Engineering Growth

Automation has been proven to increase a company’s level of competitiveness, profitability and productivity, yet it’s apparent the UK in general lacks behind in the uptake of these technologies. To help UK industry develop and implement automation systems, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) offers support and practical advice to manufacturing companies.

In this final episode in our series on automation, we again talk to two of the MTC’s leading automation specialists Philip Jackson and Sylvain Briand, to discover how the MTC can help companies make automation work for them.

Different companies have different requirements from automation, so we explore how to make sure your company’s production methods are compatible. We also look at how an SME can assess whether a specific set of tasks are suited for automation, and what skillsets are required to make automation a success.   

Finally, we discuss what are the critical elements that your company should include when you are specifying your automation requirements.

The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult – this is an initiative supported by Innovate UK and consists of 7 technology and innovation centres across the UK with a vision to work with companies of all sizes to bridge the gap from concept to commercialisation. All the centres offer access to leading edge equipment, expertise and an environment for industry collaboration.

Enjoy the episode.

Automation has been proven to increase a company’s level of competitiveness, profitability and productivity, yet it’s apparent the UK in general lacks behind in the uptake of these technologies. To help UK industry develop and implement automation systems, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) offers support and practical advice to manufacturing companies.

In this second of 3 episodes, we talk to one of the MTC’s leading automation specialists Philip Jackson to discover how the MTC can help manufacturing and engineering companies make the right decision when it comes to adopting automation for their businesses.   

With the additional company of MTC’s Business Development Director Sylvain Briand, we explore the reasons why a business should adopt automation in the first place and how they can identify the opportunities to do so. 

We consider how best to match automation technologies to the tasks in hand as well as how best to engage with vendors and system integrators. Finally, we look at how companies can evaluate responses from the system integrators, to understand the technology and maximise their investment.  

The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult – this is an initiative supported by Innovate UK and consists of 7 technology and innovation centres across the UK with a vision to work with companies of all sizes to bridge the gap from concept to commercialisation. All the centres offer access to leading edge equipment, expertise and an environment for industry collaboration.

 Enjoy the episode.

Automation has been proven to increase a company’s level of competitiveness, profitability and productivity, yet it’s apparent the UK in general lacks behind in the uptake of these technologies. To help UK industry develop and implement automation systems, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) offers support and practical advice to manufacturing companies.

In the first of 3 specially recorded episodes, we talk to one of the MTC’s leading automation specialists Philip Jackson to discover how companies can better adopt automation systems. We are also joined by the MTC’s Business Development Director Sylvain Briand. Together, we look at what the MTC can offer companies, why is automation important and what steps manufacturers can take to adopt automation into their current manufacturing processes.

The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult – this is an initiative supported by Innovate UK and consists of 7 technology and innovation centres across the UK with a vision to work with companies of all sizes to bridge the gap from concept to commercialisation. All the centres offer access to leading edge equipment, expertise and an environment for industry collaboration.

Enjoy the episode!

Welcome to our fortnightly round-up of all things engineering-related. We’ve pulled together a selection of news stories that have caught our eye in the last 14 days, and that you may have missed.     

In this episode, we welcome our new co-host Zoe Howes to discuss the use of holograms in operating theatres,  a £35million contract to manufacture new police patrol boats on Merseyside, investment by Rolls Royce into electric planes and National Splurge Day! Who knew.

And of course, given it is National Spurge Day, and a Friday, you would have expected us to have splurged out on fish and chips... but unfortunately we didn't!! Ah well, maybe next time.
  
Enjoy the podcast. 

In this episode, we meet Pete Burden, CEO of the KDC Group. 

KDC is a project outsourcing and resources management provider to the Aerospace and Defence sectors. It has two distinct arms to its business: KDC Projects is an engineering consultancy business and KDC Resource provides skilled engineering personnel to fulfil permanent and contract requirements. 

We talk to Pete about how the last 12 months has impacted on his business, what are some of the challenges he has overcome in building the business to where it is today and how he sees the next 12 months as the aerospace sector in particular struggles to recover from a deeply damaging pandemic.

We also discover why the recording of this particular podcast was delayed, and a surprising hobby that keeps Pete busy.

Enjoy the podcast. 

We talk to Richard Blake, from Hampshire-based GW Martin Engineering. The company recently celebrated its 50th year in business supplying a complete precision engineering CNC machining service to provide components to the Defence, Automotive, Medical, Electrical, Vacuum and Filtration sectors. In addition, GW Martin offers assembly, stock holding and management of subcontract treatments.

We discuss how investment in key machinery and processes has enabled the company to continue to expand, whilst retaining flexibility to adapt to a changing order book. We look at how the last 12 months has affected the business, and what plans it has to emerge from the pandemic both stronger and more determined. 

This is our fortnightly round-up of all things engineering-related. We’ve pulled together a selection of news stories that have caught our eye in the last 14 days, and that you may have missed.  

In this episode, we discuss the latest report from the CBI on the UK Manufacturing sector covering the 1st quarter of 2021. It's an encouraging picture with optimism across the board for future growth in the sector. In addition we look at the engineering feat that is the new Dreadnought Nuclear Submarine programme run by BAE and the contribution it is making, and will continue to make, to the UK manufacturing industry.    

The other exciting revelation to come out from this episode is the fact that the fish and chips actually arrived this week, which was definitely 'batter' news all round! Enjoy the podcast.

Welcome to our fortnightly round-up of all things engineering-related. We've pulled together a selection of news stories that have caught our eye in the last 14 days, and that you may have missed.     

In this episode, we discuss the re-launch of a hybrid airship, 3D printing of lithium batteries, how electric car sales are taking off in the UK and the news that MP's have asked the prime minister to consider putting manufacturing skills at the heart of the national curriculum. 

In fact the only missing element is our Friday fish and chips... maybe next week! Enjoy the podcast. 

For many engineering businesses the last 12 months have stretched them to breaking point, and for some sadly, beyond that. However, out of the despair, there are many tales of hope and success, one of which is Iracroft. Lead by ex-Armed Forces leader Darren Colley, the company tackled lockdowns head-on and has emerged in a strong position thanks to some determined leadership and a willing and committed workforce.

Iracroft, based in Dorset but servicing the UK, has exciting plans to develop its business in 2021, having weathered the storm of 2020, including contributing directly to the front line by manufacturing equipment for the Nightingale hospitals.

We talk to Darren about leading Iracroft through the pandemic and also his life in the Forces, and how after 22 years he has adapted to life in the 'civilian' world and what advice he has for fellow Service personnel following a similar path.

Welcome to our first Engineering News update, or as we like to call it... Fish and Chip Friday! We round up a selection of engineering sector news that has caught our eye over the last couple of weeks and that you may have missed. 

In this episode, we discuss the latest South West region Manufacturing report and what it indicates about the state of the sector, as we negotiate our way through the double whammy of the Covid pandemic and Brexit.

We also cover Formula 1, Extreme E sports, electric ferries and helicopters on the moon - all essential topics for the average engineer.  Oh, and the fish and chips... well they were absent this week, but will be present next time. Enjoy the podcast.