drives & controls - Industrial Technology Magazine

INDUSTRY NEWSwww.industrialtechnology.co.ukManufacturing strategysets out high value plansThe Government’s newly publishedmanufacturing strategy sets out aclear long term plan for how highvalue industry can contribute to amodern, balanced economyThe Government has revealed its new strategy for the UK’smanufacturing sector, which aims to provide UK firms withthe assistance and advice they need to take advantage of thechanging global trends in manufacturing. The strategy is setto bring nearly £150m of medium support for UK manufacturing,and relays the Government’s view of what the sector needs forsuccess in the long term. These include: developing low carbontechnology; supporting and promoting skills; realising overseasopportunities; improving technology networks; changing the UKperception of the manufacturing sector; and making the most ofintangiblesThe Government, despite the recent economic downturns,believes that the UK manufacturing sector has reason to beconfident. Citing open and flexible markets as the means for thesector to respond to the current challenging circumstances, thestrategy also reinforces the importance of manufacturing for the UKeconomy, and the support which Government is prepared to give toensure its survival.The aim of the strategy is to help more manufacturers move upthe value chain and to reap the benefits of high-skilled, knowledgeintensivemanufacturing operations. It recognises that the bestBritish manufacturers match the best in the world in new productdevelopment, innovative manufacturing processes, marketing andservices – all elements of the increasingly complex value chain. Nowthe goal is to ensure that far more companies match the success ofthe best.Commenting on the launch of the updated manufacturingstrategy, the CBI’s Chief Economic Adviser, Ian McCafferty, said:“Determining how UK manufacturing can best take advantage of thechallenges and opportunities of the 21st Century was a muchneeded exercise. The government’s new framework contains somefresh thinking – with a welcome emphasis on improvingmanufacturing skills, its public image, technology and the low carboneconomy. It must now deliver on its plans. To achieve success, thegovernment will also need to put in place a coherent procurementstrategy that enables industry to invest with confidence for the longterm.”EEF Chairman, Martin Temple, said: “The strategy sets out apositive and clear understanding of how manufacturing hasrestructured itself and the role that it can play as a high valuecontributor to a balanced economy. Government must take everyopportunity to drive home this message. “The next step as with allsuch announcements is to deliver and back the positive words withfirm actions of intent and support.However, Temple added that there remains an immediate shortterm need to help industry and the wider economy through thecurrent global economic turmoil. “This is a strategy for the long termand one we applaud. However, it does not detract from the need touse policy in the short term to help companies through the currentturmoil and ensure they are in a position to take advantage of theupturn.”EEF particularly welcomed a number of measures, with the firstbeing the positive view of how manufacturing has performed, how itis changing and what it contributes to the UK. EEF believes thatgovernment must continue to reinforce this message to keystakeholders and the public at every opportunity to promote a muchbetter understanding of the opportunities available in a thrivingindustry. Secondly, EEF welcomed the commitment to develop anindustrial strategy to realise the business opportunities associatedwith a low carbon economy and measures to ensure UK businessgets a significant chunk of any new business.EEF was also enthusiastic about the intention to address theimage of the sector through the ‘Manufacturing Insight Programme’,together with a ’Manufacturing the Future’ campaign in schools topromote a better understanding industry, its contribution to theeconomy and the careers available. Finally, EEF welcomed theexpansion of Apprenticeships by inviting bids from largemanufacturers to train additionalapprentices including for theirsupply chain. It also welcomed theefforts to simplify the skills system,though business will need to beconvinced that real progress isbeing made.Investment inskills will paybig returnsInvestment in engineeringand science skills can payback five fold – that wasthe message for Secretary ofState John Denham fromskills council Semta. DIUShas given the science,engineering andmanufacturing sector accessto £65million in a skillsfunding compact to improvecompetitiveness so theSecretary of State was keento hear what kind of returnon investment he couldexpect.Pilots in the WestMidlands region found thatwith government seedfunding of £18,000,companies achieved anaverage of £94,000 inprofit improvement in asingle year – a five foldpayback. Rolled out to just50 companies in eachEnglish region, thisapproach could reap a £42million sustainableimprovement in profit and2,400 B-IT trainedemployees. Moreover B-ITprogrammes managed bySemta’s new National SkillsAcademy for Manufacturinghave already producedaround £2.7 million insavings across eightcompanies.Denham commented:“Investment in skills paysdividends for individuals,companies and industries,and I congratulate Semtaon its admirable record ofworking with governmentand individual firms todeliver the world-classtraining the sector needs tosucceed. This Government,in partnership with Semta,will go further to make surecompanies get the trainingthey need, when they needit.”customised solutionsSpecialists in Brake MotorsFor stopping any applicationTo order a catalogue please contact us below.For the very latestproduct information,most up to date industrynews, plus companyprofile information, visitthe pages of IndustrialTechnology online atindustrialtechnology.co.ukTel. 01270 270022 Email. lafertuk@lafert.com www.lafert.com8More details: Write in 80 on the free information card