Government and regional MPs, global OEMs and leading small and medium companies from the Sheffield City Region will gather in Westminster on Feb 26 to launch the 2013 Global Manufacturing Festival (GMF), which is held in Sheffield between 17-19 April 2013.
Launched in London, Tuesday February 26, the Global Manufacturing Festival aims to reinforce Sheffield City Region as the focal point of the UK for advanced manufacturing and engineering expertise and processes.
The launch will cover several key manufacturing industry objectives needed to grow the manufacturing sector and re-balance the UK economy, including the need to boost international trade and the importance of developing future skills and technical capabilities.
It will highlight the significance of the Sheffield City Region’s part in achieving these objectives, the aspirations of the multinational companies involved in the Festival and how government and trade bodies can help facilitate growth.
The launch programme includes a roundtable discussion which will debate the agenda for advanced manufacturing in the UK and what the Festival can do to help the sector grow. President of Boeing UK Sir Roger Bone, chief executive of manufacturing body EEF Terry Scuoler, and Dr Hamid Mughal, executive vice president of manufacturing, engineering and technology at Rolls-Royce, will be guest panellists.
Boeing is a founding sponsor of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Rotherham, the venue for the Festival exhibition on April 18.
Other global companies involved in the Festival including sponsors Tata Steel and Siemens, as well as Rolls-Royce and steel components manufacturer Firth Rixson.
The launch will feature the University of Sheffield AMRC’s Manufacturing Transporter, or Mantra truck, a travelling demonstration of advanced engineering for schools and events, and several government ministers will attend the launch day.
Master Cutler of the Cutlers Company of Hallamshire, Neil MacDonald, one of the key organisers behind the Festival, said: “2013 sees the third annual Global Manufacturing Festival, and the event is now firmly established on the national business calendar.
“We are delighted that this year it will be held at the AMRC, which in just a few years has become a world class research and manufacturing facility and the exemplar of what can be achieved when the private and public sector work together. Boeing have been partners in the venture from the start, so it is a great honour that Sir Roger Bone will be attending the official London launch of the 2013 festival.”
Attendance to the Festival is free, but exclusive factory visits will require a small entrance fee. Delegates need to be registered for the events they wish to attend. The full event programme will be announced at the end of January and registration will open at the same time.
Huthwaite International, sponsors of the GMF Launch, are actively engaged in improving sales awareness and commercial effectiveness across the manufacturing and industrial sectors, working with clients of all sizes to improve their sales, negotiation and coaching skills.
For all the latest information regarding the Global Manufacturing Festival 2013 visit www.globalmanufacturingfestival.com
Nabarro, NatWest, Siemens, Sheffield City Region LEP, Tata Steel and The University of Sheffield are sponsors of the GMF 2013.
