January 2021

n NEWS NEWS n January 2021 www.drivesncontrols.com 8 MANUFACTURERS IN North West England that have been supported by Made Smarter, the initiative that is helping SMEs to adopt Industry 4.0 principles, are predicting that they will create more than 750 new jobs from £12.6m of investment Since launching two years ago, the North West technology adoption pilot has helped 1,131 businesses to introduce digital tools and technologies to boost their productivity and growth, and to navigate the impact of Covid-19. So far, 542 manufacturers have received support, including technology advice, digital transformation workshops, a leadership programme, and digital technology internships. Some 126 businesses have secured £3.2m of matched funding for 155 projects, worth £12.6m after private sector investment. They are developing projects using technologies such as 3D printing, augmented and virtual reality, and plant simulation. More than half of the projects (53.5%) have focussed on data and systems integration, 18% have involved robotics and automation, and 11% have involved the IIoT. The projects are predicted to deliver an extra £118.9m in gross value added to the North West economy over the coming three years, create 761 new jobs, and upskill 1,585 existing roles. More than 80% of the Made Smarter SMEs have reported improved productivity, and at least 25% have cut their carbon emissions. They are also benefiting from higher revenues, profits and exports, and lower energy bills. “I am delighted to see the positive impact that Made Smarter’s adoption pilot is having on individuals, businesses, the environment, and the UK economy,” says the initiative’s chair, Juergen Maier. “In the tumultuous times we face, it can be tempting to simply cut costs rather than invest. Yet, in the long term, this approach runs the risk of businesses getting left behind. For the UK manufacturing sector to thrive and become a world leader, we need to find ways to encourage innovation and the adoption of digital technologies.” As well as offering technological assistance, Made Smarter has helped manufacturers to develop digital strategies and new skills: n 91 manufacturers have attended Made Smarter’s digital transformation workshops which identify digital tools and technologies to improve their operations and boost growth; n 31 have benefited from digital technology internships which offer paid placements for students and graduates to work on technology projects, some of whom go on to full-time jobs; and n 64 of the region’s business leaders have attended the Made Smarter leadership programme, run in partnership with three local universities. “Over the past two years, the pilot has proven the value that technology can bring to the manufacturing sector,” comments the North West Pilot’s programme director, Donna Edwards. “We have helped hundreds of North West makers to start their digital journey by providing them with specialist advice to help them select the right approach, level of investment and tools for their business. “We have seen huge success with Made Smarter-supported businesses reporting growth, productivity and efficiency gains, job creation and high-value jobs,” she adds. “We’re also playing a crucial role in helping the UK reach its ambitious aim of net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050.” “Reaching 155 funded projects which will support 126 businesses, create over 750 new jobs, and the upskill almost 1,600 existing roles, is a tremendous achievement.” www.madesmarter.uk p Veruth Holdings , owner of Europa Components and other companies, is buying the Batley-based variable-speed drive and control systems integrator Oracle Drive Systems . John Mullins, who founded Oracle in 2004 along with two other former employees of Eurotherm Drives (which later became Parker SSD ), is staying on as sales director. Oracle recently opened new offices in Billingham and has taken on more project engineers and support staff. p The electrical, automation and ICT engineering services provider, Vinci Energies UK & RoI has acquired the Oundle-based systems integrator, panel-builder and electrical installer Eltek Systems to strengthen its industrial automation and process control capabilities and enhance its industrial brand, Actemium in the UK. Eltek, founded in 1983, employs 38 people. p The global sensor and interconnect supplier Amphenol is buying MTS Systems , which supplies sensors, test systems and motion simulators, for around $1.7bn, including the assumption of debt. The acquisition is in line with Amphenol’s strategy of expanding its range of sensor-based products across a wide array of industries. Amphenol plans to plans to review MTL’s test and simulation business. The transaction is expected to close by the middle of 2021. p Make UK is urging SMEs in theWest Midlands andWorcestershire to use a £12m fund to help them upskill staff and recover from Covid-19. The Supplier Skills Programme , which is part- funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and managed by Birmingham City Council, offers SMEs grants of £500-£18,000 to develop their workforce in various skills. The programme aims to upskill more than 7,000 employees and will run until March 2023. www.birmingham.gov.uk/ssp p The New Zealand based soft-start manufacturer AuCom is expanding its production capacity and staffing in Germany to manufacture IEC products for which it says there is increasing demand. It expects to meet 20% of this demand locally this year, rising to 50% by 2022. Aucom was acquired last year by the US motor controls specialist, Benshaw . p Messe München , organiser of the German robotics and automation exhibition, automatica has announced a“compact”event that will be held this year before the full automatica returns in 2022. Called automatica sprint , it will take place in Munich from 22-24 June, 2021. There will be fixed stand sizes and new cancellation options. This aim is to offer flexibility during the Covid-19 period. It has been designed as both a physical and a digital event. If it is not possible to hold the physical event, the digital version will still go ahead. www.automatica-munich.com p The industrial robot supplier TM Robotics is to distribute Magnetic Technologies ’magnetic brakes to the UK. The partnership complements TM’s existing role as distributor for Mobac , the German manufacturer of drive technologies for wire and cable applications. TM also distributes industrial robots from Shibaura Machine , formerly Toshiba Machine . NEWS BRIEFS Made Smarter funded manufacturers expect to create 750 jobs The North West Pilot’s programme director, Donna Edwards: helped hundreds of manufacturers to embark on their digital journeys