Widely regarded as the backbone of the German economy, there is a distinct lack of a British-based ‘Mittelstand’ – i.e. family-owned companies (or have fostered a strong family-esque corporate culture), with a long-term focus, invest in their workforce and technology, and benefit from high levels of flexibility, agility and innovation.
Yet they do exist, as Leicestershire’s JJ Churchill proves. Nick Peters reports on this family-owned precision engineering business, whose story includes war, espionage and the dawn of the jet age.
We also visit Cambridge-based Marshall Aerospace, the business taking 3D printing to new heights with flight-ready production parts; we explore whether UK supply chains are fit for the 21st century; and we interview Henrik von Scheel – the man who invented ‘Industry 4.0’.
Elsewhere, we look ahead to Digital Manufacturing Week 2019 with a special preview detailing all the features and events that help make this the world’s best manufacturing show – and you’re invited!
