The Manufacturer Directors' Conference 2013

Our Milton Keynes facility is the centre of our UK success where we design, build, test and commission bespoke robotic manufacturing cells. Supplying systems to the automotive and metal fabrication industries, we have a number of demonstration suites which enable companies to trial the latest developments in robot welding technology.  We also work with a network of experienced partners to implement robot solutions to numerous other industries, e.g., food and beverage, pharmaceutical, plastics, foundry, aerospace, education, 3C, wood and solar. Equipped with the technology to deal with a wealth of applications, ABB robots can be used for welding, assembly, cleaning, painting, de-burring, cutting, machine tending, packing and palletising amongst many others.

The introduction of robotics to UK and Irish manufacturing has delivered increased productivity and efficiency. Robots also enhances business’ capability both to innovate and up-skill its workforce. These benefits mean that robotic automation can help UK manufacturers stay ahead of the competition at a time when advanced manufacturing is sweeping the globe. Moreover the benefits that robotic automation brings means that production processes that once were “off-shored” from the UK are now kept competitive “on-shore” – a positive boost for UK jobs, GDP and engineering an Automation Nation.

BARA  – The British Automation and Robot Association provides a voice for the Robot and Automation Industries, when dealing with government, industry, financial and academic institutions.

The aim of BARA is to promote the use of, and assist in the development of Automation in British industry. In 2009 BARA joined forces with the PPMA (Processing & Packaging Machinery Association) and has gathered more influence, members and provides more support to the end-user community. With the PPMA, BARA speaks with a truly representative industry voice. The BARA council that meets periodically provides strategic direction to the Association.

BARA members are widely represented at the Annual PPMA Show which actively demonstrates how automation and robots can provide solutions to UK manufacturing. See www.ppmashow.co.uk

BARA is part of the PPMA Group of four Trade Associations, the principal objective being simply “To help members sell more products and services” See www.Bara.org.uk

B&R Automation is one of the largest privately owned industrial automation companies in the world. Based in Austria, B&R focuses on innovation and flexible modular design in our quest for perfection in automation. Combined with our global service footprint and diagnostic capabilities, we add value to our customers and help improve their bottom line. Learn more at www.br-automation.com

Bytronic are specialists in providing machine vision and intelligent manufacturing systems that guarantee quality and improve performance.

Founded in 1997, Bytronic is now the leading independent expert in designing and implementing innovative manufacturing systems for many of the world’s largest companies.

Bytronic is the only Cognex Platinum Partner System Integrator in the UK. We specialise in delivering harmonised systems worldwide for customers such as Unilever, P&G and Coca-Cola Enterprises.

At Bytronic we work with our customers to develop a true business partnership. We design, develop and install systems, integrating them with production equipment, factory networks, MES, and enterprise-level management systems. We manage the entire project from problem definition through design and test to seamless integration with the customer’s operations, minimising disruption to their business.

We deliver directly, through our network of agents or by working with customer’s local teams. All aspects of project delivery, from design and development, through implementation, training and support and including networking and interfaces are dealt with by the Bytronic team.

Whether it’s a total MES solution, machine inspection & measurement, industrial networks, manufacturing data management, or automated test equipment, Bytronic can help. We bring unparalleled specialist skills and market leading technology together for the best possible integrated solution.

Solutions with Vision

Lloyds Bank is committed and focused on supporting UK manufacturers on their journey through the economic cycle. We have achieved our commitment to provide manufacturers with an additional £1bn of lending over the year from September 2012 within nine months and we will continue supporting this key market. This lending commitment has helped manufacturers to drive growth in the sector.

As part of our commitment to UK manufacturing, we have invested in a team of relationship managers throughout the UK who are trained and accredited in manufacturing awareness by the Warwick Manufacturing Group, ensuring they have sector-specific knowledge and greater understanding of manufacturer’s commercial business banking needs.

We aim to be the bank of choice for manufacturing businesses, strengthening our links with a number of trade bodies and a network of sector specialists, government agencies and finance providers, enabling us to develop banking solutions in response to changing economic conditions.

Our knowledgeable managers understand manufacturing and the supply chains within which manufacturers operate. The Bank’s risk appetite reflects a deep understanding of sector economic cycles and the main drivers of successful businesses within these. For further information about our manufacturing sector support visit www.lloydstsb.com/manufacturing

PP Electrical Systems are an acknowledged leader in the provision of control and automation solutions to many World leading OEMs across a diverse range of industries, including; machine tool, food processing, packaging, printing, scientific equipment and semiconductor processing. The UK manufacturing site in the West Midlands employs over 200 people in a lean six sigma production facility with a high degree of investment in automation – ensuring the very highest levels of quality and agility can be offered to the customer.

The company supplies a range of;

• Electrical control panels
• Electronic Assemblies
• Mechatronics
• Electro-pneumatics
• Cable assemblies

The focus is on providing the customer with a unique solution that delivers a business benefit, ensuring that overall manufacturing costs can be reduced and significant benefits can be derived from outsourcing non-core competences.

The company can offer a full design and manufacturing solution in relation to UL508A ( for the US and Canadian Markets), as well as design compliance for European standards and advice on safety legislation.

Part of the MAN Group ( Midland Assembly Network – www.man-group.co.uk  ) , PP can leverage of a vast array of complementary design and engineering skills, including;

• Mechanical engineering / sheet metal / machined parts
• PCBA design and build
• Plastic Moulding
• Die Casting
• Precision Pressing and chemical etching.

This allows us to provide a complete and innovative manufacturing solution that delivers guaranteed results for our customers across their entire scope of machine design and operation.

Fully committed to supporting manufacturers, we appreciate you are looking for something different from your bank. The complex nature of your business requires support from a bank that understands your industry, will deliver on its promises and believes in building long-term relationships.

We will work with you to find a finance package that meets your needs. We have a range of products available to help you manage your day-to-day cash flow, purchase essential equipment, invest for growth and mitigate financial risks when trading in both domestic and international markets.

Underpinning this is the global strength of the Santander Group. With 5 million business customers worldwide, we have both the expertise and the reach to enable manufacturing businesses to expand their business and grow their balance sheet.

In the UK, Siemens have been active for over 170 years and in fiscal 2016, generated revenues of £5bn, employing around 15,000 people, including about 5,000 in the manufacturing sector, with 14 manufacturing sites and more than 25 major offices.

We provide innovative solutions to help tackle the UK’s major challenges in Industry, providing digital solutions to help manufacturers to increase productivity, efficiency and create progressively innovative products to drive the transformation towards the digital enterprise.

The high-technology company TRUMPF provides manufacturing solutions in the fields of machine tools, lasers and electronics. As an independent family business, we think and act long-term. Our drive to shape the future makes us a guarantor of continuous innovation.

Together with our customers we identify the optimal and most cost efficient production process covering every stage in the sheet metal process chain: machines, tools, automation, software and services. Whatever you want to produce, TRUMPF is at your side from the initial idea to the finished component.

Our products are used by subcontractors and Original Equipment Manufacturers in the most diverse industries including aerospace, automotive, climate and energy, electrics and electronics, furniture and lighting, medical, oil and gas, safety and defence, scientific research, white goods and yellow goods.

By combining expertise with an in-depth understanding of customer requirements, the professional team at TRUMPF can support your business to be successful and create real competitive advantages.

Weidmüller – Your Partner in Industrial Connectivity

As experienced experts we support our customers and partners around the world with products, solutions and services in the industrial environment of power, signal and data. We are at home in their industries and markets and know the technological challenges of tomorrow. We are therefore continuously developing innovative, sustainable and useful solutions for their individual needs.

The industrial environment is full of areas that need to be connected, controlled and optimised. We are absolutely committed to always providing the best connection possible, not only through our solutions but also in the human connections we maintain.

Together we set standards in Industrial Connectivity.

The Weidmüller Group owns manufacturing plants, sales companies and representatives in more than 80 countries.

In its fiscal year 2015 Weidmüller reached sales of 696 million Euros with 4.500 employees.

GAMBICA is the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK. It has membership of over 200 companies including the major multinationals in the sector as well as smaller and medium sized companies.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows total output of the industry represented by GAMBICA close to £6.9 billion with exports of £3.7 billion and a positive trade balance just over £260 million.

The Association’s primary objectives are to further the successful development of the industry and to promote the competitiveness and profitability of member companies.

The scope of the Association covers five industry sectors:

• Industrial automation products and systems
• Process control and instrumentation
• Environmental analysis and monitoring equipment
• Laboratory technology
• Test and measurement equipment for electrical and electronics industries

The Manufacturing Technology Centre: Inspiring Great British Manufacturing

The MTC represents one of the largest public sector investments in manufacturing for many years and is housed in a 12,000 square metre purpose built facility at Ansty Park, Coventry. It is a partnership between some of the UK’s major global manufacturers and the universities of Birmingham, Nottingham and Loughborough, and TWI Ltd. The MTC is an open access centre and has more than 50 industrial members representing large OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and SMEs. MTC is one of the elite UK centres that form the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, set up by the Technology Strategy Board to provide a stimulus for British manufacturing and deliver manufacturing and process technology support to industry.

The Manufacturing Technologies Association is a trade association for companies working in the engineering-based manufacturing sector. Many of its members are involved in the construction and supply of manufacturing technology whilst other members deploy these technologies, and some are involved in providing services to the industry.

Manufacturing technology is where manufacturing begins. It is the advanced machinery, equipment and intellectual property that enable the creation of the products we rely on from day to day and that drive our economy.

Machine tools are used across every sector of engineering to shape and form the parts that make up everything from the latest fighter jet to the most innovative surgical implant. Other aspects of manufacturing technology such as metrology (measuring) equipment, robotics and computer aided design and manufacturing systems (CAD/CAM) combine with the machines, tooling and work-holding equipment to make up complete systems, increasingly automated and adaptive, that manufacturers deploy, making the sector fundamental to the nation’s economy.

The MTA’s key activities are:

• Representing engineering based manufacturing and supporting the advanced engineering sector through advocacy, media contact and networking.
• Providing relevant and specific industry intelligence as well as the latest developments in research and technology.
• Encouraging talent through funding and support for workplace training and education initiatives in schools, colleges and universities.
• Delivering the UK’s only major exhibition focused on manufacturing technologies – MACH