IOM3 FOCUSES ON MOTORSPORTS AND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

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IOM3 FOCUSES ON MOTORSPORTS AND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
31 July 2002 - Corus Automotive

For the first time, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining’s annual Steel Division conference will focus on a specific industry sector, presenting delegates with an insight into the issues that will determine the future of steel and other materials in the motorsports and automotive industry.

Sponsored by Corus, the Institute will hold its two-day conference at the Belfry, Wishaw, near Birmingham, on the 16th and 17th September 2002. Under the general theme ‘The Automotive Industry in the future – the role of UK steel’, the conference will aim to address issues such as market drivers, technological advances in steel, the challenge of competitive materials, the environment, safety and globalisation.

Commenting on the innovative role played by materials in helping vehicle manufactures to find solutions that meet often conflicting environmental and safety requirements, Professor Jon King, director, Corus Automotive, said: “Material developments are of vital importance to manufacturers, whether building a one-off Le Mans winner or one million family-sized cars for the global vehicle market. With more rapid developments than any other industry, including aerospace and IT; with the consumption of materials arising from global production of more than 50 million vehicles a year; and with 350 million viewers regularly watching every F1 race encouraging even faster developments, we felt it important that the conference this year should concentrate on this vital sector of the economy.'

Professor King added: “Therefore the conference will show how the latest materials and process technologies can play a major role in helping the automotive industry meet the continuing need to reduce vehicle weight, emissions and fuel consumption without compromising safety.”

Garel Rhys, director, Centre for Automotive Research, Cardiff, will give the opening address and heads a list of leading industry experts that includes Michael Baunton, president, Perkins Engines and forthcoming president of SMMT, Graham Bell, director of marketing and planning, Delphi Europe and Chris Hollick, executive director Corus Group plc, who will be giving a keynote perspective on the steel industry. In addition, Chris Aylett chief executive of the Motorsport Industry Association will give delegates an overview on the particular challenges facing the UK motorsport industry.

The conference will comprise of six sessions focusing on: motorsport; market drivers affecting the use of steel in automotive applications; design and the challenges of competitive materials; processing technology including the latest in hydroforming; supply chain issues; and finally a discussion session where delegates will have the opportunity to put questions to a panel of experts.

A full social programme will accompany the technical proceedings, including a formal conference dinner on the evening of 16th September where Stuart Pettifor, executive director, Corus Group plc will be the principle guest speaker.

About: Corus Automotive
Corus is one of the leading suppliers of steel products, services and technology to the automotive industry. A broad range of Corus steel from strip, engineering steels, special strip and tubes are used to make products that go into automotive applications including body-in-white, closures, chassis and suspension systems, powertrain, seats, safety systems and other components. Corus is committed to the global automotive industry, and, uniquely, combines its materials and vehicle engineering knowledge to respond cost-effectively to key drivers of importance to the sector, such as safety, fuel-efficiency, innovation and the environment. The Company actively supports supply chain initiatives that improve efficiency and enhance the value of steel used in automotive applications.

Corus Group Plc is one of the world's largest metal producers with an annual turnover of £8 billion and major operating facilities in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway and Belgium. Corus' four divisions comprising Strip Products, Long Products, Distribution & Building Systems and Aluminium provide innovative solutions to the construction, automotive, packaging, mechanical engineering and other markets worldwide. Corus has 48,500 employees in over 40 countries and sales offices and service centres worldwide. Combining international expertise with local customer service, the Corus brand represents quality and strength.

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