RDM Group to continue to access Growth Hub support after Brexit
A Coventry-based technology company will continue to seek valuable Brexit advice – even after the UK’s departure from the European Union is confirmed.
RDM Group, which is based in Bilton Industrial Estate, supplies premium products and engineering services to the automotive industry.
The company, which also has offices in Australia, Canada and the US, trades goods within the European Union Customs Union and is keen to find out how its operations will be impacted by Brexit.
With the March 29 deadline being extended to October 31 and parliament’s failure to pass a renegotiated deal, a so-called “flextension” was granted by the EU and the date was pushed back to January 31, 2020.
Any further extensions to this date now appear unlikely following the vote on December 20, 2019, which saw parliament pass the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill.
Even after the UK leaves the EU, RDM Group intends to remain in close contact with the CWLEP Growth Hub, which is working closely with the Cities and Local Growth Unit at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to understand its impact on business.
Tim Lyons, Chief Operations Officer at the RDM Group, said: “We have been preparing for Brexit ever since the referendum was announced in 2015.
“We have been putting mechanisms in place that aim to guard against the adverse effect of Brexit, such as mitigating against currency fluctuations by dealing in local currency, establishing an EORI number and appointing a Customs Agent.”
RDM Group supplies parts to some of the most high-profile car manufacturers in the UK, including Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and Bentley.
Tim said: “All of the cars that they produce are comprised with parts which are manufactured all over the world. Until the terms of the UK’s withdrawal are finalised, we will have to monitor the situation closely.
“We also employ people from across the European Union. The uncertainty is definitely of huge interest to all of us. Like all businesses in the region, we have many questions about Brexit.
“Going forward, we will continue to seek advice from the CWLEP Growth Hub.”
Craig Humphrey, Managing Director, CWLEP Growth Hub, said: “The West Midlands is a centre of excellence for the automotive industry and businesses such as RDM Group are central to its success.
“While the terms of the UK’s departure from the European Union remain to be seen, the CWLEP Growth Hub is providing guidance on both the short-term and long-term implications of Brexit to businesses across the region.
“We are committed to making businesses such as RDM Group as resilient as possible so not only are they are prepared to navigate any potential headwinds after the UK leaves the EU, but they are also in a position to flourish.
