A £300,000 cash boost has assisted Worcestershire's car part suppliers accelerate into 2005.

"Accelerate" was established in 1996 to help promote automotive business in the West Midlands and has recently teamed up with the SMMT Industry Forum to launch a new "continuous improvement" specialist centre.

This has assisted 34 local companies in bringing in best practice production systems, the acquisition of state-of-the-art machinery and in providing access to the latest technology and innovation.

"2004 has been a year filled with challenges, with the supply chain surviving the well documented steel crisis, while also having to come to terms with the closure of Brown's Lane and the protracted saga over Land Rover," said Rachel Eade, programme manager.

"However, those suppliers that are still up and running are now commonly regarded as best-in-class and often performing ahead of anything the rest of the world can offer.

"Accelerate's role is to make sure these businesses have the financial and strategic support needed to fly the flag for both the region and the UK."

Managed by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, the initiative uses cash from Advantage West Midlands to offer grants, supply chain improvement projects, and a specialist centre.