Coventry-based Expert Technologies Group has landed a multi-million pound contract with Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze’s Spanish operations to supply automated assembly lines for electric vehicle wiring harnesses. The deal, facilitated by a €1.4 million financing package from NatWest backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), marks the robotics specialist’s first major European project since Brexit and the pandemic. The contract will support up to 10 UK jobs while establishing Expert Technologies in the competitive European EV components market.
Government Backing Enables Export Growth
The UKEF-supported financing arrangement provided critical working capital for Expert Technologies to undertake the complex project for SEBN, a global automotive parts supplier. This represents a strategic expansion for the Midlands manufacturer, which traditionally supplies UK OEMs with robotic assembly systems and specialized automation equipment. The deal demonstrates how British manufacturers can overcome post-Brexit trade challenges through innovative financing solutions.
Strengthening UK’s Automotive Supply Chain
“This contract validates our technological capabilities and opens doors to further European opportunities,” said Expert Technologies CEO Angelo Luciano. The two new automated production lines will manufacture auxiliary wiring harnesses for next-generation electric vehicles, tapping into growing demand as automakers electrify their fleets. The Midlands firm’s success underscores the region’s continued prominence in advanced manufacturing, despite global supply chain pressures.
Banking Partnership Drives International Trade
NatWest’s trade finance team structured the UKEF-backed facility specifically to help Expert Technologies penetrate new markets. “This exemplifies how we support regional manufacturers in scaling internationally,” noted Duncan Ruffle, NatWest’s Trade Finance Director. The financing solution complements previous Innovate UK grants awarded to Expert Technologies for automotive decarbonization projects, creating a comprehensive support package for the firm’s expansion.
Post-Brexit Export Model for Manufacturers
UKEF’s Fiona Begley highlighted the contract as evidence that British manufacturers can still compete globally with appropriate support. The deal establishes a template for Midlands engineering firms to secure European business despite new trade barriers, combining government-backed financing with private sector banking expertise. As automakers rapidly electrify, such cross-border collaborations will become increasingly vital for UK suppliers maintaining their position in evolving global supply chains.
Related Topics: