Mike Baunton, President of Perkins Engines Company Ltd, has today been announced as the next President of the UK’s automotive industry trade association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). He succeeds Nick Reilly CBE, Chairman of Vauxhall Motors, on 22 July 2002, and will lead the trade association for the next year.
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Commenting on the announcement at the Society’s Annual Test Day at Millbrook Proving Ground, Mike Baunton said, “I am delighted and honoured to take on the influential role as President of SMMT for the coming year. There has never been a more demanding time for the motor industry as it faces the challenges of increased customer expectation, regulatory pressures, and a particularly difficult UK manufacturing environment.
“SMMT has for the last century been the voice of the motor industry and I have the ambition to strengthen its role in helping to make the UK an increasingly important part of the world component and vehicle industry. This is vital at a time when the members of the SMMT are under significant economic and regulatory pressures. We will be seeking ways to help our members expand their businesses and become more competitive, not just in the UK, but on the world stage. Partnership with government is essential, not only in delivering higher levels of engineering and manufacturing skills, but also to encourage more process improvement and cost reduction, and helping to create, in the UK, the most attractive economic and political environment to design, manufacture and sell motor vehicles.
“I want to thank Nick Reilly for his significant contribution and positive role during his term as President, particularly as the motor industry faced significant challenges through new regulation. SMMT has a very strong team led by Chief Executive Christopher Macgowan, and I look forward to working with them during my time in office to continue to provide higher value and enhanced services to the membership.”
Perkins is a supplier of diesel and natural gas engines. Formed in 1932 by Frank Perkins in Peterborough, England, the company has to date built and supplied more than 15 million engines for a range of over 5000 applications. In 1998 Caterpillar Inc acquired the company from Lucas Varity plc.
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