North East Automotive Alliance makes appointment to get digital focus in gear

An organisation working to drive up vehicle sector success has bolstered its offer with a senior appointment.

The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) has welcomed Mike Matthews as chair of a new digitalisation working group.

An NEAA co-founder and former vice-president, Mike will oversee work to strengthen digitisation and business sustainability across automotive operators.

Members of the group – Adient, Kasai, Marelli, NBT Group, Nissan and Unipres – have undergone digital maturity assessments from Hitachi Vantara to ensure they have a clear path towards the factory of the future.

Former Nifco UK managing director Mike [pictured, above, right] said: “Having travelled locally, nationally and globally, I recognised the massive difference in results in digitally capable businesses compared with those who were not.

“China, India, the US and certain sectors in Europe were all embracing digital, and the results were becoming obvious to see.

“Digital really does achieve its greatest results when it sits on a foundation of great manufacturing practices, great maintenance, great equipment, great skills, great engineering and great attitudes – something we have in abundance here in the North East.”

Paul Butler, NEAA chief executive [pictured, above, left], added: “The North East automotive sector is a beacon of productivity.

“And our aim is to drive longer term ambitions of a factory of the future, where plants are connected and factories are data-rich with fully integrated, transparent supply chains and highly automated smart machinery, which can self-diagnose and quickly adapt to change.”