Tag Archives: industry

Manufacturing, News

Report reveals ‘True Impact’ of manufacturing is nearly a quarter of UK GDP

Manufacturing is having a far greater impact on the UK economy than first thought according to a major new report released today.

‘The True Impact of UK Manufacturing’, which will be unveiled at MACH 2024 in Birmingham later, shows industry is worth £518billion and supports 7.3million UK jobs directly and across the supply chains/communities it operates in.

This represents nearly a quarter of total GDP (23%) and far bigger than the direct contribution of 8.2% that is usually quoted by economists.

Carried out by Oxford Economics and the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), the in-depth report also shows that ‘making things’ accounts for 34.5% of all UK goods and services exports, whilst the median wage is £31,300 – 11% higher than the national median wage.

The findings are even more impressive when you consider the sector has had to navigate a myriad of challenges outside its control in recent years, including changing relations with the European Union, the Covid-19 pandemic, unprecedented increases in energy costs and global supply chain fragility and international conflicts.

MTA’s Chief Executive Officer, James Selka is now urging the sector to build on this report by exploring ways in which it can address the skills shortage and develop successful programmes, such as the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres, to increase wealth creation by commercialising more of the great ideas and innovations born in the UK.

“This is a fantastic insight into the true impact of manufacturing in the UK and reinforces what many of us already know – that industry is a far greater contributor to GDP and jobs than listed in national accounts,” commented James.

“Our report has been designed to take a ‘deeper dive’ and looks at the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of manufacturing, which is a far more comprehensive overview of what we make, the complex nature of our supply chains and the economic benefit gained from the spending of wages by those employed in our sector.”

He continued: “The results illustrate that manufacturing accounts for £518bn of GDP and supports 7.3m jobs, most of which enjoy higher than average wages.

“We are also a part of the economy that invests heavily in new technologies, with nearly half (47%) of total R&D investment made by manufacturers. You only have to visit MACH this week to see this first-hand, with more than 500 companies showcasing the latest in automation and robotics, additive manufacturing, latest software, advanced CNC machining and measurement and inspection solutions.”The MTA is now calling on a well-integrated commitment from the whole nation to help industry realise its potential, ranging from business leaders and academics to policymakers so crucial in developing a cross-party industrial strategy.

The recent Advanced Manufacturing Plan – accompanied by support worth £4.5bn – has been welcomed as a step in the right direction and an important vehicle in helping to cultivate the new technologies and industries being born, such as electrification, lightweighting, less carbon intensive materials and renewable energy.

Introducing new measures that increase exports should also be a priority and there is an unprecedented opportunity to deliver critical sovereign capabilities from public health to defending our realm.

MACH 2024

The True Impact of UK Manufacturing report will be officially launched at MACH 2024 by MTA President Tony Bowkett.

Set over five days at the NEC (15-19th April) in Birmingham, the event is the biggest in the UK’s industrial calendar and attracts over 30,000 people from the manufacturing community and more than 500 companies.

More than £200m of business is expected to be completed during the week as some of the country’s most innovative firms unveil new technologies and machines designed to boost productivity and global competitiveness.

MACH, which has a huge focus on sustainable manufacturing and carbon reduction through its six Knowledge Hubs, is also a big attraction for young people looking for a career in industry, with 3,500 students (aged between 12 and 18) set to attend the show.

Headline sponsors Lloyds Bank welcomed the findings of the latest report. David Atkinson, UK Head of Manufacturing SME and Mid Corporates, commented: “As this report highlights, manufacturing is an integral part of the UK economy, through GDP contribution, job creation, and as a source of high wages.

“When you consider the sector’s extended reach through its supply chains and beyond, you can really start to see the scale of its contribution.

“Manufacturers have demonstrated agility and resilience in the past few years of uncertainty, and we are responding by continuing to invest in partnerships in the sector that ensure it has the skills, tools and support needed to compete on a global scale.”

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, concluded: “Manufacturing has always been a strategically important sector for UK economy and, none more so than now, given the immense societal, political and economic challenges that we face.

“Just as the first industrial revolution provided a step change, the accelerating pace of technological change of the fourth industrial revolution gives us a generational opportunity to do the same now. This valuable report highlights to those in power now and in the future, how manufacturing is greater than the sum of its parts.”

To download the report, please visit The true impact of UK manufacturing (mta.org.uk). More information on MACH 2024 can be found here https://www.machexhibition.com.

News

Former rugby stars prove a big hit at Howorth Air Technology

Rugby league players are used to making big hits on the pitch – now former stars of the sport are proving a big hit off the field, helping Howorth Air Technology stay ahead of the game on employee welfare.

Howorth’s partnership with the charity Rugby League Cares sees ex-players draw on their personal experiences and specialist training to deliver mental fitness and wellbeing workshops to the company’s employees.

The latest coaching session at Howorth under the charity’s Offload programme was delivered by Bob Beswick, whose league career saw him make 433 senior appearances for clubs including Wigan, Widnes and Leigh, as well as 25 international caps for Ireland.

Howorth director John Hale said teaming up with Rugby League Cares has proved to be a great match.

“The positive impact of the Offload sessions delivered to our teams flows through to productivity and the bottom line. The partnership with Rugby League Cares is one of the many building blocks that has enabled our business growth and employee engagement over recent years,” he said.

The partnership also sees Howorth staff hold events at its sites in Bolton and Salford to raise funds for the charity.

Rugby League Cares, founded 10 years ago, is an independent charity which supports players at the end of their careers by providing education and training grants to equip them with the skills and qualifications they need for the next stage of their lives. It also provides practical and financial support to current and former players who have poor health or are enduring hardship.

In the communities where rugby league is played, the Offload programme has helped tens of thousands of people in businesses and organisations to better manage their own mental wellbeing and support those around them.

Many Howorth staff are avid RL fans and the company has won several awards for its commitment to the development, wellbeing and engagement of its employees.

John said: “We have a proud culture of valuing and empowering our people, providing a safe and enjoyable place to work and enabling them to receive the technical and wellbeing support they need to develop in their jobs and thrive in their lives as a whole.

“We know from the positive feedback we’ve received that the Offload sessions are of real tangible benefit to the individuals taking part, their family circles and friendships.

“People feel that they help them to build resilience and coping strategies. They’ve been motivated and empowered to look after themselves from a mental fitness and wellbeing perspective, and that in turn has had a beneficial impact on the business and employee engagement.

“We have six Offload workshops each year, which are well-attended, and we provide monthly drop-in sessions as part of the programme too. We also help the charity by raising funds, and we open our doors to RL players who are looking to transition from their career as a professional athlete, to help them to understand business and the 9-5 life.”

Howorth, which has its headquarters in Farnworth, Bolton, and a facility at Raven Locks in Little Hulton, Salford, designs, manufactures and assembles ultra clean air equipment for use in operating theatres, and for the pharma, biotechnology and life science industries. The company, which turns over more than £20m a year, employs over 130 staff across its operations in the UK and the United States.

John was among the guests at a recent event at Speaker’s House in Westminster. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons and president of the Rugby Football League, hosted the event, which was held to showcase the work of Rugby League Cares and recognise the support of its partners.

Chris Rostron, chief executive of Rugby League Cares, said: “We were delighted that Howorth were able to join us at Speaker’s House as we celebrated both the important work the charity does in rugby league communities and the vision we share with our partners for enhancing the mental fitness of those closest to us.

“Howorth’s progressive and proactive approach to mental wellbeing is reflected in the company’s continued growth, and everyone at RL Cares is proud of the part we are playing in that success. Howorth’s managing director Jim Liptrot and his team are passionate advocates for our Offload programme and we would like to thank them for championing our work so enthusiastically within the corridors of power at Westminster.”

Events, News

APDO Announces Presence at Major Household Industry Event

The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) has announced its presence at major household industry event, the Clean & Tidy Home Show, which brings celebrities, experts and major brands within the home-tidying space together to connect, collaborate and share insight.

Taking place 8th and 9th October at ExCeL London, the Clean & Tidy Home Show aims to create a unique community for those who seek a clean home with more space and less clutter.

Exhibiting at the show, APDO will be helping attendees find organisers in their area to meet their specific needs, as well as providing professional organisers with the opportunity to sign up to become a member of the association. Alongside the APDO stand will be an ‘Ask the Expert’ area, enabling visitors at the show who are interested in embarking on a career in professional organising to seek advice and information, as well as consult decluttering experts on various different specialisms throughout the day in a one-on-one setting.

APDO Board Members Jacqueline McLeod of Bancrofts Organisation Services and Siân Pelleschi of Sorted! will be speaking at the event, and participating in panel discussions alongside high-profile influencers and industry leaders such as Officially Hinched, Mrs Peachy Clean, and Property and DIY Interiors TV Presenter Georgina Burnett, who will be hosting the main stage.

Jacqueline McLeod, APDO’s Communications Director commented, “APDO is all about helping others to declutter and organise their lives. Through our many specialisms we aim to meet the individual needs of our existing and potential clients.”

Jacqueline added, “We are also passionate about supporting the growth of the industry, and we look forward to sharing our expertise at the Clean & Tidy Home Show with those who are interested in learning more about the decluttering and organising profession.”

APDO, the UK’s membership association for decluttering and organising professionals, sets standards, provides professional development and supports the growth of the industry. Founded in 2004, APDO is a non-profit organisation and belongs to a global community of professional organising associations which foster collaboration to advance the industry through sharing information and ideas.

For more information, visit https://www.apdo.co.uk/

News, North of England

UK Container Maintenance Celebrates a Highly Successful Presence at RWM & Letsrecycle Live

Leading container repair and refurbishment firm UK Container Maintenance (UKCM), based in Cheshire, is jubilant after receiving stellar feedback from attendees at RWM & Letsrecycle Live 2022 on 14-15 September.

With an impressive stand, located in the demonstration area, UKCM showcased its innovative range of solutions to bring containers of all types and sizes back to life, promoting a circular economy. With asset management and health and safety also front of mind, the company shared an insight into container tracking devices and  advised on the importance of undertaking statutory tests such as LOLER surveys.

RWM & Letsrecycle Live event serves as the UK’s largest event for the recycling, resource and wider environmental services sector.

The event welcomed 12,000+ visitors, more than 800 exhibitors and 200 speakers across indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, 10 conference theatres, live demonstration areas, and much more.

Established in 1998, UKCM, the UK’s largest family-owned container repair and refurbishment company is dedicated to the refurbishment of all types of waste and recycling containers. UKCM works across the country offering waste companies and local authorities’ mobile repairs, as well as factory-based services at its head office located in Winsford, Cheshire.

The process brings old, and often unwanted, waste containers back to life instead of them going to scrap. The business model – refurbishment over replacement – is simple and for a third of the price of replacing a container, UKCM can restore the unit to full working order.

 

For more information on UKCM, visit www.ukcontainers.co.uk

To find out more about RWM & Letsrecycle Live, visit www.rwmexhibition.com

Midlands News, News

Major growth creates 25 new jobs at Corbetts the Galvanizers

More than 25 new jobs are up for grabs at one of Shropshire’s oldest manufacturers this weekend.

Corbetts the Galvanizers is holding a special open day on Saturday September 10th for people looking for work or a change in career, with shopfloor operatives, forklift truck drivers and sales administration roles all currently available for an immediate start.

The Telford-based company, which turned 160 years-old in 2020, has continued to see a major surge in demand for its services from the construction, street furniture, transport and agriculture sectors, with future orders already in the pipeline.

50 jobs have already been filled in the last twelve months, but this new growth means that further roles have been created and a suite of benefits put in place to attract the best talent.

This includes a £500 joining bonus, a weekly attendance bonus and opportunity to join the pension scheme.

Natalie Hughes, HR Manager at Corbett the Galvanizers, commented: “We are offering long-term jobs with great rates of pay, all backed up by the security that comes with working for a company with a 160-year history.

“The Open Day is designed to give people the chance to visit us at our Halesfield site and, over a cuppa and cake, we can show them our business, what we do and how they can play a vital role in our growth.

“Everyone is welcome as we will give full training and development and there are lots of opportunities for progression, with many of our senior team leaders starting with us and working their way up.”

Corbetts the Galvanizers has been supplying world class hot dip galvanizing to thousands of customers across the UK and Europe for 162 years.

This process is the most effective and environmentally friendly way to protect steel from the elements and provides a long-term solution to corrosion (rust) and maintenance free protection in excess of 100 years.

From its purpose-built facility in Telford, it operates several galvanizing baths that give it the opportunity to process in excess of 50,000 tonnes every year and the ability to double dip material up to a length of 14 metres.

“During the Open Day, we will also introduce them to the Iron Duke Academy, a new initiative that has been designed to help people get started in our sector and gives them clear pathways for progression in our business,” pointed out Natalie.

“There has been a lot of investment in training, both internally and bringing external specialists in. This equates to a bespoke plan for every employee that not only looks to give them the work skills we need, but also supports them with general life skills, such as English language and maths.”

Education, Marketing, PR and SEO, News

Loughborough University appoints Firehaus to lead brand ignition

Firehaus is delighted to announce an exciting new project with Loughborough University. The brand consultancy will be working with the leadership team of the School of Business and Economics to position and rebrand the school in preparation for its next stage of growth. 

The University currently ranks in the top 10 in all UK league tables and is No.1 in the UK for employer-student connections. It is one of only a handful of universities globally to hold prestigious triple-accreditation for its business school. 

The School of Business and Economics has an enviable reputation for merging business theory with practical experience. However the leadership team have set themselves the ambition of staying ahead of the curve in this dynamic and highly competitive sector. A more distinct brand position, underpinned by an inspiring vision and mission, is the first step in creating the momentum needed to enable the School to bolster their undergraduate core, scale their international postgraduate profile and innovate their relationships with industry. 

The new brand position will align with the three themes identified in the University’s 2030 strategy; Climate Change & Net Zero, Vibrant & Inclusive Communities and Health & Wellbeing. 

Firehaus will be using its Brand Ignition framework to set the foundations in place to bring the School to the attention of a wider international audience, mapping a future for the brand that challenges, informs and inspires a new generation of business people for the world stage. It will work closely with the University’s in-house design team to capture and bring to life the new brand position. 

The appointment adds to Firehaus’ increasing body of work around innovation and enterprise in the higher education sector, including projects for UKRI and the University of Bristol. 

Professor Janet Godsell, Dean of the School of Business and Economics said “We knew the importance that brand would play in the future growth of the School. We concluded we needed an outsider perspective to make the transition required as we’d only get one bite of the cherry to get it right for launch. Firehaus are specialists and there is a cultural fit in their collaborative approach that builds trust with wider stakeholders.” 

“It’s been a real pleasure to work with the forward-thinking team at Loughborough. They intuitively understand the role a distinct and inspiring brand has in motivating staff and students as well as creating stand out in a competitive market.” Nick Barthram, Strategy Partner. 

Construction, Construction News, Manufacturing, News

Prayers answered for Munich cathedral recessed covers

Telford-based specialist manufacturers Fabweld Steel Products (FSP) and its German distribution partner Hatiba have won the contract to design and make custom-made recessed covers for a new pedestrianised zone around Munich’s most famous cathedral and landmark.

The Cathedral Church of Our Lady – or Frauenkirche to the locals – is one of the city’s most famous landmarks, with two 100m high towers which are the most recognisable feature of the Munich skyline. Attracting millions of visitors every year, the gothic church is at the centre of a new pedestrianised zone which the City Council hopes will transform the space around Frauenkirche into a special place for locals and tourists to stroll and linger.

FSP’s trusted distributor Hatiba was asked to provide a quote for the bespoke recessed covers for the pedestrianised zone project in Frauenplatz, the area surrounding the cathedral. The specification was for a stainless steel cover which would blend with the floor surface – in this case, granite – but for maintenance purposes the cover had to be easy to lift.

Wayne Carter, managing director at Fabweld Steel said: “As the granite slabs weighed over 100kg, Hatiba recommended that German contractor G&B Bau München used our FAB PAVE S40 product which incorporates mechanical struts to assist in the lifting of the cover. This would reduce the weight of the granite to the equivalent of less than 17kgf, making it suitable for a one-man lift.”

Jörg Ficks, Chairman at Hatiba commented: “We were very pleased to win the contract for the Frauenkirche development, delivering a product which brings together modern engineering and design with a granite infill to blend seamlessly into the historic surrounds.  The competitive price and shorter lead time we offered also helped secure the deal over our German competitor, who had initially been specified for the job.”

To learn more, visit https://www.fsp.co.uk/

Bristol, News, South West

Firehaus Bring Academia & Industry Together – Increasing Impact & Informing the Future

Firehaus, the Bristol-based brand consultancy, is bringing Academia and Industry together with the launch of The University of Bristol’s The Enterprise Sessions and Interact. 

Interact is a newly-funded initiative through Made Smarter Innovation, part of UKRI.  Many of the barriers to digital innovation in manufacturing are not actually technological, but economic and behavioural. Social science, with its focus on human behaviour, has much to contribute to help industry overcome these challenges. Yet many social scientists are unaware of the opportunities manufacturing provides as a platform for their expertise.  

Interact has been launched to bring pioneering human insight to the industry and accelerate the adoption of industrial digital technologies in the UK manufacturing sector. Firehaus worked with Made Smarter Innovation and academics from the Universities of Loughborough and Strathclyde to create the positioning, name, branding and manifesto film for Interact.  

The brand will offer expertise in social and economic sciences to initiate research and improve access to insights to inform the future of a net-zero economy and make an important contribution to how the UK realises its ambition to become a global leader in industrial digitalisation by 2030. 

Professor Jill MacBryde, University of Strathclyde, Co-Director of Interact comments: “Our long-term vision is to build a strong, vibrant, interdisciplinary community to support UK manufacturing in the adoption and development of digital technologies that will result in a stronger, more resilient, manufacturing base. We know that technology alone is not enough. We need to harness the knowledge of people and society to really reap the full benefits that technology can bring.” 

Jill MacBryde, University of Strathclyde, Co-Director of Interact adds: “Firehaus were great to work with. They explained everything and discussed our choices. They listened to our multiple stakeholders and were very flexible. We ended up with something we are delighted with – but would never have been able to do ourselves!” 

Meanwhile, The Enterprise Sessions is a series of films led by Prof. Michele Barbour Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor: Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Bristol. She speaks with founders, researchers and academics from different disciplines and career stages who’ve been part of its Enterprise ecosystem. Guests include Konstantina Psoma, Professor Wuge Briscoe and Professor Roberta Guerrina and will cover a range of topics from funding, licensing and IP, consultancy, contract research and business incubation. The series aims to inspire others to consider how they can realise impact from their ideas.  Jones Millbank were responsible for all of the video production for the project. 

The University of Bristol now tops the list of UK universities for the return on investment achieved by spinouts and is ranked in the top 3 for equity investment. [Govgrant: University Spinout Report – Parkwalk and Beauhurst: Equity Investment into UK Spin outs 2022] 

Prof. Michele Barbour says: “The University of Bristol has an impressive track record of enterprise and innovation and we’re keen to share that knowledge within our community as well as with a wider audience. The Enterprise Sessions is a new content series that brings to life the personal stories of spinout Founders and how our enterprise ecosystem has them.” 

“Firehaus took our idea and created a branded content series, introducing the broadcast-style interview approach, as well as the name and look and feel. The approach has allowed me to develop rich conversations with our interviewees and showcase their experience of our ecosystem which will be of huge benefit for anyone involved in research, innovation and enterprise.” 

Nick Barthram, Strategy Partner at Firehaus adds, “Firehaus have worked with a range of organisations in the Research, Innovation and Enterprise space, including UKRI, Made Smarter Innovation and The University of Bristol. Consequently we’ve developed a clear understanding and methodology to ignite opportunities at the intersection of academia and industry”.  

Midlands News, News, Sport

FSP provides knockout sponsorship to local boxer

A local boxing star has received key sponsorship from a leading Telford business in the run up to a British title fight.

Fabweld Steel Products, an industry leading steel fabricator, has shown its support by sponsoring Telford’s Liam Davies, who will be fighting Marc Leach for the British Super Bantamweight crown at Telford International Centre on June 11.

The bout, which will be shown live on BT Sport, is the main event on the Telford card and sees unbeaten Liam challenging for the title to add to his WBC International Silver Super Bantamweight belt.

FSP managing director, Wayne Carter, said: “Our business has gone from strength to strength in Telford and we’re passionate about supporting the communities in which our team live and work. We dedicate time and money every year to sponsor and support local causes and individuals and we are delighted to add Liam to that group.

“Liam is a passionate and dedicated up-and-coming boxing star and we’re excited to be in his corner for the upcoming fight.”

Liam added: “I’m hugely appreciative of the support from FSP in the lead up to the biggest fight of my career so far. To be successful, particularly in sport, you need the encouragement of your local community to help keep you focussed on your goal.

“The sponsorship from FSP means I will be able to cover my medical fees, kit and training costs, allowing me to put all my efforts into preparing for the fight.”

Events, News, Tech

Head of Guest Data Science and Core Product at Airbnb, Claire Lebarz to share insights at AI Summit

The headline AI event of London Tech Week, The AI Summit will be returning in June and game-changing world leaders of applied AI who will be speaking as part of this year’s programme have been announced.

Head of Guest Data Science and Core Product at Airbnb, Claire Lebarz leads data science for the core product team at Airbnb (site & app, from search to the real life guest experience). She has 10+ years of experience in data engineering, analytics, inference and advanced modelling.

Claire’s particular area of interest are building high impact data teams, empowering minorities in tech and establishing ethical data practices.

Claire will be exploring:

Knowledge Graphs and Machine Learning – Connecting the Dots Between the Data World and The Business World in a More Effective Way

Thursday, June 16, 2022

 Claire will share her leading industry insight on how to get started with knowledge graphs and machine learning to achieve Enterprise AI, whilst sharing real world examples and case studies of how organisations are obtaining fast insights.

The talk during The AI Summit London will focus primarily on what knowledge graphs are, and what solutions they can provide for your organisation. It will cover what the building blocks are, from both a design and technology perspective, that will allow your organisation to succeed.

Lebarz said: “I am looking forward to the summit and meeting many interesting people from the industry. I’m excited to talk about graph machine learning, this is the future of ML in my opinion.

 “People often think graphs are limited to social graphs and only useful for companies like Facebook or LinkedIn. I’ll share many other valuable use cases and share recent advances in the field that make it a very powerful tool.”

The AI Summit London – a two-day celebration of emerging technology – will play host to some of the biggest movers, shakers and policy makers in applied AI, Attendees will meet the speakers and hear their success stories, giving delegates the inspiration and insight necessary to bring any AI road-map to life.

Bringing together a cross section of the global AI community, The AI Summit London supports CEOs, CTOs, AI experts, data scientists, technologists, engineers and policy makers. The event programme aims to provide accurate, unbiased information that supports the development of corporate strategy and enhances AI activation for businesses.

Held at London’s Tobacco Dock on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 June, The AI Summit London is where commercial AI comes to life. The event is supported by tech innovators and global authorities, driven by powerful use-cases from world-business leaders.

Tickets are now available and limited.  Please visit to secure your place today https://london.theaisummit.com.

 

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About The AI Summit London – The first AI events were aimed solely at research and academic audiences. The founders behind The AI Summit noticed this and sought to create a more inclusive event for enterprises. In 2015, The AI Summit was launched,

Now, there are four conferences and exhibitions running annually in London, Singapore, Austin, and New York City.

Annually, these events bring together over 15,000 representatives from the world’s leading organisations, supported by IBM, Microsoft, AWS, Google, Meta, Accenture, and Intel, among others.

For more information visit www.london.theaisummit.com.