News Industry


Comment New manufacturing orders fell slightly in the three months to April but output increased and firms are expecting orders to grow in the next quarter. That’s according to the latest CBI quar- terly Industrial Trends Survey. The decrease in total new orders was driven by a fall in domestic demand this quarter, the fastest pace of decline since January 2012, whereas export orders stabilised. However, manufacturers have increased their stocks of work in progress and finished goods. This was most likely in anticipation of a better coming quarter, with expectations for total orders growth at the strongest level for a year. Meanwhile output is also


The hunt is on once again for Britain’s most efficient and sustainable manufacturers.


The fifth Future Manufacturing Awards are being planned and the EEF, the manufacturers’ organisa- tion, and ENER-G have added an Environment award category. This is good news for the industry as it is an excellent way for manufacturers to show they are setting an example in environmental performance. The Environmental Efficiency


Award goes to a company that has done the most to improve its own environmental performance and improve its carbon footprint while the Sustainable Manufacturing Award recognises initiatives to improve sustainability. The EEF awards are free to enter and provide many opportunities to win. I hope that many manufacturers will use the opportunity to take part. Entries close on 19th July.


Heather Ramsden - Editor New Iriss facility


Iriss, the manufacturer of the industrial grade infrared win- dows, has re-located to a new, purpose built, headquarters and manufacturing facility in Florida, USA. This move is not just sig- nificant for the company’s cus- tomers in the USA. It also extends its capability and service to those in the UK and the wider EMEA. “The new facility is a centre of excellence for every aspect of our business and will have a positive impact on customers worldwide,” said David Hinds, sales and mar- keting manager, Iriss EMEA.


iriss.com Events


Total Processing & Packaging 4-6 June, NEC, Birmingham www.totalexhibition.com


The Energy Event 10-11 September, NEC, Birmingham www.theenergyevent.com


Factory Equipment MAY 2013 Manufacturers expect growth in orders next quarter


expected to rise and manufactur- ers’ optimism has improved. Employment in the sector increased in-line with expecta- tions in the three months to April, and manufacturers expect to increase their headcount in the next quarter.


Contrary to expectations, domestic price inflation was unchanged on the quarter, but growth in average unit costs was the highest since January 2012, squeezing manufacturers’ profit margins again. However, weaker sterling meant that the number of businesses citing prices as a factor likely to limit export orders fell to the lowest level since April 2012. At the same time, concern about the


effect of political and economic conditions abroad on exports rose to its highest for a year.


Stephen Gifford, CBI director of economics, said: “This quarter was a mixed bag for manufactur- ers, with new orders disappoint- ing because of a decline in domestic demand, but output did increase. Firms are expecting to ramp up production in the coming quarter on the back of an expected rise in new orders. “Although weaker sterling has eased concern about international competitiveness, manufacturers highlight the potentially chilling effect of political and economic instability abroad on export orders, such as the Cyprus crisis.” www.cbi.org.uk


Whitepaper explains the benefits of RFID technology


SATO, a specialist in barcode printing, labelling and EPC/RFID solutions, has published a whitepaper entitled Ensuring RFID’s Bottom Line Payoff, which looks at how companies investing in RFID tagging of their products can maximise the bene- fits of its capability to drive busi- ness process improvement, increase supply chain efficiency and improve bottom line results. “Instead of companies just seeing RFID tagging products as a way of satisfying the needs of their customers, and another cost of doing business, they can regard it as an opportunity to


enhance productivity and prof- itability,” said Ikuo Dobashi, chairman of SATO Corporation and SATO International Europe. Understanding the impact of data collection and tracking as well as data integration is essen- tial to RFID optimisation. Internally, companies can collect data at multiple points to make determinations about process or product flow improvements or to


validate proper shipment compo- nents and quantities. External data can indicate problems with either too much or too little inventory in the supply chain, product idle time that can be removed from the system or even problems associated with out-of- stock conditions at the retailer. By gathering the data and turning it into information, companies can make supply chain decisions that positively impact on business. The whitepaper gives real life examples of how retail suppliers benefit from installing RFID tech- nology in their businesses. www.satoeurope.com


Compressor specialist marks 140-year anniversary


Atlas Copco is this year celebrating 140 years of ser- vice with activities in more than 90 countries. At its sites in the UK & Ireland Atlas Copco marked its 140-year anniversary with a special celebration. Alex Bongaerts, company secretary of Atlas


Copco’s UK & Ireland operations said: “It is a great occasion to create pride among employees and to make them enthusiastic about future opportunities.” To highlight the company’s 1873 foundation, Atlas


Copco’s President and CEO Ronnie Leten rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York. Other events around the world to mark the date included the inauguration of a new compressor man- ufacturing plant near Pune, India, a significant dona- tion of £38,000 to safe drinking water projects from Atlas Copco’s Water for All organisation in the USA, and customer events around the world. Among other activities in the UK, Atlas Copco willalso be donating 140 cycle helmets to local schools and colleges.


A podcast with an exciting audio history of Atlas Copco is available for download on www.atlas-


copco.com/history. On the history section there is also a new e-book describing some of Atlas Copco’s many achievements during the past 140 years. Atlas Copco’s history is filled with technology innovations. Highlights include introducing the first light rock drills in 1905, manufacturing the first portable air compressor that same year, introducing the world’s first serial-produced hydraulic breakers in 1966, and launching new error-proof and low- energy tightening tools.


www.atlascopco.co.uk 5


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