What companies are doing to drive positive change
The current economic climate in the UK has created some uncertainty. Despite this, UK businesses have been resilient and many are leading innovation in the engineering sector.
Here, Jeremy Whittingham, Head of Marketing at Advanced Engineering, the UK’s leading industrial trade show, explores ways businesses are managing uncertainty.
1. Speed up innovation
The speed at which businesses innovate can take a hit during uncertain times. Capital investment is likely to fall, elongating project and product lifecycles. However, the need to invest in research and development (R&D) becomes even more crucial during tough times. For Xi Engineering, a digital twinning expert, this is exactly the case.
“We work with businesses to solve engineering problems in sectors such as high-end audio, automotive, renewable energy and transport” explains Mark-Paul Buckingham, Managing Director of Xi Engineering.
“We offer services like simulation and accurate modelling to help our customers trial innovations that would take longer if done manually. This helps our clients launch products more quickly without the roadblock typically associated with engineering product development.”
2. Diversify your offering
To keep pace with competition, many businesses can become highly specialised. During times of uncertainty, it can be wise to consider sectors where your products and specialisms could offer transferrable benefits.
This strategy has helped global engineering company, Renishaw, double its employee numbers to 5000 people in just eight years.
“Our success lies in the fact that we have diversified in so many sectors,” explains Jonathan Archer, General Manager for UK sales at Renishaw. “For example, in the medical sector, we’ve used our additive manufacturing expertise to produce ground-breaking implants that would otherwise be impossible to make.”
3. Inspire loyalty
Relationships can also take a negative hit during times of uncertainty. That’s why businesses should build closer ties with their customers and supply chains.
When Kawasaki Robotics UK’s customers were uncertain about investing in automation technologies, the company, which forms the UK division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Japan, turned to education to strengthen its relationships.
“Market uncertainty has led to caution about investing in new digital technologies,” explains Ian Hensman, Sales Manager for Kawasaki Robotics UK. “This stems from a wider uncertainty about the benefits of automation technology and how they’ll work alongside the human workforce.
“We’re helping our customers overcome this issue by educating them on how to integrate digital technologies in a variety of applications such as welding, material handling, painting and small parts assembly.”
4. Join forces
The saying “if you can’t beat them join them“ can prove to be a powerful move to overcome uncertainty, and is how Atlas Copco’s Motor Vehicle Industry business division met the rising demand in the electric car sector.
“Atlas Copco’s Industrial Technique division has combined its Tools and Industrial Assembly Solutions business areas, to create an innovative joining partner for manufacturers,” explains Clive Sharp, Business Line Manager for Atlas Copco’s Motor Vehicle Industry business division. “With products and expertise for all assembly applications, including adhesive dispensing, flow drill fastening, sealing and quality inspection, we can meet future market demand, particularly within electric vehicle assembly.”
5. Explore new markets
Where some may see uncertainty, others see opportunity. Export markets can inject a fresh lease of life to your existing offering, with demand from new customers and new industry sectors.
At a time when many businesses were considering leaving the UK, Swedish automation specialist Novotek entered the market. Acquiring Glasgow-based Kerrco Automation Ltd, it created Novotek UK and Ireland, and became the sole distributor of GE Digital products in the region.
“In the UK, Novotek saw the potential to develop this market from an automation perspective,” explains George Walker, Managing Director of Novotek UK & Ireland. “Our goal is to modernise British manufacturing, using edge-computing hardware to help manufacturers gain better insights and ultimately become more profitable.”
To read the full interviews with the companies we’ve mentioned above, download Advanced Engineering’s Voice of Industry report. To find out what’s being demonstrated at this year’s Advanced Engineering exhibition, which takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham between 30–31 October, 2019, visit the website here:
www.advancedengineeringuk.com
