MANUFACTURERS PAY ABOVE NEW LIVING WAGE N
ew research from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, shows that the majority of
I
’ve just returned
from an extremely successful Sensors & Instrumentation exhibition which saw over 3,300 visitors walk through the door to see the latest products, technology and solutions on display from over 100 leading exhibitors. It was the best show so far, which has helped to further establish it as the must-attend national sensors focused event of the year. It was co-located with the Machine Building Show and Micro Nano MEMS, both of which also enjoyed increased visitor numbers. Sensor technology is
continuing to advance at quite a pace and is driving much of the development of smarter devices being used in many industrial automation applications. The same is true of machine vision systems, which when combined with the latest sensors, can help to turn a basic machine or robot into a much more intelligent and capable device. In this issue you’ll find our annual Machine Vision Supplement which focuses on the latest technology and also many of the applications where vision has made a positive impact on process efficiency and therefore overall profitability.
Neil Mead - Managing Editor
manufacturers will see little impact from the move to implement a National Living Wage, with many already paying above the level currently proposed by Government. Despite this, however, many are still concerned about the potential for upward wage pressure and future wage rate uncertainty, while a minority warn that, for their business, implementation could lead to restructuring or job losses. The survey shows that over half of manufacturers (52 per cent) are paying above the new National Living Wage to all employees aged 25 and over. Of those that are not, the majority (17 per cent) only have a small proportion of their workforce (five per cent or under) earning less than the National Living Wage. This suggests that for the most part manufacturers will see little impact from the new National Living Wage. But despite this, almost half (45 per cent) are concerned about the effect it will have on wage pressure within their businesses, as more highly paid workers seek to maintain pay differentials, while 37 per
cent say that the new National Living Wage will add to future wage rate uncertainty. As a result, EEF has made a number of
recommendations to the Low Pay Commission designed to ensure clarity, predictability and affordability for manufacturers going forward. Central amongst these is the recommendation that the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage should become one and the same. Tim Thomas, head of employment policy at EEF, said:
“The positive news is that, when it comes to the National Living Wage, affordability isn’t such a concern for manufacturers as the majority are already paying above this level. However, it is unlikely to prevent companies from feeling nervous about the broader implications for pay and particularly the fear of increasing wage pressure as higher paid staff seek to maintain current pay differentials. “It is key for Government to listen to these concerns
and ensure focus on clarity, predictability and affordability. This will reassure manufacturers that wage costs are not going to spiral unexpectedly.”
ZETTLEX ANNOUNCED AS RURAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR C
ambridgeshire-based Sensors company, Zettlex, has been
named as ‘Outstanding Rural Manufacturing Business of 2015’ at the UK’s Rural Business Awards, which took place last month. The awards, which aim to recognise and reward outstanding businesses operating across the rural environment, were decided by an independent panel of judges. Mark Howard, Zettlex managing
director, commented: “We are delighted to have won this award. The shortlist for this category was
strong and as such to come out on top is very pleasing. Our rural location provides us with a spacious and idyllic working environment whilst also having tech city Cambridge on our doorstep.” Heidi Allen, MP for South
Cambridgeshire, said: “This is what I love about South Cambridgeshire - world leading businesses flying the flag for British innovation and technology from the smallest of rural villages. I am so pleased Zettlex have been recognised for their contribution to UK
manufacturing. From humble beginnings they have grown into an organisation which now competes on the International stage. Great Britain at its best!” Zettlex, a technology company
which designs and makes precision sensors for extreme environments, has seen consistent growth over the last two years and through a very slick innovation and engineering pipeline continues to introduce new technologies on a regular basis.
www.zettlex.com
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