EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Discover the complete manufacturing ecosystem

Subcon returns to the Birmingham NEC next week (7-8 June), bringing together the full manufacturing ecosystem for the UK’s longest-established subcontract manufacturing supply chain show. Over 200 UK and international suppliers will be present at the 46th edition of the exhibition, covering assembly work, CNC machining, metal fabrication, electronics, component parts and more. The exhibition organiser anticipates more than 4000 visitors, all of whom will benefit from free access.

Alongside the exhibition, two conference theatres will provide topical content on the challenges, pain points and opportunities for the manufacturing industry, including supply chain optimisation, AI and automation, agility and resilience, additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, sustainability, and digitalisation. These free conference sessions will showcase over 50 industry leaders revealing stories behind some of the UK’s most interesting engineering and manufacturing projects.
For further information www.subconshow.co.uk

Chancellor supports MTC Business Connect programme

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt,recently visited the Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre as part of the Government’s national “Business Connect” programme.Accompanied by more than 50 captains of British industry, he highlighted the importance of advanced manufacturing to the UK economy:”Advanced manufacturing is one of our most successful sectors and key to driving UK growth, which is why I want to make sure we’re removing any barriers that might be holding business back.”

The visit agenda included presentations from the Chancellor, ministers and the MTC chief executive Graham Hoare, and a visit to the MTC training centre and apprentice workshop. Hunt was joined by: the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade; the Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology; George Freeman MP, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation; and Nusrat Ghani MP, Minister for Industry and Economic Security.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Razor joins University of Sheffield AMRC as partner

Digital technology company Razor has joined the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) as a partner, cementing their long-standing collaborative relationship to drive digital innovations in manufacturing. Razor specialises in harnessing the power of digital technologies like automation, virtual reality, AI, machine learning and focused design thinking to turbocharge businesses, experiences and capability. The Sheffield-based firmis now looking to explore more opportunities for collaboration and accelerate the adoption of digital technologies within manufacturing.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Digital literacy will unlock power of data

Digital literacy and data engineers will be key to manufacturers unlocking the potential of data for their businesses, says the director for industrial digitalisation at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Professor Rab Scott delivered the message at ‘Power of data and digital in industry’, an event held at Barnsley Digital Media Centre to explore the initial outcomes and learnings from NextGen, a project to embed low-cost digital technologies at manufacturers across South Yorkshire and Wales.

FourJaw’s Chris Iveson and Connexin’s Rikki Coles also spoke at the event and, together with Scott, made a powerful case for how adopting a digitally-focused culture – and unlocking the power of data – can help productivity, save energy and reduce waste. Scott said ‘digital literacy’ is a crucial first step for manufacturers who want to start their digital transformation journey – and that step is one NextGen can help them take with confidence.
For further information j.stammers@amrc.co.uk

New director at EngineeringUK

EngineeringUK says Maddie Dinwoodie will join as director of engagement programmes this summer. Dinwoodie joins the organisation from UK Youth, where she is currently chief programme officer. With a background in the not-for-profit sector, she has 20 years’ experience in developing programmes for young people, growing partnerships and improving impact. Says Dinwoodie: “It will be a privilege to work with the team and partners to create the systemic shift that we need to see: inspiring more young people from all backgrounds into engineering and technology, and tackling employment inequalities.”
For further information www.engineeringuk.com