May 2021

News May 2021 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 0 7 SME manufacturers supported by Made Smarter are using technology to save pounds and the planet. Businesses working with the technology adoption programme are investing in new machinery and digital tools to make their buildings, equipment, manufacturing and transport processes more efficient, use less energy, and produce less waste. Additionally, some manufacturers are supplementing this with measures like switching to LED lighting in their factories to slash electricity bills; and investing in renewable energy sources and biomass boilers to power their plants. As a result, manufacturers are reducing costs, boosting profit margins, and increasing competitiveness, helping them navigate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and paving a path to recovery and growth with a new resilience. The 187 technology projects supported by Made Smarter are forecast to deliver an additional £147.8M in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy over the next three years. The drive towards a more sustainable approach to manufacturing is reducing the businesses’ carbon footprint and impact on the environment, helping the UK achieve its ambitious net zero target by 2050. Donna Edwards, North West Adoption Programme Director at Made Smarter, commented: “Climate change can no longer be ignored. The manufacturing industry, together with the transport and storage industries, produce 15% of the UK’s greenhouse gases. “Manufacturers are facing pressure to become more sustainable from their own employees, customers, the government, investors, and wider communities. “Technology has played an incredibly important part in enabling businesses to navigate the pandemic and recover. There is no doubt that digital tools are also key to addressing the challenge of decarbonisation and help the UK achieve its net-zero aim. “Digitalisation offers a huge opportunity for manufacturers to deliver operational efficiencies, decarbonise heat and power, optimise design and materials, and improve logistics and transport, benefitting their business, their bottom line and the environment. “It is encouraging that so many Made Smarter supported manufacturers have started this journey and found the sustainability sweet spot between these economic, social, and environmental goals.” Made Smarter manufacturers use technology to save pounds and the planet Combilift, the Irish manufacturer of a wide range of handling solutions, has won its 10th industry award from the Forklift Truck Association for one of its latest products. The 2020 FLTA Awards for Excellence took place virtually on Saturday 10th April, having been postponed from last year due to COVID-19. The recently introduced Combi-CBE model - the world’s first counterbalance design, multidirectional forklift with electric drive on all of its three wheels, was one of the twelve finalists in the Innovation Category. The Combi-CBE features internationally patented electric traction which enables independent control of each of the front and rear drive wheels and guarantees 100% traction control, which negates the need for differential lock when it is operating on wet or slippery surfaces. As the truck drives and steers, the speed and rotational direction of the wheels are controlled independently. Operators benefit from precise acceleration and deceleration control, which significantly reduces long load momentum twisting when travelling sideways. Each electric drive incorporates parking and regenerative dynamic braking for power efficiency and AC drive means that there are no mechanical brushes to maintain or replace. The FLTA commented: “ A clever and innovative design, Combilift’s entry impressed the panel with its unique, independent front and rear wheel drive, letting it handle long loads in the tightest spaces while minimising tyre wear.” Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar added: “Innovation is a cornerstone of Combilift’s product development and, given the large number of excellent finalists this year, we would like to thank the FLTA jury of industry experts for recognising our achievements.” Recognition for innovation from the FLTA