PWE October 2021

News 0 8 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk October 2021 technology, products and services, such as creating an Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) “spin off” for the defence sector. Make UK believes this will enable the defence sector to play a central role in developing innovations which will help address the many societal challenges we face. Commenting, Andrew Kinniburgh, Director of Make UK Defence, said: “The UK defence sector is one of the most dynamic in the world and is unrivalled in its ability to adopt and, invest in, cutting-edge technologies. As the adoption of digital technologies in particular accelerates, we now have a unique opportunity to harness the talents of companies right across the sector. “By working closely with the sector and, freeing up the agility and dynamism of SMES we can cross-pollinate the success of the defence sector to maximise economic gains, seize export opportunities and build greater supply chain resilience. This will place an innovative defence sector at the forefront of helping address the many challenges society faces.” Jeff Lewis, chief executive at Raytheon UK and chair of the Defence Supplier Forum (Mid tier group), stated: “SMEs offer niche technologies and an agility that is essential to British innovation and the future of defence and aerospace. Around 96% of manufacturers are SMEs who help to drive prosperity across the nation. By working together we can ensure that with the right investments and technology the defence manufacturing sector brings a wealth of opportunities for highly skilled jobs and, access to new markets for long term work.” According to the report, the prospects in the sector for young people is highlighted by the average salary being over £45k which is more than a quarter higher than the average salary in manufacturing which itself is higher than the salary for the economy overall. In the East Midlands, for example, the average salary in defence is 45% higher than the regional average. The sector also invests heavily in people and is aware of its social responsibility with three quarters of companies taking measures to ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce, two thirds investing in apprenticeships and nine in ten in wider training programmes. As one of the most innovative sectors of the economy spending almost £2bn a year on R&D, the report shows the sector is looking to the future with almost three quarters of companies (71%) investing in digital technologies in the last two years and almost half (46%) in green technologies. Furthermore the defence sector is heavily committed to evolving technologies with more than a third (35%) exploring opportunities in autonomous robotics and vehicles, over a quarter (26%) in clean technologies and propulsion and almost a fifth in Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality. Make UK believes that, in the same way the defence sector invented GPS which was then translated into civilian use the same can happen with these technologies. However, the report highlights some striking barriers that SMEs in face. In particular 85% of companies say it is somewhat or very difficult to obtain procurement contracts while a similar number (86%) find it difficult to access new markets, a situation not helped by the removal of the Trade Access Programme. There is also frustration with the UK’s Export Control process which causes delays while a third of companies cited the imposition of non-UK standards and regulations on the UK defence supply chain by overseas Prime Contractors. Make UK has made the following policy recommendations to Government to support the defence sector and help free up the agility and dynamism of SMEs in particular: The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and aerospace company Boeing have officially opened a new research and development (R&D) facility in Westway Park in Renfrew within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland. Key figures, including Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee, attended the recent event, marking a significant development within the region and Scotland’s growing advanced manufacturing industry. At over 60,000m 2 , the new NMIS facility incorporates the Metallics Research Centre with Boeing, which will see the delivery of Boeing’s £11.8 million R&D programme in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the NMIS Group. Aiming to reduce materials waste and identify opportunities to improve safety, productivity, and the environmental impact of its aircraft, technical teams from Boeing and NMIS are exploring novel manufacturing technologies for metallic components, building on over a decade’s worth of R&D with the University of Strathclyde and the AFRC, where Boeing is a founding partner. Part funded by Scottish Enterprise, the programme is the first initiative within the Boeing Scotland Alliance, which is exploring opportunities to work together in Scotland, with the aim of doubling Boeing’s supply chain and creating 200 new quality jobs in the next five years. The new R&D facility will also house cutting edge manufacturing equipment for use across NMIS projects with other innovative manufacturing businesses across the country, bolstering the support already provided through its specialist technology centres the AFRC and its Lightweight Manufacturing Centre (LMC). In the adjacent manufacturing district site, construction is continuing on the new NMIS headquarters set to open later next year, which will include a skills academy, collaboration hub and digital factory. Keith Ridgway, NMIS executive chair said: “This a huge development for Scotland, cementing our dedication to advanced manufacturing innovation on a global scale and the benefits that this can bring to our economy. We’re excited about what the future holds for this new facility, the ground- breaking R&D taking place there, and how we can build on our manufacturing expertise to support Boeing on its journey towards net-zero.” Sir Martin Donnelly, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing in the UK and Ireland added: “This opening is significant because it’s a sign of the commitment Boeing and Scottish Enterprise made when we announced the Boeing Scotland Alliance and this R&D programme. “The NMIS and Boeing teams have worked tremendously hard through a global pandemic to bring us to this point, and we all know that so much more is still to come from this agreement for the future of manufacturing and aerospace.” NMIS and Boeing officially open new R&D facility