The Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Alliance (METALL) will launch on July 12 and aims to unite firms in Sussex and south Surrey to promote good practice, share experience and provide problem solving opportunities.
Sponsored by Gatwick and Sussex-based chartered accountants, Carpenter Box and asb law, METALL succeeds the Sussex Manufacturing Forum but widens the scope of membership to the engineering and technology communities, as well as geographically.
The first METALL breakfast meeting on July 12 will be held at The Roffey Park Institute, Horsham, between 08:00 and 11:00.
If you work in the manufacturing, engineering or technology sectors, you can register for the event through the sign-up form here.
Each event will be based around a proven format where attendees will hear from experts and specialists on a particular subject, followed by a roundtable opportunity to discuss wider issues.
The launch event will focus on the subject of innovation – Developing a Culture of Innovation.
Guest speakers include Dr Robert Pearson, Product Line director at Cobham Antenna Systems, and Dr Zoe Webster, head of High Value Manufacturing at Innovate UK.
They will be looking at what innovation means together with some route maps on how businesses can achieve and fund it.
Carpenter Box partner and ex-engineer, Chris Coopey, who helps to facilitate the events, explained: “METALL will primarily be about helping the sector to improve and grow.
“It will look to make a difference by coalescing opinion and sharing experience around such things as skills and apprentice training, funding, transport infrastructure and localisation of supply chains.
“It will also be discussing the future and the next industrial revolution, which will be around automation, data and technology and will see the logical and seamless convergence of computing, engineering and manufacturing. All in all, something of value to anyone in the sector.”