INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES NEEDED TO BOOST UK’S FLUCTUATING MANUFACTURING SECTOR
A
new report from the IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing
Managers’ Index (PMI) revealed the biggest decline in the manufacturing sector in two years. The index showed that the manufacturing sector fell to 51.1 this October, down from 53.6 in September. According to Jason Chester,
director of channel programs for InfinityQS says: “The report is indicative of what we are seeing across the manufacturing sector. Economic uncertainty fuelled by the lack of a final agreement on Brexit, in conjunction with the gradual decline of high-street retailers and a contracting construction sector is having a negative effect on supply- chain demand and restricting further growth. As a result, it can be tough to accurately gauge the current state of the UK manufacturing industry, as it appears to be in a state of constant fluctuation. “Alongside rising costs for
imported materials and increasing business anxiety, the manufacturing industry must remain resilient to any
external threats that continue to put pressure on manufacturers of all sizes. Unfortunately, the lack of understanding surrounding technological innovations, including robotics, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), automation, manufacturing intelligence, cloud computing, Big Data, and artificial intelligence, has meant manufacturers are hesitant to go digital. These opportunities can deliver significant benefits such as improved agility, cost reduction, and risk management, all of which are so badly needed by manufacturers in this current environment. “Firms seem to be taking the
easier and ‘safer’ option by investing in labour rather than new technologies. A global client survey revealed that 64 per cent of global manufacturers rate their own shop floor IT capabilities as ‘non-existent, weak, or just average-at-best.’ It’s understandable that firms with smaller budgets are hesitant to scrap their existing machinery in favour of newer technologies, but it is equally ineffective to simply hire new staff without investing in the
right technologies and connected systems for them to operate. Advancements in the IIoT and cloud-based data analytics now offer manufacturers the ability to operate far more efficiently, enabling them to accurately monitor and adjust their operations in real- time so they can remain competitive and adapt to an increasingly unstable global market. “The manufacturing sector is the
backbone of the economy, currently employing approximately 2.6 million people and accounting for 44 per cent of total exports. It is important to remain as efficient and competitive as possible, and the responsibility falls on CEOs and CIOs working in close collaboration with managerial teams to ensure their digital transformation initiatives are successful. Firms that take the initiative to future-proof their manufacturing operations by prioritising investment in IIoT and intelligence solutions will be able to navigate their challenges to emerge as leaders in the fourth industrial revolution.” Concluded Chester.
Dematic's MU Engineering Team moves to Wellingborough
The Engineering Team that supports Dematic’s Modernisation and Upgrades (MU) business has moved from Northampton to larger offices within the Kion Group at Linde’s Wellingborough depot.
https://bit.ly/2QdlED5
TRUMPF records most successful year in the company’s history
The TRUMPF Group was able to significantly increase sales, orders received, and profits in the 2017/18 fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018. Sales rose by 14.6 percent to 3.57 billion euros (fiscal year 2016/17: 3.11 billion euros) – the highest figure in company history since its foundation in 1923. Orders received increased 12.5 per cent to 3.8 billion euros – from 3.4 billion euros in 2016/17. Operating income before taxes rose by 52.3 per cent to 514 million euros (fiscal year 2016/17: 337 million euros). The net operating margin amounted to 14.4 per cent compared to 10.8 per cent one year earlier.
www.trumpf.com
Tel: 0208 339 7370 Fax: 0208 339 7371
Unit 5 Russell House, Molesey Road Email:
sales@blackfast.com Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 3PE
www.blackfast.com
FACTORY EQUIPMENT | NOVEMBER 2018
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