Meet the speakers: In Conversation With…Dave Atkinson

Dave Atkinson is UK Head of Manufacturing, SME Banking at Lloyds Bank Commercial. He is presenting ‘Supply chain challenges and opportunities’ at 2pm on Tuesday 6 June. 

What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry this year?
There are a few challenges facing the sector at this time but our recent Business in Britain report showed that economic uncertainty and weaker demand are the greatest threats for the year ahead. Coupled with this is the uncertainty around our future trading relationship with the EU and pricier imports as a result of the weaker pound.

And the biggest opportunity?
Some manufacturers are taking the opportunity to review their international trade strategies and look beyond the EU, especially taking advantage in the short term of the devaluation of sterling making our exports more competitive. 

Is leaving the EU good or bad for UK manufacturing?
There is no one answer to this as it will depend on so many factors – for example it will depend on how much you export, where you biggest markets are and where demand will come from in the future. 

Do you think the industry will suffer if leaving the EU restricts free movement of labour?
The manufacturing industry has always shown resilience in times of change. While we don’t know all the details yet, I have no doubt that the sector will adapt accordingly so that any impact is managed carefully. 

Do you think the Apprentice Levy is a good thing?
Apprenticeships have a vital role to play in securing the skills businesses need to drive productivity and growth while also ensuring young people are given every opportunity to develop a fulfilling and rewarding career. It’s important that the Apprenticeship Levy builds on this by supporting manufacturers’ training ambitions and offering valuable and aspirational roles as shown in our recent report with the EEF. We have committed £1m a year, over five years to support the Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry, supporting over 1,000 apprentices, graduates & trainees to help address the skills gap in the sector.

If you were in Government, what would you do to encourage more women and young people to work in the engineering and manufacturing industries?
Eliminating stereotypes remains a vital part of the process which can hold people back. The sector is heading in the right direction with more female representation on senior boards and the drive for better apprenticeships, however more can be done. The onus remains on the industry to create a more diverse workforce and showcase inspirational role models. This will help eliminate old stereotypes, and provide evidence of what women and young people can achieve by pursuing their ambitions. 

What are your thoughts on Industry 4.0?
Manufacturing is a constantly evolving industry. From investments in technology, automation and digitisation through to improvements in productivity and products, the sector never rests on its laurels. But I believe it could do more to gear up to the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0. Creating awareness of opportunities and just what it actually means will help generate enthusiasm and action.

While the understanding of Industry 4.0 is improving, it is still relatively low – almost three quarters of the industry don’t understand what the term really means for them. Firms are working towards the same goals by investing in automation, robotics and other new technologies and manufacturing processes such as 3D printing. Many businesses, particularly SMEs, don’t have the time or experience to get their business ready for smart factories and some new technology. They risk falling behind but getting expert advice and encouraging them to explore opportunities can help.

Don't miss Dave's session - and 35 other first class presentations at this year's Subcon conference delivered by The Engineer and The Manufacturer. Register now for your free pass at the Subcon website.  

Meet the Subcon speakers: In Conversation With… Sid Shaikh

Sid Shaikh is Engineering R&D Manager at Ocado. He will present ‘The disruptive technologies behind Ocado’s retail success’ at 2pm on Tuesday 6 June.

Please sum up your conference session in one sentence

If you took a production line and scaled it to size of a several football pitches, what engineering challenges do you think you would face? 

What practical tips will visitors pick up from your presentation? 

An insight into the future of the logistics industry and the challenges of designing, building and maintaining big automation and robotics projects.

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

For me, the biggest challenge is the engineering skills gap in the UK. There is a growing shortage of experience for intermediate and senior level engineers in the industry. 

And the biggest opportunity? 

The UK is a hub for engineering excellence, design and innovation. We have the potential to dramatically boost productivity and improve efficiency by using robotics across a wide range of industries.

Is leaving the EU good or bad for UK manufacturing? 

It is very dependent on the strength of the pound but we will understand the true impact in the coming months and years. 

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

Yes 

Do you think the Apprentice Levy is a good thing? 

There is a feeling in the industry that the stipulation to spend at least 20% of the time on off-the-job training is too high and not aligned with modern blended learning practices 

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

I believe we should introduce engineering qualifications earlier in the education process, create targeted promotion and incentives for women and young people to take the Engineering GCSE, and create a culture that is more welcoming to new starters that are keen to learn.

What are your thoughts on Industry 4.0? 

We are building the smart factories of the future; therefore, Industry 4.0 is core to our solution. There is a massive opportunity for companies combining robotics, AI, the cloud and IoT to become leaders in their respective industries and disrupt existing markets and business models.

What are you most looking forward to about Subcon 2017? 

The conference is a chance to understand new and emerging trends and identify new suppliers that share our commitment to deliver innovative technologies and products for the retail sector.

Don't miss Sid's session - and 35 other first class presentations at this year's Subcon conference delivered by The Engineer and The Manufacturer. Register now for your free pass at the Subcon website.  

Fruits of investment on show at Subcon 2017

Exhibitors at Subcon, the UK’s only show dedicated to subcontract manufacturing, will be offering visitors a range of new services and capabilities following recent investments.

Subcon, which runs from 6 to 8 June at the NEC, Birmingham, is the UK’s only event dedicated to outsourced manufacturing. It serves all sectors and all processes – from machining, sheet metalworking, casting and forging, to plastic moulding, composites and electronics.

This range of manufacturing technologies is reflected in some of the new services and investments being featured at the show.

In fabrication, WEC Group has invested over £11m in equipment and facilities over the last 18 months as the basis for its expansion nationwide, while multi-metal stockholder Kloeckner has just added advanced bending and additional laser cutting capacity to its services.

Precision machining specialist PGT Ceewrite has also invested £11m to completely upgrade its Dorset facility and double its capacity for highly complex wire and spark erosion.

The machining services sector is strongly represented across the show. New services coming on stream include a subcontract CNC cylindrical grinding facility at Perfect Bore and new large-format, heavy-duty machining centres at PRV. PRV has also added a new 5-axis water-jet cutting machine.

Following heavy investment in new technology, specialist subcontract engineering company Mini Gears Group expanded its services so that precision machining accounts for 60% of the business and it will be showcasing its complete new range of machined components at Subcon.

In plastics, a five-year multi-million investment programme at Chess Plastics is nearing completion with the installation of another new Negri Bossi moulder and Meadex has just completed a new clean room suite for plastic and rubber moulding. Hepworth Group has launched a new RIM Moulding Division, which adds an additional manufacturing option to its extensive range of fabrication services.

In other processes, Carlton Die Castings have installed a twin-pallet Mazak machining centre that allows them to supply fully-machined castings ready for assembly. Materials coatings expert NikaWorks has developed a new series of functional coatings for surgical instruments.

Supporting the Subcon show, sourcing specialist Qimtek is sponsoring the VIP Buyer’s Programme and hosting a dedicated Qimtek UK Manufacturing Pavilion.

Subcon runs alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Show and The Engineer Design & Innovation Show from 6 to 8 June 2017 at the NEC Birmingham.

Together the three shows cover the complete manufacturing cycle from concept to component, bringing together design engineering, product development, in-house production and outsourced supply chains.

Over 500 exhibitors will welcome thousands of professional visitors who have current sourcing needs for equipment, software and manufacturing services.

The three shows are complemented by 36 free-to-attend conference presentations in two separate conference streams, bought to you by The Engineer and The Manufacturer.

Find out more about visiting and exhibiting at the three shows at www.subconshow.co.uk , www.advancedmanufacturingshow.co.uk and www.theengineer-designinnovationshow.co.uk .