Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is expanding its global involvement in the automotive sector with the opening of a new Automotive Competence Centre in the UK.

The centre’s target is to build on the company’s existing automotive business by providing supply chain solutions for a wider cross-section of the UK automotive industry and the 3,000 UK-based tier one and two component suppliers.

Hellmann wants to link carmakers and component manufacturers in the UK with their suppliers and customers in other major automotive markets.

It already has a presence in the automotive sector through its partnership in the Rudolph and Hellmann production-line logistics operation, which has contracts with Rolls Royce, BMW Mini and MG Rover.