News Industry Comment Institute calls for strategy on manufacturing
With engineering and manufactur- ing so critical to the UK’s economic recovery, and with many recruiters facing a skills shortage, now is the time to be encouraging youngsters into a career in the sector. New innovations and technology in a constantly changing industry must inevitably lead to some exciting career opportunities. The fact that many school leavers don’t see engineering as a first choice career presents a challenge – for industy experts and institutions of education to collaborate to encourage and inspire youngsters. The Scarborough Engineering Week in October (see below) is one opportunity which is allowing school children to see the benefits of choosing engineering as a career. Now in its third year, over 2,000 schoolchildren are expected to attend the event which is said to be doubling in size each year. Organised by Unison with the help of the regional education business partnership, in conjunction with schools, colleges and engineering companies, it’s a great example of industry and education working together to encourage the engineers of the future.
Heather Ramsden - Editor Events
Sensing Technology 25-26 September, NEC, Birmingham
www.sensingtechnology.co.uk
PPMA 25-27 September, NEC, Birmingham
www.ppmashow.co.uk
Health & Safety North 10-11 October, The Reebok Stadium, Bolton
www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk
Southern Manufacturing 13-14 February 2013, FIVE, Farnborough
www.industry.co.uk
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The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has called on Government to focus on develop- ing a national industrial strategy and to help to provide companies with more capital investment in order to boost UK manufacturing. The recommendations are part of the Institution’s new ‘UK Manufacturing in 2012’ policy statement released to coincide with the announcement of 13 companies shortlisted for this year’s Manufacturing Excellence Awards.
Philippa Oldham, head of manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers said: “Although manufacturing makes up just 12 per cent of the UK economy, the companies short- listed today, which range from businesses making potato boxes to defence systems, demonstrate the variety of talent and skill there is in the sector.
“Just a 10 per cent rise in UK manufacturing exports and corre- sponding drop in imports could bring an extra £45 billion into the UK economy – spearheading the country’s economic recovery. “But in order to do this, Government needs to show lead- ership. Government must priori- tise the development of a cross-party industrial strategy and improve access to funds in order to give industry direction and confidence to invest in UK manufacturing.”
The policy statement makes four key recommendations: • That Government sets out a clear national industrial strategy to provide industry and acade- mia with a framework to deliver growth in the sector.
• That Government and the financial sector work together to deliver greater capital investment in new production plants and
machinery along with training. • Industry, academia and also Government need to support and publicise the work of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills to increase the number of people and the skill levels required to meet the future requirements of manufacturing. • That the new High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre should expand its role across all manufacturing sectors rather than be restricted to its own research programmes.
The 13 companies shortlisted for the Manufacturing Excellence awards are: KAB Seating; Draeger Safety UK; ScotAsh; SKF; H K Timbers; G & H Precision Engineering; FFEI Ltd; Brother Industries; Altro Limited; Hymid Multi-Shot Limited; Accutronics Limited; Building Adhesives Limited and MBDA.
www.imeche.org Dust and fume collection specialist builds new UK facility
Camfil Farr Air Pollution Control (APC), a specialist manufacturer of dust and fume collection equipment, has announced plans to open a 3,716 square metre facility in the UK to serve indus- trial customers throughout the UK and Europe. Work is already underway for the new plant, which is located in the Birch Business Park in Heywood, Greater Manchester, UK. The facility is expected to open in January 2013. When it is
fully operational, Camfil Farr APC expects to employ more than 100 people in engineering, metal fabrication, welding and assembly positions. “We are making a significant investment in the new UK manu- facturing plant to allow us to ser- vice our European customer base more effectively,” said Rick Kreczmer, European sales direc- tor for Camfil Farr APC. “We will be able to supply products fast while still giving customers
exactly what they require for their individual applications: quality dust collection equip- ment, fabricated to their needs and shipped on time.”
www.camfilfarrapc.com
Centre of engineering excellence invests in the future
Over 2,000 schoolchildren are expected to attend Scarborough Engineering Week in October, which aims to encourage young- sters to consider careers in engi- neering. Now in its third year, the
organisers are delighted with the success of the event, which is doubling in size each year. “Engineering is critical to the
UK’s future, and especially to Scarborough which is a regional centre of engineering excellence, yet we are constrained by skills shortages,” says Peter Wilkinson from Unison, which specialises in metalworking machines. “Engineering offers superb opportunities for job satisfaction and reward, but for many young- sters today it’s not their first choice of career. Scarborough Engineering Week aims to win young hearts and minds by showing the amazing things that engineers can achieve.”
A highlight of this year’s event is the appearance of the ‘Bloodhound SSC jet and rocket- powered car, which is targeting speeds of 1,000 mph to smash the current world land speed record. The ‘Angelic Bulldog streamliner motorcycle being built to reach speeds of 400mph and break the world motorcycle land speed record, also returns.
www.unison.org.uk
SEPTEMBER 2012 Factory Equipment
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