At the Welsh Automotive Forum’s 2024 annual dinner (December 2024), Caerbont Automotive Instruments’ Managing Director Gavin Roberts was honoured with the Garel Rhys Award in recognition of his long-standing drive and enthusiastic support for the automotive sector, especially in Wales.
The Welsh Automotive Forum (WAF) has been Wales’ automotive manufacturing sector trade association since 1999. WAF has built on its core foundations of being the authoritative ‘Voice’ of the automotive sector in Wales, representing members, listening to key issues, challenges and opportunities, as well as promoting the industry whilst working closely with Welsh Government and academia to support the sector and associated supply chains.
Professor Garel Rhys, who passed away in February 2017, was an expert in motor industry economics. During his illustrious career he was chairman of the Welsh Automotive Forum, professor emeritus and president of the Centre of Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University, and an adviser to the Welsh Government on economic and automotive affairs. The WAF’s Garel Rhys Award recognises industry professionals who strive to promote and develop the Welsh automotive sector globally.
Gavin took on the role of Operations Director at Caerbont Automotive Instruments (CAI) in 2004, before heading a company buyout in 2011. As Managing Director, Gavin has overseen the evolution of CAI from supplying replacement Smiths, British Jaeger and other gauges for classic cars and motorcycles, to designing and manufacturing new gauges for specialist high-performance cars, such as the Singer reimagined Porsche 911; crafted motorcycles, including the Langen Lightspeed; luxury boats like the Hermes Speedster; and bespoke projects including instrumentation for the Chimera Aviation Dragon Autogyro. CAI’s expertly engineering gauges are supplied globally from the manufacturing facility in South Wales.
On accepting the award, Gavin Roberts said: “I am both delighted and honoured to accept this inaugural award from the Welsh Automotive Forum in memory of Professor Garel Rhys.
The WAF are an invaluable support and resource to Caerbont Automotive Instruments and its members. We have been involved since the creation of the group and value the counsel of the team and the networking opportunities presented to us through the years with businesses in our peer group.
Thank you for the recognition, which is very much appreciated”
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