THREE POINT PLAN TO HELP GET THE UK ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK
Stark statistics from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) warn that Britain’s manufacturing sector will take one of the biggest COVID-19 hits financially across UK industry with output expected to fall by 55% in the second quarter of this year. Previous levels of output can only return with
the creation of demand from the reopening of all retail outlets including vehicle facilities to boost automotive, and for nervous consumers to get back to normal spending patterns to provide a market for the goods produced right down the manufacturing supply chain. MAKE UK has published its 3 point plan –
‘Manufacturing our road to recovery’ – and welcomes the extension and flexibility of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which it hopes will work in tandem with a series of other measures to stimulate demand to truly get manufacturing and the UK’s economy back on track. As it stands, almost two-fifths (37%) of
manufacturers don’t expect trading conditions to
return to normal for 6-12 months after the COVID crisis ends, while a further 17% say it will take over a year to recover. The 3 point plan is as follows: 1. Boost economic support: · Introducing a scheme for old IT, plant and
machinery equipment to incentivise firms to invest in new technologies that will increase automation, productivity, output and exports. · A wheels to work scheme to support the
rent/purchase of bicycles, mopeds etc. for rural commuters. · Retail Online Vouchers - to help small and
micro enterprises get online. The vouchers would help companies to sell their goods and services online using delivery robots and drones. 2. Ensure a safe return to work: · Access to PPE for employees without in any
way denying supply to the NHS, care sector and other essential services. · Greater flexibility of the Job Retention Scheme
(JRS) to allow workers with health and safety skills that are vital to re-starting production, to be
returned to the workplace in a staggered way · HSE review into wider workplace regulations to
see what might be sensibly amended so as to allow differential operation during this unusual period. 3. Build resilience · A comprehensive supply chain mapping project:
to ensure we have a greater understanding of their vulnerabilities, including transport/logistics. · Additional fiscal incentives to ensuring critical
industrial R&D capacity and spend is safeguarded. · A Global Supply Chain resilience programme:
which keeps markets open and predictable. Make UK Chief Executive, Stephen Phipson,
said: “Industry welcomed the initial critical financial support from Government but now as we move into the recovery stage the right response is to focus on supporting the business sector with measures designed to stimulate demand and ensure manufacturers can get back to supplying the goods consumers want and our country needs.”
https://www.makeuk.org/insights/publications/ manufacturing-our-road-to-recovery
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THERMAL IMAGING REDEPLOYED TO SCREENING
Much as we are all probably sick of hearing the phrase ‘new normal’, it’s something that we will all have to get used to as the lockdown is slowly eased. As ever, manufacturing
companies are swiftly innovating to provide the services we may all need to resume our daily lives. Just as car manufacturing lines were turned over to producing ventilators at the start of the pandemic, suppliers are adapting their products to meet our needs. Thermal imaging equipment,
once used to detect faults in factory machinery, is now being put to good use to detect employee temperature before they are allowed to commence work (see story right), and many, many technology/equipment companies are producing webinars and online training, often free-of-charge during these times, to keep our industry up-to-date and informed. Helping us to get ready for the next chapter, whatever that may be. Michelle Lea
Editor
Plant reliability specialist AVT Reliability, is using its expertise in thermal imaging – usually employed to detect faults in factory equipment – to help companies protect their workforce. The company has devised an endorsed thermal imaging procedure to screen employees for one of the classic signs of COVID-19 infection - a raised temperature - as they arrive on site. It is now offering to set up any
company’s thermal imaging equipment as a screening system at no cost, offer guidance and approach documents, or provide advice about suitable monitoring systems, for free. Several companies have already
taken up the offer and are screening staff as they arrive at work. Operatives are photographed face- on using a thermal imaging camera. The resulting image identifies areas of raised temperature via colour- coded imagery. Anybody displaying a temperature of 34°C or above is given a second, more in-depth
RS Components (RS) has expanded its series of STEM-related activities to help schoolchildren across the UK meet the challenge of studying from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The STEM Extraordinary
screening focusing on their inner ear. If they are found to have a temperature above 38°C, considered by NHS standards to indicate a fever, they will be directed to seek medical advice, while those with a normal temperature can continue in to work. PJ Cloete, thermal imaging
technical authority at AVT Reliability, said: “This offer is open to any company, not just AVT Reliability clients. Anybody who wants more information about employee screening can contact us on 0161 486 3737 or email
enquiries@avtreliability.com
www.avtreliability.com
Engineering Challenge tasks youngsters with designing an engineering solution to address a current global challenge, such as poverty and hunger, pollution or climate change. There are two categories for ages
7-11 and 12-16, and students are invited to submit their solutions as either hand-drawn or computer- generated drawings or, where possible, go even further by creating 3D models or videos of their designs. Submissions should be uploaded to the DesignSpark website at
https://www.rs-
online.com/designspark/extraordina ry-engineering-challenge no later than Tuesday 30 June. The winning designs will be selected by a panel of expert engineers and announced on Friday 10 July. The winners of each category will receive a cool tech bundle worth over £700.
uk.rs-online.com/web/
4 MAY 2020 | PROCESS & CONTROL
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