In association with

RBS

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is delighted to support this year’s Manufacturer LIVE conference. This is the third year of RBS’s support for the annual event which provides welcome profile to the on – going successes of the UK manufacturing sector. RBS has a long history through its RBS and NatWest brands of supporting UK manufacturers.

The RBS Group has grown into a large international banking and financial services company which is able to service the needs of its clients in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas and Asia. RBS has more than 40 million customers. The bank’s primary goal is to deliver first class long-term relationship banking to its customers in all their areas of activity. In these challenging times, however, the banker/ customer dialogue is as important as it has ever been and in RBS this level of understanding and trust is enhanced by a sector based approach which enhances the understanding of key industry segments.

The London-based Manufacturing & Infrastructure team for instance is part of UK Corporate Banking and works with new and existing firms in the manufacturing sector. It has a wealth of experience in the market place and the sector and can draw upon the wide range of product expertise within the RBS group as well as liaising with colleagues performing similar roles throughout the UK. The maxim is to provide support through regular contact coupled with appropriate solutions in the current challenging climate.

If you want to find out more about how we can help your firm please contact: Peter Russell, Head of Sector RBS Manufacturing & Infrastructure Tel 0207 673 1007

Sponsors

Accelerate - Automotive Award Sponsor

The automotive industry is experiencing some of the most difficult trading conditions it has ever seen, but even in this demanding climate we are still seeing daily examples of outstanding brilliance, unbelievable innovation and great determination in embracing the low carbon age.

It is for these very reasons that we are delighted and proud to be sponsoring the Automotive Award at this year’s Manufacture of the Year ceremony.

We live and breathe the supply chain; it’s what we do and enjoy. This prestigious national competition helps to recognise some of the companies that still make the sector so special and so vital to the development of the UK’s economy going forward.

Imserv - Sustainable Manufacturing Award Sponsor

IMServ is an industry leader in providing world class Carbon & Energy Solutions that help organisations in all sectors to save energy, reduce costs, control carbon and be greener. Our customers and alliances benefit from complete end-to-end outsourced solutions through to individual services to meet specific needs.

Three key areas of operation are designed to support IMServ customers in faster and more informed delivery against energy efficiency targets, the carbon reduction commitment, CSR and sustainability policies.

Data services reduce complexity and management overheads: from sophisticated metering and secure data collection to data for energy certificates, carbon reporting and verifying bills. Insight consultancy services take you a stage further, overlaying powerful analytics, benchmarking and strategy plus advanced bureau services and complete energy certification provision (DECs and EPCs). To enable sustained improvements, Carbon & Energy Saving services then deliver powerful new approaches: from improved alerts and controls, business process changes, and altering staff behaviour that can have a measurable impact right now to the long-term gains provided by implementing technology upgrades,.

Breadth of expertise and resources mean we can meet the needs of multiple interest groups, from energy teams in the private and public sector through alliance partners including energy consultants to utilities and energy providers. A fully independent service provider and part of Invensys Group, IMServ was founded in 1992, growing out of the UK energy industry. Today, our solutions and services are delivered by expert teams including Carbon & Energy Consultants, Carbon & Energy Managers, Project Managers and Engineers.

Kingston Smith - SME Manufacturer of the Year award

Kingston Smith is one of the fastest growing top 20 firms of Chartered Accountants with 53 partners spanning seven offices across London and the South East. Through supporting many owner-managed manufacturing & engineering businesses, we have developed a deeper understanding of the issues these businesses face. This enables us to offer practical, realistic advice and share areas of best practice to help our manufacturing clients succeed.

KPMG - Logistics and supply chain award
Operations & Maintenance award

KPMG in the UK is a leading provider of professional services including audit, tax, financial and risk advisory. KPMG in the UK has over 10,000 partners and staff working in 22 offices and is part of a strong global network of members firms. As part of KPMG Europe we have merged with our German and Swiss firms. This makes us the largest integrated accounting firm in Europe.

Our vision is simply stated to turn knowledge into value for the benefit of our clients, our people and our capital markets. Each of these areas we take very seriously. The quality of our advice and independence with which we offer it is greatly valued in the investor and business community.

Lauras International - Leadership and Strategy award

Lauras International are manufacturing consultants, specialists in hands-on implementation of non-capital improvement, notably across food, beverage, pharmaceutical and FMCG. The businesses achieves significantly greater and faster results than normally targeted - experienced operations managers apply a toolkit tailored for modern production and packing, and the change management model engages all levels of management and shop-floor. This unique dual bottom-up and top-down approach sees rapid improvement implemented by shop floor personnel, whilst managers focus on turning improvement into bottom line sustained benefit.

• Site programmes are relevant to manufacturers with a turnover of €20m to €100m
• Full business, multi roll out programmes are suitable for businesses with a turnover in excess of €100m.
• Improvement realised in Efficiency, Yield, Maintenance, Energy, Planning, Stock Holding, and NPD process.

Programmes deliver payback within four months, and come with a guarantee.

The Technology Strategy Board - Design and Innovation award

The Technology Strategy Board was established by the Government in July 2007. Its role: to work with business to stimulate technology-enabled innovation.

Between 2008 and 2011 the Technology Strategy Board is investing around £1bn, including partner contributions, in innovation – working across Government and in partnership with business, Government departments, RDAs, devolved administrations and research councils.

Programmes include collaborative research and development; networks and partnerships; and programmes to focus on key challenges and mobilise business to find innovative solutions.

The organisation’s vision: for the UK to be a global leader in innovation and a magnet for innovative businesses, where technology is applied rapidly, effectively and sustainably to create wealth and enhance quality of life.

Columbus IT - IT in Manufacturing Award Sponsor

Columbus IT are a consultancy led provider of business solutions for the manufacturing sector. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Columbus IT has a team of highly skilled consultants with a deep-rooted knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics and manufacturing, with over 6,000 successful implementations globally. Microsoft Dynamics is an adaptable business management solution that enables you and your people to make business decisions with greater confidence. It works like and with familiar Microsoft software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline your business processes and connect you with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps you drive business success.

LERC - Skills & Productivity award

LERC is one of the Business School's major research centres, with around 20 staff and a track record of innovative Research, Executive Education and Innovation & Engagement activities. It was founded by Professor Peter Hines and Daniel T Jones in 1994. The centre is part of the Business School's Logistics and Operations Management (LOM) section and is a contributor to the EPSRC Cardiff University Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre. We take a broad definition of the term ‘lean thinking’ – viewing it as more of a philosophy than a set of tools, encompassing all key business processes, which require an important linkage with organisational strategy.

Institute for Manufacturing -Export Manufacturer of the year award

Our research and education programmes are underpinned by close engagement with industry, facilitating the rapid transfer of new ideas into businesses. Researchers work with companies of all sizes and from a wide range of sectors to identify priorities and to test and refine new tools and techniques. Each year around 200 companies host projects for the IfM's undergraduate and post-graduate students, giving the students direct experience of many different industries and working environments. We also work with governments around the world, developing understanding of the policies required to support innovation and strong industrial growth.

IDC - Aerospace & Defense award

IDC Manufacturing Insights provides business and IT decision makers with fact-based research and analysis to inform and support critical business decisions. The global independent research and advisory ¬rm closely follows processes associated with the design, development, and distribution of goods across markets, including discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, high tech/electronics manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, and retail. IDC Manufacturing Insights' research and analysis is critical for end users, as well as hardware and software vendors, service providers, and purveyors of IT outsourcing. Founded in January 2005, IDC Manufacturing Insights is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, USA. IDC is

TBM - Food & Beverage award Pharmaceutical award

TBM Consulting Group is a leader in time-based management for the manufacturing and service sectors. The firm was founded in 1991 by Anand Sharma -- a twenty-year veteran of the manufacturing industry -- to help companies achieve growth, profitability, agility and productivity excellence. TBM's focus today is to provide enterprises around the world with the tools and vision associated with its LeanSigma TM culture and methodology.

With over 70 professionals in four continents, 7 countries speaking 8 languages, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Indian. TBM provides consulting services to a variety of industries. TBM's bias for action, which utilizes the Kaizen Breakthrough methodology to yield immediate ROI for its clients, is unique in the consulting industry. The firm strives for immediate and quantifiable productivity improvements enabling companies to create and sustain significant competitive advantage. TBM's hallmark is the elimination of waste and other obstacles to productivity, allowing client firms to grow without the need for new capital.

The Process Excellence Academy - World Class Manufacturing award

The Process Excellence Academy (PEx Academy) and its team of experienced consultants believe they have finally formulated a concept that is unique within the market, and has the ability to be dynamic enough to aid in the contemporary business environment. We know that many consultants claim to be unique in the services they provide and the methods they use. However, from our experiences what some consultancies claim to offer is not always seen in the end result.

Food and Drink Federation - Association partner

The Food and Drink Federation is the voice of the UK food and drink industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the country. FDF's membership comprises manufacturers of all sizes as well as trade associations and groups dealing with specific sectors of the industry.

Our role is to help our members operate in an appropriately regulated marketplace to maximise the effectiveness as well as their competitiveness. We communicate our industry's values and concerns to Government, regulators, consumers and the media. We also work in partnership with key players in the food chain to ensure our food is safe and that consumers can have trust in it.

In representing our members, FDF is focusing on three core priorities: Food Safety and Science; Health and Wellbeing; and, Sustainability and Competitiveness.

Epicor - Drinks reception sponsor

Epicor Software is a global leader delivering business software solutions to the manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality and services industries.

With 20,000 customers in over 150 countries, Epicor provides integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM) and enterprise retail software solutions that enable companies to drive increased efficiency and improve profitability.

Founded in 1984, Epicor celebrates 25 years of technology innovation delivering business solutions that provide the scalability and flexibility businesses need to build competitive advantage.

Palletline - Event brochure sponsor

The world’s very first pallet network system, Palletline continues to lead by example with an established reputation for innovation and service excellence.

Significant investment in new facilities combined with industry leading technology and advances in quality management systems have further increased the efficiency and reliability of the service, keeping Palletline at the forefront of development and innovation.

Widely recognised as the UK’s leading specialist in this highly competitive sector, Palletline continues to place the emphasis firmly on quality, reliability, and performance. Today, Palletline provides vital distribution links for customers across the UK and into mainland Europe, transporting an infinite variety of goods from foodstuffs and packaging through to electrical components.