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NEWS COMMENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE IS HOLDING BACK SUSTAINABILITY


due to cost pressures. This is according to research findings by Visual Components, polling respondents in the UK, US, Germany and France. The stalling of progress in green initiatives is also


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There has been a mixed reaction to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, but one seemingly positive announcement from Jeremy Hunt is the appoint of Sir Michael Barber as an Advisor on Skills Reform. Verity Davidge, Director of


Policy at Make UK, said: “This is an important recognition of the challenges that employers face in accessing the right skills, but further action is required beyond the implementation of current reforms – some of which will not come into effect for another three years. As manufacturers wrestle with labour and skills shortages, Sir Michael Barber should be working with the Department for Education and Treasury to consider reviewing and reforming the apprenticeship levy, providing greater support for employers to offer T Level placements, and improving options for retraining and upskilling before the introduction of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement.” Let’s hope ‘advice’ turns into ‘action’. Michelle Lea - Editor


revealed by 72% of respondents saying that less than 50% of the materials used in the manufacturing process are sustainable, while 79% state that less than 50% is currently powered by renewable energy. When it comes to progress in sustainable


initiatives, less than half of organisations focus on waste reduction (43%), improving efficiency (43%) and a reduction in power usage (29%), with the latter most likely driven by rising energy costs. This is despite confidence among decision makers that their business will play a role in the global drive for net zero carbon emissions (71%). Rising economic pressure will likely extend


beyond impacting sustainability and also push organisations towards a reshoring strategy. In fact,


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ndustrial service provider ERIKS has invested £500,000 in a new Southampton regional hub as part of multi-million-pound infrastructure


improvements program in the UK. The 1,800m2 purpose-built facility is designed to support the company’s strong customer base across the South and South West of England. The regional hub replaces two smaller outdated


facilities in Southampton and brings together core areas of engineering expertise in a central location, as well as a local stockholding of critical parts, improving the speed, flexibility and scope of customer services. Services include standard repairs and upgrades for pumps, motors and gearboxes. The work is part of a £21m infrastructure


investment by ERIKS split between Maintenance, repair and operation (MRO) product supply, and


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lmost seven-in-ten (69%) manufacturing decision makers agree that their sustainability strategy has been restricted


almost four-in-ten (38%) are planning to bring their operations back to their original country, with increased costs associated with maintaining operations across several countries and lengthy transportation of goods likely to play a role. Reshoring will also escalate as supply chain


issues (44%) and the challenging economic environment (42%) were identified as the biggest challenges. However, organisations need to ensure that


sustainability stays front-of-mind, as decision makers state that employees are holding greater power in driving sustainability strategies (63%). “...decision makers can’t put sustainability on the


backburner, with net zero targets and employee demand dictating its importance. To confidently move forward, technology such as simulation software can allow organisations to reduce waste, optimise floor layouts and enable communication of plans to colleagues remotely, bringing down emissions,” said Mikko Urho, CEO, at Visual Components. www.visualcomponents.com


ERIKS INVESTS £500,000 IN SOUTHAMPTON ENGINEERING HUB


technical engineering, supported by product business units and engineering workshops across the country, such as Southampton. Mike Golds, ERIKS Engineering Services Director,


said: “The building incorporates an extensive workshop space, allowing us to enhance our offering and focus on servicing, standard repairs and upgrades of pump, motor and geared drive equipment, as well as providing a base for ERIKS site services teams.” The regional hub includes a dedicated bay and


wash-down trap with segregated clean and dirty areas for machine preparation, heavy-lift cranes, advanced test and diagnostic systems, repair workstations, spray booths and curing oven, as well as final assembly and inspection areas. www.eriks.co.uk


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Lamonde Automation Limited Quality Products: Expert Advice


sales@lamonde.com | www.lamonde.com | +44 (0)20 3026 2670 4 NOVEMBER 2022 | PROCESS & CONTROL


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