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WINNERS OF NATIONAL MANUFACTURING PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION REVEALED E


EF has revealed the winners of this year’s EEF Manufacturing Photography Competition,


sponsored by Liberty. The winners were announced at a high-profile event at the House of Commons in December where 63 shortlisted images were put on display. The competition, now in its eighth year, seeks


creative images that capture the essence of modern manufacturing. It is all part of EEF’s drive to challenge and change people’s outdated perceptions of the sector. The images help to raise the profile of UK manufacturing by showcasing the industry’s creativity, diversity and heritage. Ellesmere Port-based photographer Adrian


Waine, aged 54, was named Best Professional Photographer after wowing judges with his eye- catching image, ‘Stone Slab Cutting’, taken at Natural Stone Surfaces in Derby. It captures the use of diamond tooling and compressed air to cut through marble slabs to make kitchen worktops. Jakub Wasik from Runcorn, was named Best Amateur Photographer for his compelling image,


‘Process Underbody 24’ (pictured), taken at Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull. It captures the assembly of the underbody of a Range Rover Sport. Siobhan Lock, aged 18, from Bridgend, won the


Best Young Photographer Award, sponsored by Liberty. Her winning image ‘Merlyn’s Magic’ was taken at Penderyn Distillary in Penderyn, Aberdare. The photograph is of Merlyn’s silver award winning cream liquor. As well as the titles, the three successful photographers walked away with a share of £5,000 in prizes. Siobhan Lock, winner of this year’s young photographer award, said: “Manufacturing is a fantastic subject matter, offering such diverse opportunities for dramatic or challenging shots. It’s a very visual industry, but still requires a good eye, skill and patience to do it justice. “It has been an honour seeing my work on


display again in the House of Commons, alongside so many other fantastic images of modern manufacturing.”


Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International


Trade, said: “As an international economic department, we are committed to ensuring our manufacturing sector continues to grow, and these images highlight why the UK’s modern, dynamic and innovative manufacturing industry exports to markets around the world.” The manufacturing photography competition


will run again in 2018 - details will be announced next year. For more information visit: www.eef.org.uk/photo


How manufacturers can maximise their desirability to investors to fuel growth


M


anufacturers requiring funding for organic growth, or


seeking to be acquired by a larger corporates or venture capitalists, are urged to maximise and protect the technology that makes their production processes attractive to investors and specialist lenders. Whilst recent data has suggested that the global mergers & acquisitions (M&A) market has remained relatively largely flat during 2017, the UK remains a prime location for overseas investment - notwithstanding Brexit. This is reflected by our corporate team acting on an unprecedented number of disposals over the last 12 months to corporate buyers from continental Europe (particularly France and Germany), US and China. The strong investment in


6 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2018 | AUTOMATION


manufacturing businesses looks set to persist despite political uncertainty. In fact, the favourable exchange rates over the recent period has been good for many manufacturers – boosting overseas sales and making UK assets keenly priced and attractive acquisition targets for overseas companies. These predictions align with new developments in technologies, processes and materials being high on the agenda for industrial corporates across the manufacturing sector. These businesses are increasingly looking to M&A to further enhance their automated operations and/or their tech portfolios. Interestingly, these IT-driven opportunities are often found in SMEs, start-ups and early stage companies. This upbeat backdrop gives


manufacturing and tech entrepreneurs, who may have been posting modest financial performances up to now, a wealth of opportunities to maximise valuations for funding. This does not mean there will be


an indiscriminate ‘feeding frenzy’ any time soon. While there is a strong appetite to secure advancing technologies and tomorrow’s breakthroughs, investors and buyers are cautious. They will research


potential targets thoroughly before committing – and there is no shortage of innovative companies setting out their stalls. Below are some key steps that


ambitious owners and managers of fast-evolving operations can take to act as a magnet for investors: • Protect and maximise your data, intellectual property and know- how and ensure that there are proper processes in place to do so. • Ensure that key people are


incentivised to remain with the business and deliver an M&A deal both before and after the transaction. The skills base is everything and the people who hold your company’s knowledge are invariably what the purchaser/investor will seek to secure. Lock key employees in with loyalty incentives, including share options and highly attractive reward packages coupled with robust employment contracts with stringent covenants to deter competitors. • Financial hygiene is also vital, in


particular, being able to demonstrate the growth from new automation processes and what the growth potential is, as this will deliver the value. • Plan meticulously by systemising due diligence. Doing


so makes it easier to validate compliance – enabling you to inform potential buyers and build a post integration plan. An investor attracted to a manufacturer’s automated capabilities will expect high tech systems, including reporting and regulatory adherence processes, that facilitate a smooth and successful integration into the new operation. Putting these measures in place


is a very complex and time- consuming process. The support and guidance of a legal practice with a proven track record in corporate transactions, IP and key employee incentive engagement is crucial when attracting interest from funding sources and handling approaches from investors to enable manufacturers to fulfil their growth ambitions.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Matt Ainsworth leads the corporate department at hlw Keeble Hawson, which has offices in Sheffield, Leeds and Doncaster. The firm offers support and guidance in all aspects of the law to the manufacturing sector nationwide. Matt can be contacted by phone on 0114 290 6205, or by email at: mattainsworth@hlwkeeblehawson. co.uk


/AUTOMATION


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