one-year work placements in the region with over half of these students choosing to remain in the region for employment upon graduation.
• The University of Warwick operates the KITTS scheme, which enables regional businesses to draw on University talent to solve particular business problems at a subsidised rate.
• The average weekly wage in the West Midlands is £355.85 and staff costs are typically a third cheaper than in Greater London.

Our workforce possesses advanced skills across all sectors ranging from traditional manufacturing practices to design-led or professional services capabilities. Our rich and varied skills base forms the backbone to the region’s productive industry and fertile economy.

The West Midlands is a place where innovation comes naturally. Real commitment to Research & Development is key to bringing fresh ideas to life.

As the latest technology becomes more integral to the core of business’ success, it is reassuring to know pioneering work is taking place throughout the region.

We have a strong infrastructure in place that encourages ingenuity in business practices through a network of R&D, knowledge transfer and collaboration. Strategic locations in our region, such as technology corridors provide opportunities for companies striving to push the boundaries of inventiveness. Our centres of excellence, key industries, science and technology parks and leading universities further assist businesses.

Just look at the facts.

• We have a number of world class research organisations including QinetiQ (electronics), MIRA (automotive industry), RAPRA (rubber and plastics) and CERAM (ceramics).
• With over 500,000 students in full or part time education and some of the UK’s most prestigious universities and research centres, we are a learning region. Our educational institutions have strong links with regional, national and international business.
• The Universities of Aston, Birmingham, Coventry, Keele, Staffordshire, Warwick and Wolverhampton all have Science Parks with facilities to transfer academic expertise to industry and commerce.
• The Warwick Manufacturing Group provides post-experience education and industrially relevant research and development in collaboration with over 40 UK and international companies.
• Aston Business School was the first, and currently the only UK business school to be accredited by EQUIS (the European Quality Improvement System) and has close links with industry, commerce and the public sector in the UK and abroad.
• The University of Birmingham has R&D links with companies including British Aerospace, Ford, IBM, Kodak Ltd, London Underground Limited, the Ministry of Defence and Rhone Poulenc.

The West Midlands is renowned for its impressive track record of exporting innovative and unique products to European consumers. What would the “Italian Job” have been without the West Midlands’ Mini?

It’s a fact. Our ideas travel. And generate further opportunities. In fact, our region’s position as a key player in Europe means that we have become a premier location with European investors, many having chosen to base some, if not all, of their operations in the region.

This is a region with exceptional links to the continent. And beyond.

• The West Midlands is a major exporting region, accounting for 8% of the UK’s total value of exports.
• Over 2,100 overseas companies from 40 different countries are located in the West Midlands and employ around a quarter of a million workers.
• There are 20,000 European students attending higher education courses at one of our universities.
• There are 78,594 European nationals living, working and studying in the region.
• Almost 2,000 exporters to EU are located in the region accounting for £1.8 million in worth of exports.
• There are 2590 European Language students at our universities.
• European Companies such as Muller, Danone and Peugeot are based in our region.
• Birmingham ranks higher than Rome and Prague for quality of life in Europe.
• While manufacturing remains a key regional strength our Consumer Products such as quality leather goods and ICT industry also compete well in Europe.

This is a future-facing region with a vital role to play in the enlarged European business community. To this end, there are four information centres in Sweden, Brussels, France and Germany (PDF File – 41.8 KB) which offer advice to businesses looking to move to our region.

A wealth of support is available to local business throughout the region.

Business is all about having the right contacts; the right suppliers, the right clients, the right advice. It all has an impact on overall success. The West Midlands Region has a network of funding and support expertise aimed at getting the best possible results from your business.

For each of your own business’ needs there are targeted advice, support and investment opportunities in our region, each designed to advance entrepreneurial excellence.

Our region is one that fosters and nurtures entrepreneurial excellence. Just take a look at some of the international companies based here, such as Cadbury, Jaguar and IBM. We have a proven track-record in striving to accelerate the success of all our businesses of all sizes operating in all sectors. The West Midland business support and funding networks offer tailored advisory and support services suited to maximising the potential of our innovative business community.

The West Midlands is full of opportunity. And full of surprises. The facts speak volumes and demonstrate that it’s the premier location for industry and commerce in the United Kingdom.

Strategically, it is ideally placed for access to UK, Europe and the world markets. Our booming commercial property market offers cutting-edge but cost-effective options that range from traditional office spaces to 21st century business and science parks.

The added bonus comes in the shape of special development locations within the Region. These designated areas offer businesses in all sectors, particularly high technology companies, targeted business support and investment opportunities.

It all adds up to a very convincing offer.

• Unrivalled range of business accommodation available in city, urban and rural locations
• Birmingham, the UK’s second city, has prime office space that is up to 40% cheaper than London
• The West Midlands Region is only 180 kilometres north-west of London
• The West Midlands is at the epicentre of transport networks and has more motorways than anywhere in the UK. 75% of the country is within a five hour drive
• There are 8 cutting edge science parks in the West Midlands Region that offer high-tech facilities to innovative and inventive businesses of all sizes
• Extensive, highly developed business support and supply chain networks

The West Midlands Region has an established business track record thanks to its central location giving quick and easy access to home and overseas markets. Our location is ideal for sustaining and inspiring the diverse business community. In short, it’s a great place to do business and to live.

No other UK city or region compares for the strength of our infrastructure. The West Midlands Region is truly at the heart of the nation.

A strong region is founded on strong infrastructure. This means not only good transport, communications and business networks but also the insight to know how to turn this into a commercial advantage. Our position at the core of transport, communications and business networks is what makes us the most well-connected region in the UK.

The West Midlands Region is an easily accessible region thanks to our excellent road, rail and air links. This combined with a cutting-edge communications infrastructure has produced an environment that delivers entrepreneurial excellence. Centrally located, the region’s infrastructure and support networks maintain its position as the commercial, as well as geographic, centre of the UK.