News 08 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk August/September 2024 Every year, Make UK publishes an analysis of the contribution of manufacturing to each English region and devolved nation. The most striking finding of this year’s analysis shows that the three devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have seen a significant growth in the number of manufacturing jobs in the last year. The number of manufacturing jobs in Wales increased by 13,000, 10,000 in Scotland and 2,000 in Northern Ireland. By contrast, every English region saw a fall manufacturing jobs in the same period with the East of England being the only region showing a slight rise. This meant the sector saw an overall fall of 34,000 jobs in the twelve months to March. The increase in Scotland is likely to have been driven by the growth of renewables investment, especially offshore wind, while Wales has a significant supply chain in the Aerospace & Defence sectors which have seen strong growth in the last year. The Transport Equipment sector (mainly aerospace) accounts for 15.5% of manufacturing in Wales, the largest sector. However, despite this fall, the pressure on finding skilled people is still severe as 64,000 vacancies remain in the sector, accounting for some £6bn in lost output according to Make UK analysis. In response, Make UK is urging the new Government to make tackling skill shortages and reforming the technical education system the centrepiece of its industrial strategy. The report also analyses the growth in output across each nation and region over the last decade, as well a comparison between pre and post-pandemic levels. It shows that, despite the challenges posed by Covid and Brexit, every English region bar one has shown double digit growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) since 2013. Yorkshire & Humber has seen the best growth in output in that period (40%), followed by the North East (30%), and South West (27%). This compares to the average growth in manufacturing GVA across the UK overall in the same period of around 23%. Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of manufacturing to regional economies with every area in the UK, except for the South East & London, seeing an above average contribution from manufacturing to its local economy. For example, the North East may have the smallest share of overall manufacturing output in the UK, but industry accounts for almost 15% of the region’s total output. The East Midlands has the highest share of manufacturing in its regional economy at almost 16%, while the West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber have a significant contribution above the national average. According to Make UK, this highlights the importance of the new Government’s industrial strategy to raising the performance of regional economies and, addressing inequality, given manufacturing jobs are better paid than the national average. Overall, the report shows the importance of manufacturing to every region in the UK, an issue that a new industrial strategy will continue to promote. By MAKE UK chief executive, Stephen Phipson MAKE uk - the manufacturers’ organisation monthly news comment Schneider Electric, the energy management and automation company, has begun its centennial celebration of the TeSys motor management solutions. At a recent media briefing, David Barrett-Hague, Industrial Automation Marketing Manager, underscored the company’s extensive history and showcased the innovative technologies that enhance the modern TeSys product range’s motor control capabilities. Barrett-Hague remarked: “Schneider Electric is a trusted brand and has the heritage to match, having made over 180 years of impact. Products like TeSys demonstrate how established excellence can be evolved to meet modern requirements. We look forward to TeSys remaining a principal source for OEMs and end users looking to achieve reliable, sustainable, and efficient motor control.” TeSys motor controls have been pivotal in industrial operations for a century, known for advancements in motor protection, monitoring, and control. The modern TeSys product line maintains this legacy, emphasising safety, reliability, and flexibility. Current TeSys offerings include: TeSys Island: A digital load management solution enhancing machine intelligence and reliability. It serves as a fully-digitised, object-oriented load management system and Industry 4.0-compliant data provider, aiding OEMs in rapid digitalisation and enabling remote energy data access for proactive maintenance. TeSys Deca: This new-generation series offers robust motor starters for various applications, designed for swift integration into industrial environments. TeSys Giga: This solution combines simplicity with robust performance, featuring self-diagnostic indicators and comprehensive protection to reduce downtime. TeSys Ultra: A self-protected motor starter combination that enhances productivity by providing motor control, disconnection, and protection in a single device. As Schneider Electric embarks on TeSys’s second century, the company says it promises further advancements. 2024 will see new product launches aimed at addressing contemporary challenges such as energy costs, sustainability, and scalability. The TeSys 100 celebrations will continue throughout 2024, featuring various initiatives. Schneider Electric marks 100 years of TeSys innovation
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