April 2021

News 0 8 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk April 2021 Having been forced to withdraw from staging its annual awards dinner and presentation ceremony last year, due to the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the AEMT is eagerly anticipating its return later this year. Originally scheduled for its regular slot in November 2020, following hugely successful events in each of the preceding three years, the Gala Awards Ceremony will now take place on the evening of Thursday 18th November 2021, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Coventry. The associated AEMT Conference will also move to this new dateline, and will be staged throughout the day, prior to presentation dinner in the evening. Information on the conference, its programme, and speakers, will be available shortly. The 2021 AEMT Gala Awards Dinner will once again bring together the electrical and mechanical trades sector in a celebration of business and professional excellence. Recognising and rewarding the achievements of both individuals and companies operating within the repair and maintenance arena, personal endeavour, product innovation, skills training, engineering advancement and commercial acumen will be acknowledged and celebrated. The awards will again acknowledge the skill, effort and sheer dedication of the people and businesses serving this important sector of industry. With sponsorship provided by a host of leading industry names, including ABB, Drives & Controls, EMIR Software, Fanuc UK, Menzel Motors, Musk Process Services, Plant & Works Engineering, and Wilson Fans, Pumps & Motors Group, well deserved industry-wide recognition will be given to those businesses and individuals that are excelling in their commercial endeavours. The following seven categories make up the 2020/21 awards programme: Product of the Year – sponsored by PWE magazine Project of the Year – sponsored by EMIR Software Service Centre of the Year – sponsored by ABB Supplier of the Year – sponsored by Drives & Controls Contribution to Skills & Training Award – sponsored by Musk Process Services Rising Star Award – sponsored by FANUC UK Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by AEMT Entries are now being sought for any company, product, application, or individual involved in the supply, installation, service, maintenance and repair of industrial machinery technology such as electric motors, drives, pumps, fans, gearboxes, generators, transformers, switchgear, and ancillary equipment. Individuals can put forward entries for themselves and their own company, or they can nominate others that they know merit recognition. The entry process could not be easier, so anyone wishing to play their part in highlighting engineering excellence should visit the AEMT Awards website – www.aemtawards.com – and complete the simple online entry form. The closing date for all entries has been set for 5pm on Friday 10th September 2021 and it is free to enter. AEMT Awards set to return in November Having been given the political roadmap out of the pandemic and a view of a return to some sort of normality the Chancellor presented the economic roadmap out of the recovery in the recent Budget. Overall, given the difficult circumstances the economy and sector has faced we welcomed the certainty and clarity he has provided about the route forward, at least in the short-term. The statement pursued a positive and fair middle road which balanced the need to avoid squeezing the recovery before it has started, whilst avoiding any artificial boost given the inevitable strong bounce-back once the economy begins to open up. Make UK had campaigned hard for an extension of the furlough scheme which was a welcome step but the most eye-catching announcements concerned the rise in Corporation Tax which was balanced by the ‘super-deduction tax’ with the aim of boosting levels of investment which have been hit significantly. Whilst the sharp rise in Corporation Tax would not be welcomed by many, at such a challenging time, a rise was probably inevitable in the interest of fairness and the need to pay back the substantial help that business has received. While the ‘super-deduction’ tax is a clear recognition that we urgently need an investment-led recovery, it remains to be seen how far it will just bring planned investment forward, or whether a period of two years is too short given the length of some investment cycles. The promise to consult on further changes to R&D is also welcome and Government must now move urgently to implement this so further policies to boost levels can be brought forward. The one thing that still remains absent, however, is a clear plan for the long term vision of the economy. Having provided the short-term route forward Government must now seize the opportunity provided by new technologies and the drive towards net zero to set out a longer term vision for the economy. This must include a long-term Industrial Strategy which looks ahead twenty years and involves a laser like focus on innovation based on a partnership between the public and private sectors, together with our world class science base. By MAKE UK chief executive, Stephen Phipson MAKE uk - the manufacturers’ organisation monthly news comment