machine building & automation - Industrial Technology Magazine

INDUSTRY NEWSAre we heading forEuropean shortageof engineers?A potential shortage of trained engineers hasbeen confirmed through independent researchby the European Federation of NationalEngineering Associations (FEANI)FEANI has identified that whilsta potential shortage ofengineers varies from countryto country, it seems that in Europe asa whole the number of studentsenrolling in science and engineeringcourses is simply not high enough tosatisfy industry’s current needs.Dave Westbury, engineering andtechnical services manager at SMC inthe UK says: “We are reallyconcerned for the industry that theseresearch findings indicate a reductionof young people selecting engineeringfor their future career.”In view of the need for moreengineers in Europe, FEANI is nowconsidering undertaking a mediafocusedrepositioning campaign tomake European engineering moreattractive to students usingcommunication messages such as,“Engineers Make A World OfDifference” and “Engineers HelpShape The Future”. With a new EU2020 Strategy to help promote andaddress this recruitment problem,FEANI has already confirmed that theemphasis will be to strongly linkengineering and engineers toinnovation.Westbury concludes: “Weapplaud the use of thiscommunications campaign by FEANIto help change the misconceptionsthat some students may have aboutengineering. As an organisation thatdevelops around 40-50 new orupdated products each year andbrings the latest developments inautomation technology to Europeanstudents through our InternationalTraining Division we also firmlybelieve that both innovation andengineering are inextricably linked.”SMC, which credits its continuedsuccess in Europe to its engineeringstrength, remains firmly committed tohaving the largest fully trainedtechnical sales teams in theirelectro/pneumatic industry sector.www.smcpneumatics.co.ukRS introduces its ownrange of quality productsRS Components (RS) hasintroduced its own range ofproducts, ‘RS Essentials’,designed to deliver major costreductions without ever compromisingon quality. RS has always providedthe widest range of products,competitive pricing and industryleadingservice. Now it has put allthis into its own wide range ofproducts across key technologies. ‘RSEssentials’ offers more choice withcost savings when compared to theleading brands.Over the years, RS has learned alot from its customers and has builtup a vast knowledge-base of whatthey need to operate efficiently andwhat they expect from the productsthey buy. It is this knowledge,together with keeping pace withtechnological developments, whichhas enabled RS to create its hugeown-brand range combining bestvalue with best quality. The ‘RSEssentials’ range comprises over30,000 products.‘RS Essentials’ products providereal value for money. Prices areregularly checked so that they stayahead, and in these difficult timeswhen margins are squeezed, RS saysthat choosing ‘RS Essentials’ will savecustomers money. On average, ‘RSEssentials’ are 20% cheaper thanmanufacturer prices, with some itemsoffering even greater savings.http://rswww.com10INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • November 2010