Category: Engineering

It would be difficult to overstate the massive impact COVID-19 has unleashed on virtually every industry operating in today’s market. The manufacturing sector has been particularly hard hit thanks to logistical issues surrounding social distancing measures and quarantine protocols, as well as supply chain issues brought about by increased demand for certain products.

However, despite these significant challenges, a recent survey of senior voices in the manufacturing industry revealed that many companies had experienced revenue growth over the past year. Rather than crippling manufacturers, tough economic conditions have actually forced them to become more resilient and streamline their operational processes. In many ways, we are witnessing the beginning of a manufacturing revolution that will see the industry become more flexible, robust, and adaptive to shocks.

With this in mind, we’ve collated a heartening list of things to expect from the manufacturing industry in 2021 as it evolves in line with a complex socio-economic environment.

COVID-19 Vaccines Will Improve Output Levels

The most exciting recent development for the manufacturing industry is the speedy creation of a whole host of effective vaccines against COVID-19. As a range of vaccines is rolled out over the coming months, we can expect businesses and public spaces to gradually phase out distancing measures.

This means that factory floors will see an increase in staff members, and production will start to approach pre-pandemic levels. This is great news for businesses that rely heavily on workers rather than automated machines.

It is unlikely, however, that manufacturing companies will operate in precisely the same way as before COVID-19 struck, as many will already have invested in new technologies or systems designed to improve efficiency.

Manufacturers Will Adapt To High Demand From Clients And Consumers

Demand for some products is currently surging thanks to the pandemic’s impact on people’s lifestyle habits. This means that many manufacturers are under pressure to produce high-quality items in larger volumes than ever before. By extension, the relationship between manufacturers and their clients is likely to become ever more important, with the former prioritising total transparency and immaculate customer service to ensure they retain a loyal customer base. Many manufacturing firms are also likely to become more attentive to the needs of customers, placing a greater emphasis on data-driven insights to inform their operational strategies.

Production Will Become Increasingly Localised

The pandemic has prompted many people to think about their consumption habits more closely, particularly as they have had time to think about the environmental and ethical impacts of imported goods. This, combined with the fact that the world is experiencing a number of trade wars and tariff negotiations that are sending supply chains into disarray, means that the manufacturing sector is likely to place a greater emphasis on the importance of purchasing local goods.

There are many advantages to selling locally, including better resilience to economic shocks, faster time to market, and lower production costs. In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated a trend that was already taking place.

Manufacturers Will Invest In Digital Technologies

COVID-19 has exposed many of the shortcomings of manufacturing companies that rely on constant access to physical workspace and a large labour force. Fortunately, there are plenty of digital technologies out there to address such issues, including machine learning, robotics, edge computing, the 5G network, sensors, and cloud computing. Companies who invest in such technologies will see their supply chains become much more resilient in the coming years and, as a result, are likely to experience strong investment and growth.

At the same time, tech companies will keep improving their offerings and cater to manufacturers intent on diversifying their operations.

Sustainability Will Become Ever More Important To Consumers

In recent months and years, consumers have become very aware of the manufacturing industry’s contribution to climate change and environmental pollution. This awareness has become very acute throughout the pandemic as people have had more time to reflect on their consumption habits.

As such, manufacturers will need to think about selling themselves as green companies. This could be done by cutting back on waste, using recycled materials, or switching to green sources of energy. In the long term, manufacturers will likely try and move everything under one roof to ensure maximum efficiency. Having one factory, rather than several scattered across the country can help to reduce transport costs, materials, storage and duplication, as well as having a number of environmental benefits.

Companies Will Create Better Jobs

Thanks to the introduction of new technologies, manufacturers will be in a position to offer better-paying and more rewarding jobs in the near future. Workers are likely to become more involved in the logistical, technological and strategic tasks rather than in manual jobs.

As one of the most reliable and highly praised spring manufacturers in Europe, we at European Springs & Pressings are excited to see what 2021 has in store. We are confident that we will go from strength to strength as the manufacturing industry evolves. If you have any questions about any of our products and services, do not hesitate to contact us.

2020 has been an unusual year in many ways, largely because of the Coronavirus pandemic, and many who are involved in the manufacturing sector may have found themselves operating differently to usual. Whilst things may have seemed very distinctive in 2020, it’s also the case that much of the manufacturing sector has been proceeding as normal.

Not even a pandemic can hold back the overarching trends that define an industry. All of this means that 2021 is likely to be an exciting and innovative year for the sector. As one of the leading spring manufacturers in Europe, the team here at European Springs & Pressings Ireland, are expecting some big changes to come in the new year.

This article will explore what opportunities these developments will hold for the sector, and how those in the manufacturing industry can best prepare for them and mitigate any risks or challenges.

Welcoming 5G

The rollout of the 5G network is on the radar of many individuals across a number of industries at the moment – not just in the manufacturing sector. The infrastructure updates and building work required to make the rollout happen is in the news on a regular basis, and many people live or work close to a site that is part of the important development.

This new technology will be an upgrade to the existing mobile network infrastructure and is expected to provide users with a speed of 1Gbps for downloading on average – a big improvement on the current experience of many. For manufacturers, the 5G rollout could bring a huge host of advantages. Factories which currently rely on less sophisticated Internet connectivity tools for data transmission, such as 4G, will soon be able to cut lead times and enjoy improved communication between devices, products and offices.

“Industrial digitalisation”, as it is sometimes known, can help leaders in the manufacturing sector do everything from providing more targeted, data-driven maintenance solutions to deep-diving more effectively when it comes to monitoring the supply chain process. In short, 5G offers manufacturing leaders the chance to really turn around their business and identify key areas in which there are efficiency problems – whether that’s on the production line or later in the chain.

According to a small minority of people involved in a conspiracy theory, the 5G network causes ill health and suffering. While this claim appears to be largely baseless, those involved in the supply chain manufacturing (or even usage) of the new 5G network may want to ensure they have a communications plan in place in order to address any concerns from customers.

Industry 4.0

When most people hear the term “Industrial Revolution”, they often hark back to the Victorian age and the development of railways and factories. But what many people do not know is that analysts in the manufacturing sector have actually identified several industrial revolutions – and the current one, Industry 4.0, is actually the fourth. It is a catch-all term designed to cover the impact that technology is having on sectors like manufacturing, including in fields such as artificial intelligence.

Industry 4.0 poses a variety of opportunities for wire form manufacturers like ourselves, and indeed other sub-sectors too – not least when it comes to reducing friction in the production process, and reducing the risk of dud products or breakdowns affecting the customer experience. There will be some challenges for manufacturing leaders to overcome, of course. The sheer amount of data required to make the most of the connected factory or warehouse will mean that upgrades to existing enterprise computing systems may be required, and it could involve initial outlay. But with so many cost-related benefits to embracing Industry 4.0, it’s likely that these costs will be recouped over time.

Smart Factories

One specific sort of development offered by Industry 4.0 is the smart factory. Smart factories could well become a key part of a manufacturer’s life in 2021, and it pays for manufacturers to be aware of what potential they hold. Whilst there has already been huge investment into smart factories for most manufacturers, it’s expected that those that have not yet invested in the technology required, will do so in the new year.

Smart factories are environments in which production processes as they currently exist are either replaced or combined with some element of automation and so-called “big data”. Information is the main driver of the smart factory: when every part of the smart factory has the power to gather data, manufacturing leaders – and the systems themselves – can analyse it more effectively to improve workflows and uncover inefficiencies.

Smart factories are also an example of how the different strands of the revolutionised manufacturing sector will work together. The introduction of 5G into a factory setting, for example, is likely to mean increased communication between different nodes in the production network. A production schedule can be updated in real-time as the supply levels are checked, and the actual assembly work is monitored. More accurate information, delivered faster, is likely to be the main benefit of the 5G revolution.

Those are just a few of the main changes we expect to see throughout 2021, but there are sure to be many more. Check in on our blog regularly, as we are constantly updating our visitors with the latest news breaking from the manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing industry has grown significantly in recent years, and despite recent struggles due to Coronavirus, the sector is seeing some promising signs and appears to be bouncing back.

With the ongoing digital transformation of the sector, along with Industry 4.0 now being fully incorporated into most businesses, there’s now room for the next big deve
lopment in the sector.

With the sector coming on in leaps and bounds in recent years, you can be forgiven for getting excited about what the future holds for the industry; and in this article, we take a closer look at some of the key things to keep an eye out for in the coming years.

 

3D Printing

It’s no secret that 3D printing has been steadily growing over the years, with the industry set to account for more than $20 billion in spending by 2025, according to GlobalData. 3D printing offers manufacturers a huge amount of flexibility, and with advancements set to be made in prototyping, firms are genuinely encouraged by the potential ability to better visualise future products ahead of mass manufacturing.

3D printing has become something of a staple with many manufacturing companies around the UK, and with steps forward being taken with automated assembly integrating seamlessly with 3D printed metal and plastic parts, we could see 3D printing as part of the assembly line in a matter of years.

There’s also hope that advancements in software and data management will have a profound effect on 3D printing moving forward. With improved system management and part quality expected from these changes, the expectation is that manufacturers will be able to deliver more individualised, purpose-built products for customers, at significantly lower price points.

Wearable Technologies

Wearable technologies have been incorporated into manufacturing over the last few years, and there’s good reason to believe this type of tech will continue to be used throughout the sector for years to come. It’s important to remember that wearable technologies go far beyond eye-based units, with the likes of smartwatches quickly becoming a key part of employee welfare in manufacturing settings.

Wearable tech has two main uses, VR and AR are mainly used for training purposes, as the wearer can safely get to grips with how to work key components in the supply chain. A VR or AR headset allows the user to enter a fully augmented space where they can carry out tasks exactly as they would in real life.

Smartwatches are mainly used for ensuring the welfare of all employees, as they can be used to detect fatigue, high heart rates and other abnormalities. This information can be relayed back to a duty manager who can then check in on employees if any potential issues are flagged.

With multiple benefits already being seen from wearable tech within the industry, their use is only expected to become more commonplace over the coming years. The technology used in wearables has come on in leaps and bounds in such a small amount of time, so it’s only a matter of time until the next big wearables hit the market.

Embracing 5G & Investment in IoT

It doesn’t feel like that long ago that the industry was excited about 4G and all of the benefits it would bring to the sector, but now we are already looking ahead to how we can harness 5G to its full extent. 5G is roughly 100 times faster than 4G, with speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second ready to be harnessed.

With the IoT taking up an ever-increasing amount of bandwidth and demands for data creation constantly on the rise, 5G comfortably satisfies the growing need for reliable, high-speed connectivity. It’s extremely important that businesses take steps to futureproof their current processes with 5G in mind, and that inevitably means investment in IoT technologies.

IoT tech has been a staple within the industry for a number of years now, and its influence over the manufacturing sector doesn’t look set to diminish any time soon. With automation and robotics within smart factories relying heavily on this technology, now is the time to invest and embrace IoT, along with 5G. Doing so will enable your business to work faster, create more high-quality products and reduce bottlenecks in the supply chain.

As a whole, the industry seems ready to invest in IoT technologies, as many within the sector have first-hand experience of just how much of an impact it can have on workflows and automation within the workplace.

At European Springs & Pressings Ireland, we are constantly looking for the next big technology in the manufacturing industry. By continually investing in our existing processes and technology, we are able to maintain our position as one of the top spring manufacturers in the UK.

Be sure to keep an eye on our blog page for the very latest information coming out of the manufacturing industry, as well as expert sector insights!

In last year’s Annual Manufacturing Report (2019), it was revealed that more than half of businesses in the industry believed that the education system was failing the industry. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the government is doing much to change that, so it is up to the business owners to change perceptions.

If you are a business owner hoping for talented, passionate, and promising new hires in the future, we have some advice for how you can improve the education of young people.

If you are a young person hoping to get into manufacturing, then we also have some suggestions that may be able to help you achieve success. Following the standard education route isn’t always the fastest, or best, route into our industry.

What Exists Now

In terms of the education that already exists, many businesses believe that much of the skills training is outdated and impractical. It is thought that not enough students are being taught to think about the exciting potential of 3D prototyping, or where their future careers might lie in respect to these advancements.

Despite being surrounded by smart technology, young people are not being taught about the future of connected product manufacturing, so they aren’t considering roles in maintaining those technologies. This means that individuals aren’t training to fulfil the roles that we need in our society.

This doesn’t mean that young people are ignorant of automation in factories, however, but they are getting the wrong message about it. Instead of being inspired to create the next automating machine, or learning the skills required to fix and understand automation, young people are hearing about how these machines are cutting jobs from the sector and panicking. We need to teach young students that a future in manufacturing isn’t closed to them because of automation, but that the skills we need are changing to be more exciting because of it.

One way to help young people realise the future of industry is to show it to them. An apprenticeship can offer students the hands-on experience they need to understand what is required from today’s manufacturing scene. If they are looking to further their education after their apprenticeship by taking on a degree, they will be better prepared for which courses can really benefit the companies of today, and may return to you in the future as an ideal candidate.

The Future for Businesses

Most companies in UK manufacturing have felt the impact of the skills gap on their business, and agree that while plenty of skilled workers are retiring, they are not being replaced by enough passionate young people.

To solve this problem, we first need to understand why young people aren’t as attracted to manufacturing as they used to be. The reasons for this could be down to education, or it could be due to uncertainty about the future of the industry. A study quoted by The Telegraph found that 40% of high school students believe that manufacturing is boring, and that only 15% of college-age students believed it had a good wage. Clearly, something needs to change to motivate the future of the manufacturing scene.

One way that businesses can change these views is by going to careers fairs and speaking to children face-to-face and offering them realistic information about the industry. This means talking to them about the kinds of skills that manufacturing is looking for, and the kinds of wages that can bring, compared to other jobs.

Another way to break down the myths surrounding our industry is to offer tours to local schools. These tours, however, need to be thoughtfully planned in order to have the right impact. You want to inspire young people with your business, skills and tools.

For Young People

If you are a young person considering what a future in manufacturing might look like for you, we recommend getting in touch with your local manufacturing company to learn what kind of apprenticeships are available. Experience in our industry is irreplaceable and will help you to secure work in the future.

Overall, we place importance on engineering skills and problem-solving attitudes. Engineering at GCSE opens doors to many wonderful careers and the skills that you learn will stay with you for life. Manufacturing is more than just skills; it is about living with a positive mindset dedicated to making the world around you better with innovative solutions. If this worldview appeals to you, then you might want to consider a career in manufacturing.

We are a springs manufacturer dedicated to supporting young people in the early stages of their career with our apprenticeship programs. If you are interested in our products, or in discussing the future of education and hiring in the industry, contact us.

Following the peak of the UK Coronavirus pandemic many manufacturing and engineering businesses have been getting back to work over the last month or so. With the pandemic affecting nearly all businesses across all industries, there is likely to be a significant cut in research and development spending across most sectors.

With companies looking to cut costs and save jobs where possible, research and development is set to suffer, but this is likely to have a detrimental affect to the future of the manufacturing industry as a whole. Here, we take a closer look at just how important research and development funds will be to the UK’s overall economic recovery.

R&D Integral To Recovery Of Most Industries

As many businesses assess their options for a full recovery over the coming months and years, it’s no surprise that research and development spending is likely to be one of the main cuts made by most employers – though this may not be in their best interests.

According to a survey carried out by the Royal Academy of Engineering in April 2020, those surveyed believe that research and development will play a vital role in many industries finding a way out of the issues caused by the pandemic. There is a real belief that research and development in the manufacturing, engineering and healthcare industry will have a profound affect on just how quickly each of these sectors can recover.

Research and development is commonly funded through revenue brought in by businesses, however, with many companies experiencing cash flow issues in the past few months, the total spending on R&D is likely to take a significant hit. Research and development spending is also likely to affect partnership with educational establishments who would have benefited and been able to provide additional support for student work placements throughout the year.

It’s also worth noting that many businesses will have been some way through existing research and development projects when the Coronavirus pandemic hit, which in most cases, will have halted their progress indefinitely.

What Can Be Done?

First and foremost, it’s vital that the government do not ignore the need for urgent backing when it comes to research and development for all sectors, but with particular emphasis placed on the manufacturing and health industries.

Whilst the government spending in research and development has steadily decreased over the last few years, the importance of investing now cannot be understated. Failure to capitalise on this opportunity could see many industries, including the manufacturing and engineering sector, held back in comparison to other global competitors.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is calling for several interventions to support business research and development through this difficult time. Here’s an overview of what they believe needs to be done over the coming months, to minimise the impact on R&D for all businesses:

• Expand the Made Smart pilot to support SMEs in adapting to thrive within the ‘new normal’
• Make innovation a key component of the public procurement process, enabling businesses to bring the best value for money to the public
• Use the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to stimulate pre-competitive collaboration to address future innovation needs and opportunities
• Protect the innovation pipeline and future-proof it by taking the following steps:
  • Front-loading public funding in multi-year research and innovation programmes
  • Introducing agile and rapid Collaborative R&D programmes to promote industry-university collaborations and knowledge exchange
  • Boosting support for late-stage R&D and demonstration
  • Maintaining and improving the UK’s competitive package of tax incentives for companies to innovate
  • Developing globally leading capabilities

 

President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Professor Sir Jim McDonald commented: “A knowledge and innovation-led economy remains our best strategy for future prosperity and we know from previous economic downturns that companies that have continued their R&D activity have been much better placed to recover afterwards.

“Now is the time for government to set out a powerful vision that both demonstrates its commitment to R&D and provides certainty to the businesses that will shape our economic destiny. Investing in R&D is investing in the future.”

 

As one of the UK’s leading spring manufacturers, we believe in the power of research and development to ensure businesses within the sector are able to continue going from strength to strength. The last few years have been testing for all manufacturers across the UK, and whilst the Coronavirus pandemic has caused widespread problems over the last three months, there is a genuine optimism around the industry that targeted research and development could pave the way to the sector thriving once again as all of our businesses enter working in the ‘new normal’.