RESHORING UK: MAPPING THE ENGINEERING SUPPLY CHAIN
A collaboration of leading industrial engineering and technology associations are working together to help manufacturers connect with trusted, accredited suppliers capable of delivering products and services that match their varied requirements. The structured approach adopted
by Reshoring UK will demonstrate to OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturing companies the extent and strength of the engineering supply chain available in the UK. It will assist the high tech
industry sectors including aerospace, automotive, defence, renewable energy and power generation, marine, medical, rail and packaging that need to fill the gaps or strengthen existing supply chains or to support the creation of new ones. “It is focused on building a connected network,” explains Julia Moore, CEO of GTMA. “Leading industrial and technological associations are collaborating to offer the various skill sets that cover the
whole supply chain. From concept to product and process design through process engineering, tooling and methods to finishing and inspection all the way to delivery to the end customer there is a structured approach that will help eliminate the gaps in any established supply chains or provide the opportunity for new ones to be formed.”
Further key associations currently supporting the facility include British Measurement and Testing Association
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SPECTRUM CONCRETE FLOOR PAINT IN 190 RAL COLOURS
Watco, the UK’s leading manufacturer and direct supplier of industrial strength flooring products has launched Spectrum, a range of concrete floor paints available in 190 RAL classic colours.
For designers and architects this
can solve the problem of colour matching to a client’s specification, effectively matching floors to a brand identity. With 190 colours to choose from the perfect match can be made to any colour scheme. Its tough
polyurethane formula means it can be used inside and out and is strong enough for general use in warehouses, factories and workshops but attractive enough for use in showrooms. Spectrum can be applied to concrete, wood, painted surfaces or metal and will transform brighten and dustproof floors, providing an easy to clean, mid-gloss finish, says Watco. Watco offers a wide range of over
65 specialist coatings, concrete repair materials and anti-slip products for floors, steps and ramps to ensure that any workplace remains as safe as
possible. The company has a popular range of wall damp proofing and roof waterproofing products.
www.watco.co.uk
UNLOCKING CAPITAL KEY TO INVESTMENT P
reparing your premises for winter weather is featured in
Maintenance Management this month. Not something we look forward to in many ways but now is a good time to plan ahead. Trade shows start again in earnest and this month’s bumper issue presents previews of PPMA Total and IMHX which many of you will be attending. In addition, we look at how to get the best from VSD compressor installations, aqueous parts washing machines designed to meet stringent requirements and managing the risk from fire and explosion in plants operating thermal fluid systems.
Susan Deane Editor
UK manufacturers could be missing out on the chance to unlock finance from their business due to untapped cash release opportunities, warns accountancy firm RSM. Improving working capital practices in the UK manufacturing sector could generate a cash injection of up to 6% of turnover, according to the latest RSM working capital survey. For the sample data used this equates to around £400m, highlighting a "significant opportunity" for UK manufacturers. RSM says introducing key improvements to reduce working capital through new or modified processes and compliance would help generate cost savings, particularly transactional and operational. The survey analysed a range of
working capital metrics from 75 UK-based manufacturing companies and reaffirmed previous findings that inventory is the key driver of working capital. In addition, the sales and purchases data mirrored last year’s figures signifying that there has been no change and the sector continues to miss cash release
4 SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
opportunities through embedding working capital management. "The manufacturing sector continues to face challenges and accessing cash to invest in new technologies, skilled workers, energy reduction or international growth plans could transform a business but unlocking capital is key to this investment,” comments consulting director Simon Atherton. "Although banks are becoming keener to lend, manufacturers should consider how to access much-needed cash from their own resources. Delivering a release of up to £400m is just the tip of the iceberg; the opportunity for the wider manufacturing sector is far greater."
www.rsmuk.com
Growth and investment are at risk because manufacturers remain disengaged from the banking sector with the legacy of the financial crisis still playing a significant role in their attitudes towards external finance, warns a new report from EEF.
www.eef.org.uk
(BMTA), Engineering Industries Association (EIA), Cast Metals Federation (CMF), Metal Working Machinery Manufacturers Association (MMMA), Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA), Gambica, British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) and British Abrasives Federation (BAF). All associations involved believe there is strength and visibility in working together.
www.reshoringuk.co.uk
SKILLS AND APPRENTICESHIPS
According to a study by CV-Library engineers are now top of the list of sought after graduates with more than 1000 jobs available for engineering graduates in the UK. More than ever before business
owners are relying on foreign graduates to fill these gaps. This is often a win-win situation as many graduates see the UK as a place with many excellent career opportunities and UK employers can take advantage of the talents they cannot find in the UK. Many European graduates see the UK as an ideal location to kick start their careers with benefits such as flexible career paths, a vibrant technological and entrepreneurial sector as well as fiscal incentives. With a year-on-year increase of
12-19% of firms reporting difficulties in finding suitable graduate recruits it is clear a skills gap still exists so those in industry must play their part in inspiring graduates to seriously consider engineering as a worthwhile career choice. Most companies offer work experience places and apprenticeship schemes but this may not be enough. “Apprenticeships and work
experience placements typically start from the age of 14 years,” says Jess Penny, general manager at Penny Hydraulics. “We need to engage children at a younger age, at primary school level.” Manufacturers can assist by
liaising with schools to organise class trips to their premises or sending engineers to talk to children to provide real industry role models to give young people insights into STEM-related jobs. National programmes and events that companies can participate in include Tomorrow’s Engineers, STEMNET and STEM Learning.
www.pennyhydraulics.com
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