National Manufacturing Debate: Manufacturing for recovery

Cranfield University organised the debate to demonstrate how developments in technology and servitisation can help improve organisational performance and competitiveness for UK manufacturers of any size. Head of manufacturing department at Cranfield University, Rajkumar Roy told Works Management after the conference: "We need to have more coordination between SMEs and large companies. " In his keynote presentation, head of capability developments, Greg Bolan from BAE Systems stressed the need for UK's manufacturers to adapt in order to survive what he called a "dynamic change environment" and offer not only equipment but service support while head of research and technology at Rolls Royce plc Professor Ric Parker focused on new technologies and high value added manufacturing to create a sustainable economic recovery. This message was also echoed by Will Barton from The Technology Strategy Board who also stressed the need for manufacturers to move away from the image of "just making things". Indeed Parker attributed innovation and high value added manufacturing as "the engine of economic growth" in an high labour cost economy where product differentiation and brand development are key strategies for UK businesses to win and retain new customers. With its University Technology Centres Rolls Royce has also committed long term investment in training and development of the next generation of skilled people. European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA) executive director Frank Knecht told delegates in his speech that the biggest threat to European manufacturers was from globalisation not recession, and warned against allowing European investment in innovation to slide said: "don't keep chasing Toyota, we need to better them". The importance of innovation was also covered by Martin Temple, director general at themanufacturers' association EEF, who told delegates that a recent survey suggested that UK manufacturers are looking at developing niche products rather than cutting prices to survive the economic downturn and increasing global competition. Temple was firm on his message that UK based manufacturers "do and can make things" but cautioned that the industry must become more proactive in fighting for survival in a global economy and export more. Conference breakout groups dedicated to low carbon and sustainable manufacturing, design and innovation, advanced materials and technology, and product-service systems – as well as the economic recovery agenda – provided thought-provoking questions for a panel. Facilitated by Works Management editorial director Ken Hurst panelists included Robin Cheyne, East programme manager, The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), Jerry Hardcastle, vice president vehicle design and development, Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE), Stefan March, director, SMMT Industry Forum, Mike South, managing director, Factura, Professor Stewart Williams at Cranfield University as well as speakers Parker and Bolan from BAE Systems and Rolls Royce respectively. Delegates posed and debated questions ranging from university research-to-commerce knowledge transfer – particularly the difficulties faced by SMEs in this respect – to accelerating the closure of the skills gap between young people entering the industry and the experienced people leaving it. On low carbon and sustainable manufacturing matters, the conference delegates and panel exchanged ideas on what an effective education campaign to increase sustainability without adding cost might look like. Those concerned with product-service systems sought examples of best practice in integrating technical and engineering disciplines with commercial need; a theme also explored by others focusing on design and innovation and wanting to know more about the secrets of producing ideas that could be translated into commercial value. On a very pragmatic level, delegates also got to grips with the practicalities of the safe, end-of-life recycling of advanced composite materials. Engendering creativity, collaborative working and 'a preparedness to fail' alongside coping with the pressures of the increasing need to adopt a 24/7, 365 day service culture to meet customer demand, completed a wide ranging spread of subject for a stimulating two hours of debate and resolution.