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NEWS COMMENT
energy relief scheme is likely to exacerbate planned reductions in headcount and production according to a survey published today by Make UK and PwC. The 2023 Make UK/PwC Senior Executive survey
T
Happy New Year and welcome to our first issue of 2023! Many of our features this
month focus on the topic of digitisation, which is still a popular talking point among process engineers. Traditionally, adopting digital
solutions has been seen as a way of improving process efficiency and meeting automation goals. It seems now that the global skills shortage combined with an ageing workforce, and more workers retiring, is also accelerating digitisation of plant operations in the industrial sector. This is according to a new report from independent research and advisory firm Verdantix. Some 86% of survey
respondents said a shortage of skilled workers is a significant or very significant factor driving increased digitisation, while 85% point to an ageing workforce as an important factor. Verdantix interviewed 301 senior executives around the world. Yet another reason to
investigate the benefits of digital solutions. Michelle Lea - Editor
examines the views of over 200 senior executives across manufacturing on the outlook for the year ahead. It shows the scale of uncertainty and increased costs that companies continue to face across the board, not just on energy, with ongoing supply chain disruption, access to labour and increased transport costs also creating challenges. The survey also shows the political chaos of the
last year has impacted the competitiveness of the UK as a place to manufacture, making it less attractive for foreign investment. According to the survey, 70% expect their energy
costs to increase this year, with two thirds saying they still expect to take actions such as reducing production or cutting jobs despite the Government energy support package.
A
BB has announced it has signed an agreement to divest its UK technical engineering consultancy business, a technical
engineering consultancy part of its Energy Industries division, to TÜV Rheinland. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2023. The financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed. ABB’s UK technical engineering consultancy
including a network of subcontractors and associates has around 160 people operating from two main sites in the northeast and the northwest of England. A specialist team of technical experts helps global energy customers improve process safety, equipment and asset integrity as well as technical design for new and existing industrial plants. Troy Stewart, Head of ABB Energy Industries UK, said: “This divestment follows a two-year strategic
halfpage_processandcontrol_june22_clickplus.pdf 1 21/06/2022 12:53
SHOWING RESILIENCE, DESPITE THE CHALLENGES In addition, 60% of companies are increasingly
he impact of the seismic increases in energy prices show no signs of abating as manufacturers enter 2023. The proposed
concerned about blackouts affecting their business, 64.3% say increased energy costs are the biggest risk to their company, while 68.9% say uncertainty around energy costs is the biggest risk to confidence. Make UK warns that a less generous relief
package may not shield companies from the worst of these increases, while excluding some companies which have a high energy exposure but don’t currently fall under the traditional ‘energy intensive’ definition. Despite the challenges, manufacturers continue
to show some resilience by boosting their growth prospects through continued investment. This includes a focus on developing new products (71.5%), upskilling or re-training existing staff (69.3%) while almost two thirds are increasing investment in capital equipment (61.7%). Encouragingly, over half of companies (55.4%) plan to increase investment in Apprenticeships. The survey of 235 companies was carried out between 26 October and 15 November.
www.makeuk.org
ABB TO DIVEST UK TECHNICAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY BUSINESS
review of our portfolio and aims to accelerate the continued growth of the business. TÜV Rheinland is an excellent new home for the technical engineering consultancy business, where it can realise its exciting growth opportunity and create customer value.” “We look forward to creating growth, stability and
opportunity at a time where we are seeing increased demand for sustainability, decarbonisation and business continuity,” said Gareth Book, Managing Director, TÜV Rheinland UK. “ABB’s UK technical engineering consultancy will complement the existing risk, safety and integrity management services provided by TÜV Rheinland” ABB’s technical engineering consultancy will be
integrated into the Industrial Services and Cybersecurity business of TÜV Rheinland in the UK.
go.abb/processautomation
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Lamonde Automation Limited Quality Products: Expert Advice
sales@lamonde.com |
www.lamonde.com | +44 (0)20 3026 2670 4 DECEMBER 2022/JANUARY 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL
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