INDUSTRY NEWS
MTC AIMS TO INCREASE THE ADOPTION OF AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS IN THE UK TO BOOST LAGGING PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS
UK productivity is 16% behind the G7 average, ahead of only Italy. Added to this, UK manufacturing is currently facing significant hurdles when it comes to the availability of labour and the ongoing skills shortage problem. But according to Mike Wilson, chief automation officer at The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), robotics and automation hold the key to addressing these issues effectively. ‘The problem for the UK labour market and our economy is not that we
have too many robots in the workplace, but that we have too few,’ stated the Automation and the future of work, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee in September 2019. In fact robotics and automation could not only increase productivity
levels but help to overcome: • Labour shortages post EU-exit • Increasing employee wages • Post-COVID working practices by supporting a more resilient and adaptable business operating model • Manufacturing abroad through re-shoring – robotics and automation could help bring some manufacturing back to the UK. In fact it could help
JOINING ADHESIVE FORCES: TECHSiL ACQUIRES EUROBOND ADHESIVES
TECHSiL recently announced the acquisition of Eurobond Adhesives – a combination of expertise, resources and capabilities which will only strengthen and add to each company’s long history of excellence in the adhesive sector. TECHSiL’s legacy is rooted in pioneering
advancements in specialty adhesives, sealants and dispensing equipment. With a focus on precision engineering and tailored solutions, TECHSiL has earned a reputation for delivering products that enhance performance, reliability
and efficiency across a broad spectrum of applications. From aerospace and automotive to electronics and medical devices, TECHSiL’s contributions have had a profound impact on various sectors. Eurobond Adhesives, on the other hand, has established itself as a
prominent player in industrial adhesives, boasting an extensive portfolio of high-performance bonding solutions with a commitment to research and development, and a customer-centric approach. Catering to industries such as construction, packaging, transportation and more, it has solidified its position as a reliable partner for bonding needs. This move makes TECHSiL’s product portfolio even more
comprehensive and versatile, bringing on board Eurobond branded products and Wagner Reinhardt-Technik metering, mixing and dispensing machinery for one & two-part silicone, LSR, polyurethane and polysulphide material. Customers can expect an expanded range of solutions that cater to a broader array of applications, further solidifying TECHSiL and Eurobond Adhesives’ reputation as one-stop adhesive providers.
UK manufacturing maintain a competitive edge. Uptake of automation technologies in the UK is, however, severely behind. In a report on current robot adoption, the UK ranked 24th, with a density of just 111 robots installed per 10,000 employees. Compared to this, the Republic of Korea came in first with 1000 robots per 10,000 employees. Closer to home and Germany ranked 4th with 397, Italy 14th with 217 and France 20th with 163. According to Wilson, a number of factors have led to this situation, including a short-term approach to capital investment, a common misperception that the technology is expensive and complex, and a cultural resistance to replacing outdated equipment. To help overcome this, The MTC is collaborating with HowToRobot, a
Mike Wilson
global automation marketplace which connects businesses with tailored automation solutions from suppliers. Using the web-based HowToRobot platform, any UK business considering automation can connect with suppliers by simply describing what they need. For businesses that are unsure of their requirements, experts from the MTC can be called on to help specify their needs and provide automation advice, including support to develop solutions that are not yet commercially available. Robot automation has the potential to transform the UK’s manufacturing
competitiveness and productivity, concluded Wilson.
https://the-mtc.org/
https://howtorobot.com/
HYDROGEN-FUELLED 4X4 EMITS ‘NOTHING BUT WATER VAPOUR’
At the Goodwood Festival of speed in June, INEOS Automotive introduced its hydrogen fuelled Grenadier Demonstrator, a 4x4 that emits nothing but water vapour. The hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator is identical to the production Grenadier apart from a bonnet power bulge to accommodate the additional height of the fuel cell. This,
www.techsil.co.uk
however, would not be present in a production model. Lynn Calder, CEO of INEOS Automotive, commented: “INEOS produces 400,000 tonnes of hydrogen per annum and is committed to hydrogen as a key fuel of the future. The hydrogen powered Grenadier Demonstrator is an extraordinary vehicle, capable of doing everything a conventionally powered Grenadier can do but with zero emissions. Now we need the UK Government to provide the infrastructure to support the growth of the hydrogen economy as part of its move to a zero emissions future. Developed in partnership with Austrian engineering consultancy, AVL, the 4X4 has conquered trails in the Austrian mountains and the various offroad challenges around Graz.
www.ineos.com
8 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JULY/AUGUST 2023
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