November 2021

News 10 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk November 2021 Go back fifteen or twenty years ago and such was the extent of offshoring taking place by UK manufacturers some feared it would be a case of last one out turn out the lights. The intense pressure to drive down costs in response to pressure from the big OEMs and take advantage of cheap labour in the Far East, China in particular, led to a substantial hollowing out of the UK supply chain and the establishment of ‘just in time’ production processes. However, fast forward to today and the disruption caused by Brexit and the pandemic and the issue of whether to re-shore is now very much on the agenda for manufacturers. Supply chain disruption and supply chain resilience has now become an increasing part of the narrative for manufacturers whose networks were exposed during the early part of the pandemic as a lack of freight capacity and differing lockdown policies between countries resulted in substantial challenges for manufacturers needing to access critical components. So instead of ‘just in time’ in the future are we likely to hear more of ‘just in case’ leading to an abandoning of offshoring and more production brought back to the UK? What has become clear is that an increasing number of manufacturers are monitoring their supply chain. According to Make UK’s latest data this has doubled from 7% of companies in 2009 to 13% in 2020 while the number not actively monitoring their supply chain has halved since 2009. This level of active consideration of supply chains and where production takes place is leading many companies to question offshoring, with a quarter of companies looking to re-shore overseas activities while a further quarter are looking to identify new or additional suppliers in the UK as a high priority. Increased collaboration up and down the supply chain is the most common strategy manufacturers are using to improve supply chain performance. However, given the economic shock of the last couple of years and the changed political scenario of the UK’s relationship with Europe in particular, it would be highly unusual if companies with highly complex and integrated supply chains, as well as production facilities overseas, were not considering bringing back some, or all, of their production back from overseas. However, measured against this is the prospect that companies will continue to offshore production because the UK’s departure from the EU has meant that to get round onerous and sometimes legally required Rules of Origin requirements they have been forced to move or, set up, some production overseas, especially in Europe. It would be impossible to say the concept of ‘offshoring’ is dead and not one that companies are still considering. Equally, however, such has been the shock to the system over the last couple of years it has undoubtedly led many companies to look at whether the need for ‘just in case’ has made them think again. By MAKE UK chief executive, Stephen Phipson MAKE uk - the manufacturers’ organisation monthly news comment Chief Petty Officer AET(M) Adam Finch has been named the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Armed Forces Technician of the Year. Adam, 37 from Torpoint, Cornwall joined the Royal Navy in 2001. He was selected for the Fast-track Artificer Apprenticeship scheme and consistently impressive performances through basic training secured him in the top 10%. He demonstrated strong technical acumen and exacting standards particularly during skill of hand training, leading to him being awarded Craftsman of the Year. Since then, he has been employed in a broad range of areas within the Fleet Air Arm in both the maritime and land-based domains. He has embarked as a Senior Technician on a Merlin Small Ship’s Flight and has also been deployed operationally on Op HERRICK and Op ELLAMY. In 2019 he was awarded an ACNS(A&CS) 2* commendation for support to an urgent Chinook repair task. He is currently employed as an Airframe Repair Designer and deployed in support of Op NEWCOMBE. On winning, Adam said: “It was a real honour to be nominated and I cannot believe I have won, receiving this news whilst deployed made it even more special. Having my efforts formally recognised is very humbling and has only been possible due to the support of my family. “I now look forward to continuing my professional development and achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer.” The IET Achievement Awards exist to recognise individuals from all over the world who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of engineering, technology and science in any sector. This can be through research and development in their respective technical field or through their leadership of an enterprise. IET President, Air Marshal Sir Julian Young, said: “Chief Petty Officer Finch has shown dedication and drive to achieve early on in his career, a reflection shown in the accolades and quick progression he has made within the Royal Navy. He should be very proud of his achievements.” The Apprentice and Technician Awards are part of the IET’s Achievement Awards and Scholarships programme, which this year provided £1million in awards, prizes and scholarships to celebrate excellence and research in the sector and encourage the next generation of engineers and technicians. Find out more about the Achievement Awards: www.theiet.org/achievement IET Armed Forces Technician of the Year announced