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CAR PRODUCTION DOWN -99.7% BUT MANUFACTURERS REFOCUS EFFORTS TO PRODUCE EQUIPMENT TO HELP WITH THE PANDEMIC
In April, UK car production fell to -99.7%, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). With plants forced to close, just 197 premium, luxury and sports cars left factory gates – models that had been assembled prior to shutdowns. Many manufacturers therefore refocused efforts
on producing PPE including face shields, visors and medical gowns. At the time of the report, car makers had made around 711,495 pieces of PPE, with others helping make medical equipment including high-tech ventilators as part of the Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium. Although the UK’s 168,000 automotive
manufacturing employees are now returning to work, factories are scaling up production along different timescales and, with strict social
the UK’s car plants mothballed in April, these figures aren’t surprising but they do highlight the tremendous challenge the industry faces, with revenues effectively slashed to zero last month. “Manufacturers are starting to emerge from
distancing measures in place, output initially will be restricted with a predicted loss of up to some 400,000 units by year end. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “With
prolonged shutdown into a very uncertain world and ramping up production will be a gradual process, so we need government to work with us to accelerate this fundamentally strong sector’s recovery, stimulate investment and safeguard jobs. Support to get all businesses through this short-term turmoil will ensure the UK’s many globally-renowned brands can continue to make the products that remain so desirable to consumers the world over and, in turn, help deliver long-term prosperity for Britain.”
www.smmt.co.uk
TÜV SÜD LAUNCHES UK BUSINESS ASSURANCE SERVICE
TÜV SÜD’s new Business Assurance service in the UK provides management system auditing and certification services for more than 40 management standards, including ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (occupational health & safety). David Goodfellow, UK Business Assurance sales
manager at TÜV SÜD, said: “Management system certification provides businesses with a structured approach to process improvements, helping them to
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achieve a competitive edge. Auditing and certification allow them to identify any weak points and systematically optimise performance. Our independent experts have the broad sector expertise that is required to help organisations from various industries to achieve compliance. The TÜV SÜD UK team can also work with our international network to deliver certification and auditor services in different geographical locations for seamless global support.”
www.tuv-sud.co.uk
ur ability to adapt quickly to change has been incredibly important over the last few months – from companies halting regular
production to come up with new medical components and equipment, to those who have suddenly had to work from home. But the technologies around today have made this relatively easy to do. As an editor, I’m used to attending press conferences and exhibitions, but with events cancelled or postponed, webinars,
online press conferences and even virtual exhibitions have almost become normality. In fact during one ‘digital event’, it was interesting to hear the viewpoints of Paul O’Donnell, Manufacturing Technologies Association; Steve Brambley, Gambica; Vanda Jones, British Compressed Air society; and Stephanie Baxter, The Institution of Engineering and Technology. Despite all working from home, it has pretty much been ‘business as usual’. In fact, Jones noted that
remote working is more efficient, and the Society feels more able to support its members and has secured more engagement with them by working online and providing advice. And while its normal training arm has stopped, the team has been putting courses online – something which they had been talking about doing for a while – resulting in more users than would have happened in the physical environment. She also believes the situation has caused many to question their supply chain, and the government investing in how we improve our supply chain will be very important for industry. Gambica has also adapted to the situation and despite all members of staff now working from home,
Brambley explained colleagues now have contact on a more regular basis. Over the last few months the society has moved away from topics such as Brexit and digitalization to give daily updates, guidance and support to help members through the pandemic. Brambley also believes that we won’t be going back to the same amount of travel as in the past, with people becoming more comfortable with online meetings, which have become a necessity in recent months. However, Baxter noted that schools and universities being closed could have an impact on the
engineering skills gap, not only with students potentially engaging less with subjects at the moment, but also as many university students who study engineering are from overseas. She added that teachers need to be confident enough to deliver digital learning, and students coached to be more receptive towards it. O’Donnell, meanwhile, explained how the MACH show – which has been rescheduled to January 2021 – is
being adapted to ensure it is safe for visitors, with wider aisles for social distancing, hygiene stations, more entrances, etc. The ability to work safely will be essential going forward, he explained, and it will lead people and companies to think and work in different ways. “Covid is an accelerant to change. Its not, I don't think, a decisive fork in the road, but it has accelerated industrial change and new technologies,” he commented. So what are your thoughts? Let me know by sending an email to
rmorling@datateam.co.uk.
Rachael Morling - Editor 4 JUNE 2020 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics has confirmed that it will be returning to Farnborough International next year on the 20-22nd of April. The show has been rescheduled from its regular dates in February to avoid conflicting with other events postponed from 2020, and to provide the greatest benefit to visitors and exhibitors as they bounce back from the effects of lockdown.
www.industrysouth.co.uk
The Barden Corporation is celebrating the first year anniversary of the company’s acquisition by precision bearing manufacturer, HQW Precision. “This has been a really exciting
time for the business, and working together more closely as we move forward will create some incredible new opportunities for us to grow and provide customers with the best possible products and services,” said Andreas Sternkopf, VP sales Engineering & Operation at HQW Precision.
www.hqw.gmbh
www.bardenbearings.co.uk
Kollmorgen has announced the discontinuation of all variants of its S400 Series servo drive product line. Orders will be accepted up to June 30th 2020, with deliveries continuing until 30th June 2021 – beyond this time remaining stocks can be supplied on request but only for a limited time. As a longstanding UK distribution
partner, Heason Technology can manage final S400 Series orders as well as migration to alternative, more advanced and cost effective Kollmorgen product lines. As a replacement for existing
S400 users and for new applications, Kollmorgen recommends its next-generation AKD Series.
www.heason.com
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