During the past few years, the trend to outsourcing has developed into a tidal wave. It is a well known fact that OEMs are scaling down the number of suppliers they want to deal with, while at the same time demanding more from them. This trend, though, is not confined to component suppliers. In order to cope with ever increasing demands to meet tougher emissions and fuel consumption figures as well as help in the design and manufacturing processes, OEMs are turning to outside consultancies. As a result, there has been an explosion in the number of engineering consultancies, design houses and technical centres around the world. The UK, though, is especially rich in such independent companies. In part it is a reflection of its status as the home of motor racing: a good many of these businesses have their roots in the motor sport world, even if some are now leaving that arena behind them to a certain extent.
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