Meet the speakers: In conversation with... Paul Adams, head of aerospace and defence, Vendigital

Paul Adams is head of aerospace and defence at Vendigital and is presenting ‘Additive, Brexit and Aerospace Supply Chains’ at Subcon at 11:30 on Thursday 8 June at Subcon. 

Please sum up your conference session in one sentence

Advancing low-cost competition is disrupting global supply chains and investment in 3D printing and other novel manufacturing technology has become mission critical for manufacturers in the aerospace and automotive sectors, but a clear investment strategy is essential.

What practical tips will visitors pick up from your presentation?  

How to take a more strategic approach to manufacturing technology. Understanding the risks associated with additive manufacturing; learning how to equip supply chains to cope with faster production methods and how to bring on capability quickly and securely.

What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry this year?

Looking beyond the revenue streams provided by long term production programmes and facing the growing competition from low-cost territories which is disrupting global supply chains – will UK or European manufacturers lose ground?

And the biggest opportunity?

Learning how to leverage technological advances and supply chain relationships to the full in order to differentiate our offering and build on the UK’s position of manufacturing strength.

Is leaving the EU good or bad for UK manufacturing?

Brexit could mark the end of zero-tariff trading in Europe and this is cause for concern particularly for the many UK suppliers to Airbus. But there is much that can be done to ensure UK-based manufacturers stay on course and limit their exposure to financial risk.

Do you think the industry will suffer if leaving the EU restricts free movement of labour?

Access to skilled labour is vital to the survival of the UK’s high-value manufacturing sector. Employers must have assurances that they will be able to keep existing EU workers on their books and they will continue to have access to a pan-European talent pool in the future.

If you were in Government, what would you do to encourage more women and young people to work in the engineering and manufacturing industries?

Make sure there are plenty of rewarding career paths for them. Give early opportunities to lead and provide the flexibility that young people expect from a career in the 21^st century.

What are you most looking forward to about Subcon 2017?

Sharing views about the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s manufacturing sector at a time of significant global geopolitical uncertainty.

Paul Adams is head of aerospace and defence at Vendigital and is presenting ‘Additive, Brexit and Aerospace Supply Chains’ at Subcon at 11:30 on Thursday 8 June at Subcon. Register for your free ticket now at www.subconshow.co.uk