Accelerate speed up help for suppliers hit by LDV collapse

Jun 18 2009 by John Cranage, Birmingham Post

A support service has been set up for West Midland automotive supply companies hit by the collapse of vanmaker LDV.

Accelerate, the supply chain support organisation, believes about 100 companies in the region have lost business and suffered disruption after the Washwood Heath manufacturer went into administration on June 8.

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 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on ascertaining the ownership of more than £1 million-worth of tooling and unused stock currently held at LDV’s Washwood Heath HQ.

Accelerate operations manager Rachel Eade said: “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.”

n Accelerate will host a meeting for suppliers at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry on June 30. Contact reade@accelerate.uk.net to book a place.