‘Best of the Best’ crafted in Plymouth!

Princess Yachts are delighted to announce that the Princess ‘Superfly’ X95 has been awarded ‘Best of the Best’ in Robb Report‘s Yacht category.
The team at Robb Report explained, “we were impressed not only with the yacht’s volume—which clearly adds to gracious on-board living—but also the way your team, along with Pininfarina, shaped the exterior. The unique design makes excellent use of the top deck, foredeck and beach club areas. We’ll sum it up in one word: Bravo”.
Find out more about the Princess ‘Superfly’ X95 on our website: https://lnkd.in/d7cWYzb

(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do

Some coronavirus restrictions are being cautiously lifted across England today 29th March 2021.
Here’s what you need to know
https://lnkd.in/dqJiFVZ

Image  – here

£7.9m Fund Launched to Help UK SMEs Exhibit at Overseas Tradeshows

£7.9m Fund Launched to Help UK SMEs Exhibit at Overseas Tradeshows

The UK Tradeshow Programme (UKTP) is an enhanced tradeshow support service which aims to educate UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) about the benefits of exhibiting at overseas tradeshows.

The Government intends to provide support to between 2,000 and 3,000 businesses per year, to be approved under the scheme from December 2021 to March 2023, within the budget of £7.9 million. All successful applicants will receive training on successfully exhibiting at tradeshows in general, and the specific approved event(s) that they have applied for. Some businesses may also receive a grant of either £2,000 or £4,000 up to 40% of costs as financial support

Applications are now invited from businesses wishing to exhibit at overseas tradeshows. Applications must be made at least six weeks before the start of the event.

Find out more here

5 Manufacturing roles that will soon look very different. The factory of the future will demand a whole new combination of skills.

Article by Stephen Laaper and Asi Klein

AUG 25, 2021

This article appeared in Industry Week magazine and is available to read in full – here

The fact that digital transformation and Industry 4.0 are changing manufacturing operations is no secret, nor is the fact that skilled manufacturing talent is increasingly harder to come by. With Deloitte research projecting that 2.4 million manufacturing jobs will be unfilled by 2028, the question becomes: What talent and skills do manufacturers need in order to succeed in the factory of the future?

Here we look at five manufacturing jobs and how they are expected to evolve. We highlight the critical new skills needed for these jobs that manufacturers will need to cultivate in order to better recruit, train and upskill workers.

A common thread across all of the jobs below is a trend in “human capabilities”—or soft skills—becoming just as important as technical and manufacturing skills. For example, as artificial intelligence (AI) reduces the need for humans to be involved in lower-value, manual work, workers increasingly need to be able to take on new responsibilities in areas such as problem-solving, communication, interpretation, design thinking and customer engagement.

Five Roles that are Getting Smarter

Several manufacturing roles are changing due to technology innovation. We chose the five roles below to highlight as these roles are experiencing a particularly high level of evolution in the smart factory era and are representative of how manufacturing jobs will continue to evolve.

The Production Planner

The Industrial Engineer

The Operator

The Line Leader

The Quality Engineer

Read about each one in turn in the original article – here

A note of reflection from Steve Gerry – as he retires as PMG Secretary

Steve Gerry – well known Secretary and Treasurer to the PMG – retired earlier in 2022, so we asked Steve to share with us some of his thoughts about his time working with the PMG and its members:

“Reflecting back on my 14 year period as Secretary to Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group or PMG by which the group tends to be known, I have many fond memories. It was with great pleasure back in February 2008 that I took over from my predecessor Mike Boxall who I had first met back in the mid-1990s when he was Chief Executive of the Westcountry Development Corporation.

Of course the origin of the PMG pre-dated both of us as it was formed back in 1977. In fact, it was during my period of office that we celebrated the 40^th anniversary of what had been for decades a  renowned and well-respected group.

Throughout my period as Secretary, I worked with over half a dozen different Chairmen (both male and female), each of which was managing one of the larger manufacturers in the city at their time of office.

I can honestly say that it was a pleasure to work with all of them. I think it must be something to do with their need to be highly practical people, responsible as they are for significant levels of production on a daily basis, that resulted in each of them being pleasant, well grounded, experienced and easy to get on.

The manufacturing sector in Plymouth is undoubtedly one of our economic strengths if not the economic strength of the City. Including as it does, some of the city‘s largest employers such as Babcock and Princess. In fact two-thirds of these larger firms are internationally owned corporations and we all too easily forget as a city how lucky we are to host such top global brand names.

It was during the latter period of my term of office that Plymouth became formally recognised as a top 10 manufacturing city in the UK. For many years, I had read numerous economic reports that were gloomily forecasting a gradual downturn in employment and growth within the sector. I am pleased to say that this never came to fruition and long may that continue.

Despite our best efforts, skill shortages continue to hold the sector back. Some year’s ago, we introduced the annual apprentice jobs fair which we later broadened to include other early careers opportunities including those for graduates. This proved to be highly successful and our collaboration with the local construction sector made it even more worthwhile for parents and young people to attend. We also tried our best to tackle the gender imbalance that exists within manufacturing and we were, for example, instrumental in supporting the women in STEM movement in Plymouth which has been led by a series of very impressive young women.

I took enormous pleasure from the success of our annual Christmas Lecture which was held annually at the University of Plymouth which has been a stalwart supporter of a PMG. The Lecture gave us the opportunity to engage with the local business community in its broadest sense and members of the University staff, particularly from within engineering and business faculties to listen to some of the best minds in Industry and Commerce from across the UK and beyond.

One of the greatest sources of satisfaction for me was the way in which we expanded our membership base to include SME firms from within our sector. This is where future growth lies, and in fact we have already seen that some of our most successful smaller members have grown rapidly to become significant employers in their own right such as Pipex (now part of US giant NOV) and Burts Snacks. And although the PMG is clearly a Plymouth-centric body, a number of our smaller members join us from slightly further afield in South East Cornwall, West Devon, the South Hams, Teignbridge, and Torbay and Exeter.

What matters most for the success of the PMG, both in the past and looking to its future, is the level of engagement and support we enjoy from amongst the membership. It goes without saying that the PMG is nothing without its members and it has been due to the unselfish dedication of many volunteers down the years who have stepped up to serve on our board and to chair our numerous thematic sub groups, covering everything from health and safety to environmental sustainability. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those individuals concerned.

Our defence and marine sectors give the city its USP and international reputation. This is undoubtedly from where our success ultimately lies and it is to the benefit of all manufacturers in the City that we must look to seize opportunities where they exist and when they arise in the future. Personally, I have complete confidence in the future success of our manufacturing and engineering sector and of the PMG as a key sector network and representational group. Fortunately, both are in very safe hands. It is therefore with great pleasure and interest that I now observe the performance of each from a more leisurely distance.

Good luck to all concerned including the incumbent Chair, Karen Friendship and Gemma Selley who now has her hands on the PMG tiller.”

We’re sure you’ll agree, it has been fantastic to hear Steve’s reflections and what he wishes for the future of our manufacturing sector. From all of us, we thank you Steve for all your hard work and dedication to the PMG, its members and of course our city and its surrounds. Wishing you happy and relaxing retirement adventures!

A transformational step for Alstom: completion of the acquisition of Bombardier Transportation

Adopt a Beehive to boost your green credentials!

Britt here from Pollenize CIC!

Agents’ summary of business conditions – 2021 Q2

Manufacturing output increased to close to pre-Covid levels, though supply bottlenecks constrained production in several sectors.

Output among food and beverage producers increased as the hospitality sector stocked up ahead of reopening. Strong demand for construction materials pushed mining and quarrying output above year-ago levels, and contacts in the oil and gas sector said that production was close to pre-pandemic levels.

There were widespread concerns among contacts about the cost and availability of materials and components. Output in the automotive sector continued to be constrained by the shortage of semiconductors. And contacts in some sectors reported stockpiling of materials and components in anticipation of continued supply-chain disruption. There were many reports of lead times increasing.

Contacts reported that Brexit-related issues that had previously impacted on exports – such as customs declarations, rules of origin and product-labelling – were starting to abate as businesses adapted to the new requirements. Demand from the EU for UK goods was reported to have returned. More businesses said they were setting up hubs in the EU in order to continue selling to customers in the region. There was limited evidence of substitution away from EU imports.

More – here

Aiming for Net Zero – A practical workshop – 15th February 2022

For small to medium-sized enterprises – Do you want to take steps to reduce the carbon emissions of your business, but you’re not sure where to start?

Climate change is an urgent issue and all businesses have a responsibility to take action. We know from our recent survey that companies like yours want to take steps in the right direction, but don’t know where to start.

Our Aiming for Net Zero half-day online workshop can help.

This practical, interactive session comes with a free workbook and is broken down into three parts, making it easy to understand and follow. For a special introductory price of £150 + VAT*, our expert trainer will take you through how your business can reduce its impact on the environment and take steps to Net Zero.

The workshop will cover topics such as:

• Why Net Zero is relevant to business
• Business opportunities from acting now on Net Zero
• How much carbon your business emits
• How your business can reduce its carbon emissions
• Incorporating Net Zero into business operations and planning

Upon completing the workshop you will be able to:

• Create a Net Zero pledge
• Create a Carbon Footprint for your business
• Create a Net Zero plan

You will also have the opportunity to join discussions with peers, join breakout sessions and ask questions.

Spaces are limited so book now to ensure you secure your place.

*If you want to attend this workshop free of charge, get in touch with our team to find out more about Chamber membership and the benefits we offer.

Book here 

AIS wins Award for Enterprise in the King’s Awards

AIS is delighted to win its sixth Award for Enterprise in the King’s Awards, previously known as the Queen’s Awards. The company obtained the International Trade Award 2023 for its export success over a three-year period.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, and recognition from His Majesty King Charles III is a testament to everyone at the company.

Read more about this exciting announcement, including the thoughts of Managing Director Andrew Bennion, by clicking the link below.

http://ow.ly/fvAk50NOFCv

Aldermans wins three awards this Autumn Winter!

We always delight when our members win an award but this autumn-winter, Aldermans received not just one business award but three!  

At the Plymouth Live Business Awards the company won the Manufacturing Business of the Year category, which was followed by SME of the Year (Southern Region) in the MAKE UK Manufacturing Awards and then finally, SWMAS presented Aldermans with their Biggest Transformation award to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

These awards recognise the investment made in shopfloor technology and business management systems, while nurturing staff and advancing towards their Carbon Net Zero goal.

Well done Aldermans!

You can read more here!

All the latest newsletters received in the PMG Office – up until 1st June

Download this summary list of newsletters recently received by the PMG Office – here

All the latest newsletters received in the PMG Office during May

Download this summary list of newsletters recently received by the PMG Office – here

Ambitious Growth Plans at Composite Integration

Composite Integration Ltd entered its 20^th year in 2022. Founded in 2002 by Stephen Leonard-Williams and Richard Bland, both having significant experience in RTM, liquid moulding methods and equipment development, it has grown continuously year on year. To provide a comprehensive range of equipment and services to multiple sectors worldwide, Composite Integration assembled a talented technical team covering a variety of engineering subjects including composites, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and software development.

The long-term company vision included building a team to ensure it continued to thrive and grow well beyond the tenure of the founding members and to ensure successful collaborations with clients and partners continued far into the future. To achieve this, a management team has been carefully assembled in recent years with a wide variety of skills and experience and, in December 2021, the company restructured enabling the team to own the equity in the business.

The new team is actively developing and updating the strategic plan to maintain controlled growth of Composite Integration, deliver a growing range of market leading products across multiple sectors and enable us to continue to provide a world class service to our expanding client base.

Who’s who in the Picture: Left to Right – Alan Bond – Senior Design Engineer, Charlie Thomson – Non-Executive Director, David Raynor – Business Development Director, Stephen Ward – Design Engineering Director, Richard Bland – Managing Director, Kelly Ellis – Operations Director, Dr Tim Searle – R&D Director.

AMETEK Fine Tubes Celebrates 60 Years in Plymouth

Plymouth, England (November 07, 2022) – AMETEK Fine Tubes, is marking 60 years since moving to purpose-built premises in Plymouth, Devon, in 1962. The business was originally founded in Surbiton in Surrey in 1943.

Fine Tubes has enjoyed many successes and achievements since its founding, with many of them originating from its 51,000 square foot facility in Plymouth. As well as a large number of business milestones, Fine Tubes employees have raised an impressive £17,000 for local charities over the past four years.

In 1965, the business manufactured AM350 tubes for the Concorde program, while 1977 saw Fine Tubes make major strides in the nuclear field by developing 20/25 Nb nuclear fuel cladding tubes.

Over the years that followed, Fine Tubes expanded into new and ambitious projects, including seamless titanium 3AI/2.5V tubes for aircraft hydraulic systems, clean bore tubing for semiconductors, and data logging tubes for the downhole oil and gas markets. The manufacturer also pioneered several innovations within the medical sector, including titanium tubing for femur and tibia bone nail implants.

Fine Tubes was involved in several high-profile aerospace programs during the late 1990s and 2000s. Projects included supplying high pressure titanium tubing for the hydraulic systems of the Eurofighter, Airbus A380, and Airbus A350.

Other prestigious projects including developing 130 kilometers of cooling tubes for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in 2008 and, more recently, specialist titanium tubing for the Chemical Propulsion System of the Solar Orbiter project.

Dave Cawse, Operations Director at Fine Tubes, says: “Fine Tubes has been operating successfully for almost 80 years and much of our success is attributed to the dedicated, loyal, and talented teams we have working at our production base in Plymouth. We are proud to have been manufacturing in Britain’s beautiful ocean city for 60 years and will be celebrating our diamond anniversary over the course of the year.”

Throughout its time in Plymouth, Fine Tubes has supported the local community, working closely with charities and community groups, local businesses, schools, and Plymouth University.

An Expert Insight – Integrating Business Systems Part 1 in Article Series

In 2023 we shared a useful and insightful article from Shaun Mundy – a local consultant IT leader – a CIO, CTO or IS Director. (to read the previous article about Sustainability in IT click here)

For 2024, Shaun is writing a series of useful IT system articles for the PMG – here is Part 1:

INTEGRATING BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Is your business hampered by double entry of data and/or inconsistent data, and are the KPIs that you need to use to run your business all available when you really would want them?

Perhaps more fundamentally, are you wondering when and how to start integrating your ERP or business system, and has that business system been maintained and upgraded?

So many questions – that lead on to another – Are you wondering whether you should be upgrading or replacing your business system?

Over the next few articles, I’ll try to give you some pointers to help you develop a plan, which will be based around the following topics:

1. Developing a sound reason to integrate, a business case and an efficiency (or quality) issue to resolve.
2. Making the decision on whether to upgrade your ERP or Business System.
3. Mitigating the risks of an ageing ERP or Business System.

Let’s take them one at a time.

PART ONE : Integration Business Case

We all like an elegant system – one where we enter data once, and we have a full and accurate view of data transitions throughout our systems (such as an ERP and maybe a design platform). However, we also live in the real world – with its commercial realities. So, are you clear on the payback for the effort and cost to integrate?

The payback for an integration could be found in a number of ways:

1. Cost reduction – we may be able to remove a role.
2. Efficiency – we may be able to free someone up for more value adding work and/or remove the need to add a role when expanding.
3. Quality – we may be suffering data quality issues with too much double entry of data, and humans nearly always introduce errors. How much do those errors really cost us?

Finally, don’t completely rule out the decision to integrate to improve your Data Quality as a baseline and qualifier for future expansion. Many companies ignore Data Quality and leave themselves sustaining a culture of approximation, and this combined with inconsistent data, means use of modern AI technologies is just impossible. How do you attract talent to work somewhere that inherently disables the implementation of new technology because its data is so poor?

We must develop a clear case so that all resources will understand the reason and benefits for the project – even if it is the acknowledgement that this is hygiene. Remember though, there is an ongoing cost to the business when introducing an integration technology. We should plan to monitor, manage and upgrade this integration platform, otherwise, we are creating more legacy and yet a bigger problem down the line.

If you can identify the benefits of integration formally, or strategically (for talent attraction and as an improved baseline as above), then there are further clear steps to be taken:

1. Document what data lives where now, and does Data Protection apply.
2. Document where the master data should live.
3. Agree the Change Management of that documentation BEFORE any activity commences (i.e. what the process is for future change, how/where it is documented and who can approve).
4. Integration Platform selection.

The platform selection at this stage, is difficult. We must consider the Total Cost of Ownership (upgrades, resources required to manage it, subscription costs, installation costs), frequency of update (is real-time required or is overnight sufficient?), but also look forward to understanding the likely future scale. If you’ve defined a financial goal, how long might this platform have to pay for itself.

Even simpler, is a new single system encompassing all of your activities likely to be a cheaper choice.

Perhaps the most important result of working through this activity, is a greater understanding of where you are now in terms of a documented state of your data, the internal cost of that in-efficiency and the forming of your strategy to deal with it. You have also introduced the concept of Change to your team as a precursor to anything that follows. Let’s call this “Digital Readiness” – it’s about being in a position where you can be more Data Driven and re-use your data to drive more efficiencies and / or surface the data to your clients that they need to see (performance or product data).

Next time, I’ll be covering the second issue – Making the decision on whether to upgrade your ERP or Business System.

Shaun Mundy

+44 7970 243361

https://calendly.com/shaun-mundy

An Expert Insight – Sustainability in I.T

Below we have a useful and insightful article from Shaun Mundy – a local consultant IT leader – a CIO, CTO or IS Director.

Shaun can bring transformational benefits to businesses of all sizes, joining your senior leadership teams to own and deliver your IT and digital strategy as needed. 

We asked Shaun to pick up on Sustainability with his IT expert hat on, as it’s such an important topic which threads through all parts of a business and here are his insights: 

“The IT sector, in terms of its carbon footprint, is on a par with the global aviation industry. It’s projected that the IT sector could scale to up to 20% of the global electricity demand over the coming decades, and also that for Small Businesses, IT may account for up to 40% of the carbon footprint in extreme circumstances.

So, even though many IT Departments are supporting their business with an application to collect data and report on their carbon footprint, isn’t it time to be measuring the Carbon Footprint in IT itself? If you haven’t got even an approximate baseline to understand, how can you plan a material improvement?

IT hasn’t come under great scrutiny yet, as the reporting has mostly been focused on Scopes 1 and 2 – and that means that the IT footprint & impact in the office is hidden within those scope 1 and 2 numbers.

Therefore, the actual footprint for IT hasn’t been critical to know – as it’s wrapped up in the overall energy reporting.

Over recent years, many companies have moved their servers to a Data Centre or to the Cloud. This means that they are in Scope 3, and this is where the focus is due to move as companies get challenged to report on their wider supply chain.  With the Carbon Reduction Plan, you may be required to understand your Scope 3 emissions to supply some of your clients.

Capturing the carbon footprint of the Desktops, Laptops, Printers and more, is a really difficult task to achieve accurately. The good news is that what we really need to do, to drive down those Scope 1-3 numbers, is to understand the nature of the emissions and make decisions to reduce our footprint and we will see the impact on the energy used. Data is also published to make this baseline easier and to enable us to plan. All the major manufacturers publish PCFs (Product Carbon Footprint), which summarise the emissions associated with their equipment.

One of the first things you would notice is how little of the footprint is associated with the usage of the product – typically 50% is associated with the manufacture and shipping of the product (across the industry). For laptops and desktops, the percentage is even higher – 85.9% is quoted for a typical Dell laptop used over 4 years. The quoted range for usage can still vary though (as you would expect – as we all work different hours and utilise our laptops differently for different applications).

If the manufacture of the equipment is so dominant, how can we make a difference to our company carbon footprint? There are a number of ways – but here are just a few:

1. consider buying refurbished PCs and Servers rather than brand new
2. dispose of the PC for reuse (and so gain a carbon credit in some countries)
3. look at energy settings on all the PCs
4. plan your adoption of ALL new technology (such as AI) which might be driving your carbon footprint up rather than down

It’s important here to repeat that we don’t need to actually measure the specific usage – but to understand the nature of the carbon footprint and plan a reduction. We could potentially work at a number of levels of detail, but all, if used consistently, will allow planning for reduction. We can use the PCFs as mentioned above, we can calculate a predicted emission for usage hours or we can move to full on measurement, but that final stage is unlikely to yield a greater impact upon the plan to reduce your IT Carbon Footprint.

Data Centres (or Server Rooms with their own local air conditioning), depending on scale, can often be the bigger target. A planned migration to cloud and/or retirement of little or un-used applications can have a strong effect. With scope 3 becoming of greater importance, assessing your Data Centres and/or Cloud environment is the next step.

Servers and Storage at a Data Centre is broadly a similar approach to that of the desktops and laptops listed above, although if in a shared environment, some thought needs to be given to virtualisation (virtualisation is the ability to run more than one virtual server on one physical server). The actual Data Centre and its location are also key assessment criteria.

If you have a cloud environment, you can work with your provider to look at the Carbon Footprint of your environment. For instance, Microsoft offer an app (a PowerBI report to be specific) which can pull down your emissions, and also allow you to estimate how much you have saved by being in the cloud rather than hosting your own servers.

So, the data is available for you to pull together your Carbon Footprint, or at least, to get enough data to plan a material reduction in your IT Carbon Footprint. This should then form a core part of your IT strategy.”

If you’d like to reach out to Shaun Mundy to tap into his expertise – here is a little more information about Shaun: 

No IT department is perfect – what is your challenge? It could be in any of the spaces in which I have experience:

1. Converting your IT department from an overhead cost, to one that is aligned to supporting your strategy
2. Driving better alignment and service from your outsourced partners
3. Assessing your ageing platforms, and developing a strategy to update those systems for business advantage or to reduce risk
4. Digital Growth (including AI and Data Driven),
5. Business Systems – focused on Business and Process Efficiency
6. Core IT Systems – with issues such as Service Management, Cost Mgmt or Risk Management in areas such as Cyber

I have worked as a senior IT/IS leader in different sectors (retail marketing, software, consulting), but have enjoyed my last two roles in manufacturing.

I can work in both a project mode (i.e. a technology assessment), or on a fractional model which would mean that I join your senior team on a regular cycle – weekly, monthly or multiple days per week. We would select this based upon the scale and complexity of the challenge we face.

I also have a speciality in looking at the carbon footprint of your IT environment.

I am completely independent of any suppliers, so you can trust my recommendations based upon my history in senior positions including in a FTSE50 organisation.

I’d love the opportunity to discuss how we can help your business drive growth with technology.

Shaun Mundy

+44 7970 243361

https://calendly.com/shaun-mundy

An Expert Insight – Integrating Business Systems Part 2 in Article Series

In 2023 we shared a useful and insightful article from Shaun Mundy – a local consultant IT leader – a CIO, CTO or IS Director. (to read the previous article about Sustainability in IT click here)

For 2024, Shaun is writing a series of useful IT system articles for the PMG – here is Part 2:  (Click here for Part 1)

Welcome to the second part of my three part series on Integrating Business Systems.

Over the next few articles, I’ll try to give you some pointers to help you develop a plan, which will be based around the following topics:

1. Developing a sound reason to integrate, a business case and an efficiency (or quality) issue to resolve.
2. Making the decision on whether to upgrade your ERP or Business System.
3. Mitigating the risks of an ageing ERP or Business System.

This time, let’s look at the second issue.

  PART TWO : Existing Business Systems – Upgrade or Not?

If your business system has not been maintained and is now considered legacy, then you have a problem. Potentially multiple problems.

1. Lack of support.
2. Lack of functionality – which means you could become un-competitive against your competitors.
3. Cyber Risk (plus Data Protection as mentioned in part one)
4. Integrations may be throwaway.

So, you have to find a way through!

My first question is, have you recently managed a large-scale business change? If not, then please think twice before you consider a new and replacement system. IT / ERP systems implementations are very disruptive projects and serious investments, and when you have little or no recent experience of a major change throughout your business, it could be a huge risk to the continued operations.

Change Management is a discipline in itself, and this is more of a challenge than implementing the technical system. It includes taking your best people away from your day-to-day operations and dedicating them to the new system design.

If you have now recently managed a large-scale business change but have some remaining drivers that will force you to change system, I would be recommending what is known as a technical upgrade – moving to the latest version of your systems. This has a number of advantages such as maintaining consistency for your staff (and so less business change), it will open up new functionality to give you efficiency (to consider introducing AFTER the upgrade is completed) and give you the opportunity to integrate. Also, a partner should be able to lead this migration with less difficulty. However, the same rule applies – your best people will need to dedicate time to the system testing.

But why would you not integrate and get efficiency first?

Well maybe you can choose one or two of the Cases identified above, but we should verify that the method of integration hasn’t changed for future versions of your system so that you don’t waste your money. Imagine implementing some great efficiencies, then doing an upgrade and finding you have to pay for them all again!

Another message to repeat from Part One is to plan for the costs and resources to maintain whatever system you might move to. Otherwise, the whole cycle repeats itself. This includes monitoring for patches that need to be applied to both the application, the servers and everything that surrounds your system.

What are the answers to managing this burden. Two common solutions are Outsourcing and migrating to the Cloud. Neither mean you can forget about it though – you need to be sure that the processes are followed as it is your business that will suffer.

Outsourcing the Management of the Platform:

There are partners who will manage this for you but be careful to select one that is rigorous in its approach and will not be shy of telling you what you need to know. This includes advice for change, flexibility for both periodic and emergency upgrades, audited backup and more. The scheduling of out of hours upgrades is also important.

Cloud:

Moving to a Cloud environment is more than just fashionable. It can be cheaper, better for the environment and more secure. However, again you must be sure of the service definitions including backup. Data retention may be very limited and failover in the case of interruption of service needs to be paid for if you want it. Remember, when it comes down to it, the cloud is actually a bunch of servers in a managed Data Centre.

Being on the latest platform for whatever you use will come with another whole host of benefits, including new functionality and some level of “off the shelf” AI badged solutions to aid efficiency. However, it’s yet another role – to have someone focused on the new releases and updates to assess how the releases of functionality might help and whether to adopt for business advantage.

To read the third and final issue in this series click here –  Mitigating the risks of an ageing ERP or Business System.

An Expert Insight – Integrating Business Systems Part 3 in Article Series

In 2023 we shared a useful and insightful article from Shaun Mundy – a local consultant IT leader – a CIO, CTO or IS Director. (to read the previous article about Sustainability in IT click here)

For 2024, Shaun is writing a series of useful IT system articles for the PMG – here is the third and final part:

Welcome to the 3^rd and final part of my article suite considering the decisions around Integrating Business Systems.

As a reminder, here are the three topics covered.

1. Developing a sound reason to integrate, a business case and an efficiency (or quality) issue to resolve.
2. Making the decision on whether to upgrade your ERP or Business System.
3. Mitigating the risks of an ageing ERP or Business System.

Today, we look at part three.

PART THREE : Mitigating the risks of an ageing ERP or Business System

In Part Two, I mentioned the Cyber Risk of an ageing platform. Surely, if you have a good firewall, it doesn’t matter how old your systems are on your internal network? I’m afraid it does.

Anyone who tells you that they can make you safe from Cyber-Attack Is sadly mis-leading you. New bugs are found all the time (including for firewalls), and they result in something called a “Zero Day Attack”. This is the attack to take advantage of a known bug for which a fix has not yet been released.

Also, human error does occur. Firewalls can be mis-configured, and updates missed, attackers can get in through malware or gaining access to a user password and a whole host of other ways. The bottom line is that you should maintain all your network to avoid what is known as “lateral movement” – the ability to jump to a poorly protected system as a base for further attack.

If you have systems that are now out of support and cannot be updated any further, you should consider all or some of the following precautions:

1. Test your backups and be sure that they are “off network”. You should have a documented process to know how to bring back your systems and your data, know how long it will take and what hardware you need to do it. And if your backups are online (i.e. stored on your network), get them offline so that any ransomware could not encrypt them too. Even further, do you have a full Business Continuity Plan?
2. Apply the patches you can for the Operating Systems itself and the application – but only once you have tested your backups. The process of patching can break things too – so go through any catch-up process carefully but rigorously.
3. Cyber Essentials – do look at all your Cyber protections to limit the angles of attack. This would look at your access control process, policies on your laptops and PCs and more.
4. Network segmentation – sounds complex, but a great further step to protect yourself may be to put your critical systems and data behind a second firewall. This can be configured to limit the access and so reduce the chance of the “lateral movement” I mentioned above. It’s a technical process but can be done without impact to the users.

SUMMARY

I hope I’ve summarised some of the issues to consider when looking at integration, systems upgrades and cyber protection, and I hope I’ve kept it relatively simple.

If there are key messages, I’d like to summarise as follows:

1. Don’t take on a big change until you’ve experience of managing lots of small change.
2. Keep your systems elegant and simple. Complexity leads to Cost.
3. Improving Data Quality is a good goal as a baseline – but then maintain your documentation otherwise you start all over again.
4. Any system needs managing – don’t start unless you are willing to take on that cost and burden (whether it’s insourced or outsourced).
5. Do take Cyber Protection very seriously!

To go back to Part 1 in the series click here.

An expert insight: Do manufacturers still need CAD?

An expert insight: Do manufacturers still need CAD?

By David Danfer, MD, Caddology Ltd

Computer-aided design (CAD) has long been used in the manufacturing industry to revolutionise the way products are designed and developed. First used at MIT in the1950s, CAD has been continually developed now enabling us to generate accurate 3D design models for digital testing, detailed evaluation and analysis, simulation before prototyping or production stages.

But is CAD still relevant amid the advanced capabilities of Industry 4.0 technologies?

In short, yes! The product development process still relies on CAD, engineering designers and software. Together, they help manufacturers speed up the design process and achieve a higher level of performance in a product’s fit, form and function.

3D CAD files can be viewed and edited from all viewpoints, whilst using a whole raft of CAD library elements and design tools to help accelerate this part of the process. Thanks to cloud technology, CAD files can also be shared with and worked on by multiple parties, no matter where they are based, ensuring a robust cohesive process.

Industry 4.0 technologies are, in fact, enhancing the design process but not replacing it. More accurate physical prototypes are being created care of virtual and augmented reality. Virtual prototyping is being used by manufacturing businesses to put CAD designs through digital tests or to place them in the relevant environment to see how they look and perform, rather than wasting time and effort on creating physical models.

Couple this with the evolution of smarter CAD software that can predict and suggest changes to fix any potential problems to make a design more accurate to bring it to the protype stage much faster, then the blend of CAD and Industry 4.0 technologies looks very positive.

The challenge is trying to find experienced engineers who have the skills to use the relevant CAD software effectively. There are also multiple CAD software platforms and versions to master, while each version needs to be updated regularly and requires serious processing power to run effectively.

Furthermore, designers often do not have enough of the right experience for designing and developing parts, components and full assemblies. Designers who work in isolation, with no understanding on how these parts are to be manufactured, often fall at the first hurdle.

It is vital for any part design to utilise latest Design for Manufacturing (DFM) techniques to understand how it will be manufactured in detail, and we work closely with production and quality engineers during the initial design phases.

Devon-based Caddology Ltd has worked with multiple manufacturing businesses to meet their engineering design and CAD needs, while also providing reverse engineering and finite element analysis services.

Caddology seamlessly integrates with your design and production teams to ensure an effective solution is delivered. We can offer support at all levels bringing all our expertise and licenced software with us, plus human and PC processing power!

If you need CAD or engineering design support, please not hesitate to contact us at info@caddology.co.uk

An opportunity to help shape Plymouth’s future engineering graduates

The Mechanical – Marine Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee (MMIAC) is a forum comprised of experienced mechanical, marine and manufacturing engineering company representatives from across the SW region and academic members of staff from within the University of Plymouth’s School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics.

Working in partnership with the MMIAC, the University ensures that it keeps their student’s curriculum up-to-date with issues facing the profession and that they are highly employable when they graduate.

Nominations are now being sought from local manufacturers to help boost the representation of the private sector on this important body.

With the University currently planning its New Engineering and Design Facility, there has never been a more exciting time to be engaged.

The role is not onerous in terms of time commitment. The Committee meets twice a year for a couple of hours. What it seeks to do most, is to tap into your lifetime of knowledge and experience as an engineer.

See full details – here

Are you Interested in making more effective use of your CSR strategy and aligning this to the Sustainable Development Goals through supporting local and global health in Plymouth? 

As UK and global populations age and suffer preventable long term conditions, the economic viability of businesses will come into increasing focus because their workforce is drawn from these populations. Medical expenditure, absenteeism, loss of skills through disability and death, and reduced productivity will increasingly challenge businesses. At the same time, businesses are increasingly operating in the context of wider political, environmental, social and technological challenges, not least those presented by COVID, global inequalities, climate change and loss of trust in politics and governments. These challenges and opportunities call for radically new ways of collaboration.

Accordingly, the South West Global Health Collaborative (GHC), which exists to improve local and global health, is interested in working more collaboratively with local businesses in Plymouth who want to demonstrate and/or strengthen their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials. (For an explanation of ESG see – here)

Businesses do not have to be health-related. The Sustainable Development Goals highlight how every single sector has a role in ensuring that economic growth is promoted without compromising equity and fairness. That’s why we want to work with every business in the city who recognises their role in this and wants to fulfil it

Established at the University of Plymouth in 2016 alongside a Masters course in Global Health, the Collaborative brings together extensive experience and expertise amongst local health workers who are all engaged in international health partnerships. The government has now pulled some international health funding that has affected several new projects, but this could also present an opportunity for health and business to work more closely together, taking a more visible leadership role in this agenda.

The GHC ethos is that

• “Health is interdependent and interconnected – it is no longer possible to separate health issues in the UK from health issues abroad….” – All Party Parliamentary Group in Global Health
• ‘Education must be globalised for all NHS staff’…. who ‘must deliver effective care to multicultural communities with diverse needs’ and ‘must understand the effects of globalisation on health and health systems.’ – Health Education England
• Health is determined by problems, issues and concerns that transcend national boundaries,” and are thus beyond the capacity of individual countries to address through domestic institutions – Public Health England GH strategy 2014-2019/ 2008 and UK Government ‘Health is Global’ Strategy
• Almost every health service problem has been solved at some scale somewhere. Health workforce crisis, patient empowerment, etc – and often by health services developed under more austere conditions.
• The reciprocal benefits of working together and sharing innovation globally are well recognised at NHS health worker, but also whole health system, level.

There are a number of planned new projects underway in the collaborative:

• Plymouth and Uganda working together on building community health worker roles and empowering these workers and their communities to collect own data and prioritise own health needs through geospatial mapping technology
• Paramedicine partnership with an NGO in Nepal on first responder services
• Midwifery partnership with community midwifery services in rural Ethiopia

There are many existing other global partnerships /projects with opportunities for additional collaboration – these can be found at:

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/global-health-collaborative/projects

Please contact the leads for the GHC tara.harrop@plymouth.ac.uk / lucy.obolensky@plymouth.ac.uk if you would like to explore collaborating with us on any global and local health projects.

Argos Fire Protection introduces new products offering even greater protection.

We have been around a fair few years now starting out as a fire extinguisher maintenance company in St Ives, Cornwall back in 1969, we soon grew a loyal customer following by providing an efficient and focused 24hr service and started to expand our offering to include fire training, risk assessments, fire alarm servicing and installation. As the company grew we moved our head office to Exeter where we could expand outwards, we have always strived to provide the products that customers need so we can be the company of choice. We have now been a Diamond Install and Service partner for Ansul R-102 kitchen suppression for over 10yrs and have seen this area grow in recent times and are very proud to say we are one of only 6 companies in the country to receive BAFE SP 206 Accreditation.

2020 – The start of an unprecedented time for the whole world, a very worrying time which is hopefully now easing and allowing businesses especially hospitality and travel to start trading at something closer to normal levels. As a business we are proud to say our heritage kept us somewhat shielded from the effects and we were able to maintain our staff levels and since returning back full time early this year we have even grown the number of staff we employ.

One thing the pandemic did do is allow us to look again at what products we could offer to protect our customers further in the future, one such product that caught our attention is that offered by a company called Reacton who we have partnered with to provide cutting edge fire suppression systems that can be designed to protect Vehicles, Farm Machinery, CNC Machines, Electrical Consumer Units, Residential Kitchens and many other applications. We chose Reacton as their systems do not require any electrical input therefore can offer a stand-alone solution in most environments.

Another product that we felt would plug a gap in current protection offerings are flame spotting cameras and we chose a company called Ciqurix (Formerly Spot Fire) as once again their products are cutting edge and can be designed to BS5839 compliance, these cameras can spot a flame inside or outside up to 180 metres away in under 15 seconds which is extremely useful in high roofed buildings and outside where traditional detection is not available.

We are ready to your answer questions about our products and services! Please contact your local consultant Phil Lawrence on 07966 031431 or email phil@argosfire.co.uk

Please also visit our website for further information on the products and services we offer at www.argosfire.co.uk

Artemis Optical recognised with prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Commenting, CEO Nick Hurst said, “we feel very honoured to have been selected for this award which principally recognises the efforts we have made to increase our exports in recent years but also recognises the huge effort that has been made by all our employees to design, manufacture and deliver our high-quality products which now are sold around the world.” He added “I think it is wonderful that a small west country company like ours has been honoured in this way by her Majesty The Queen and we are very flattered to have received this recognition”.

Artemis Optical’s Activities, from KTP’s and Capital Investment to Podcasts and welcoming MPs

Awarding vocational and technical qualifications in 2021

This article applies to BTEC, OCR Cambridge Technicals, Pre-U, Core Maths, IB, professional and technical qualifications (for GCSE, A or AS levels see our article: Awarding academic grades in 2021 without examinations)

In brief

The Government has confirmed that teacher judgements will play a crucial role in awarding results for students of vocational and technical qualifications this year. In some cases, assessments may still go ahead, either remotely or in person where it is safe. Assessments evaluating professional competence must take place, but may be subject to delays due to public health and safety. Students will be kept updated.

An online interactive tool will be released on the government website during March so students can check which approach is being used for each qualification.

The aim is that students will be awarded a grade to reflect what they know so they can move on to the next stage of their life.

In summary

Applied generals – including BTEC, OCR Cambridge Technicals, Pre U, core maths

Teacher assessment based on the work completed, such as tasks performed and course work.

International Baccalaureate

Cancelled in the UK. Awaiting announcement due mid-March about how they will be awarded.

Functional skills

Teacher assessed grades will be awarded if assessments cannot be taken due to public health measures.

Professional or occupational qualifications

Assessments must be taken, although this may be conducted in a different way to normal (such as remotely or using social distancing) so there may be delays. Awarding organisations will advise colleges or training providers of when grades can be awarded based on when assessments can take place.

Read the complete article – here

B2B Contact – The Importance of a Safe Working Environment when managing Warehouses & Storage

Article from R&D Machinery near Totnes

Managing a warehouse and/or storage facility can be a difficult task, especially when you consider the regulatory compliance that goes together with the job. The costs to businesses are also impactful as shown here;

• 39.8 million workdays lost due to workplace injuries.
• 325 cases prosecuted by HSE in GB 2019/2020
• £35.77 million pounds in health and safety offences.
• Average 1,300 accidents involving forklift trucks every year.
• 19% of all workplaces manual handling injuries are made up of elementary storage occupations.
• 29% of employee injuries are from falls, slips, or trips.
• Up to 10 years in jail and £1 million pound fine – the cost of failing to comply to LOLER and PUWER regulations 1998.
• 39.8 million workdays lost due to workplace injuries.
• Breach of health and safety – 2 years in jail and unlimited fines.
• Average cost of fines £100,000.00 relating to material handling accidents.

 Even during their quietest period’s, warehouses are under pressure. With so much going on – under such a small roof – there is always a risk of something going wrong. The casual worker may brush off damage to a pallet, racking, a product, or the machine they are using – and yet its consequences could have serious ramifications.

Injuries are not outside the realm of possibility in the workplace as the statistics above show. Warehouse safety should be treated with the upmost respect, otherwise, it could lead to loss of stock, loss of production and potentially and the worst-case scenario loss of life.

R&D Machinery is a privately owned company with depots located in the South West of England giving quick and easy access to Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset. We are the main dealers for the entire Manitou product range of machinery, which includes over 100 different models working in all different industry areas. I am the Industrial specialist and can provide great ways to improve your productivity, time, damage control and ultimately the safety of your staff.

Jason Fullard, of R & D Machinery Ltd

Email – Jason@rdmachinery.co.uk

Babcock and Plymouth Science Park launch advanced manufacturing lab in new innovation partnership

Babcock International, has opened a new state of-the-art Additive Manufacturing centre as part of a new partnership with Plymouth Science Park (PSP).

The facility will allow Babcock to ramp up its advanced technology capabilities to address critical needs across the engineering and defence support industry and will include the development of a digital and data skills programme in collaboration with PSP. The facility will enable the company to direct print metal parts for the first time as it needs them, increasing efficiency and sustainability.

Read the full article here

Babcock announces collaborative relationship creating 90 jobs at Devonport

Babcock announces a new relationship with Devon-based Supacat, to deliver an order of 70 High Mobility Transporters (HMT 400 series) from the UK Ministry of Defence. The order was placed with Supacat on behalf of the British Army.

Read more about Babcock news here.

Babcock awarded Asset Availability Service contract continuing in-service support to Phalanx Close Weapon System

Babcock International, the Aerospace, Defence and Security Company, has been awarded a two year contract with the Ministry of Defence, for continuation of in-service support to the Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS).

Phalanx CIWS is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system and is the Royal Navy’s primary defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles.

The c. £15m agreement will see Babcock continue in-service support to the system from specialised facilities at the Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth. Babcock is responsible for technical support, upgrades, maintenance and ensuring operational availability of the Weapons Systems to the Royal Navy fleet on an Asset Availability Service basis.

Richard Drake, Managing Director, Babcock Defence Systems Technology, said ‘We are delighted to once again extend our role supplying in-service support that ensures the availability of the Royal Navy’s Phalanx weaponry. Using our global support capability and programme specific expertise built up over many years, we are well positioned to continue providing the Royal Navy with first class in-service support to its gunnery.’

Original story  – here

Babcock awarded five year contract extension for Royal Navy 4.5 Medium Calibre Gun

Babcock International, the Aerospace and Defence Company, and BAE Systems, have been awarded a five year contract extension by the Ministry of Defence to continue in-service support to the Royal Navy’s 4.5 Mk8 Medium Calibre Gun (MCG).

The agreement is worth c. £43m and will see the continuation of in-service support to the 4.5 MCG across 19 Type 23 Frigates and Type 45 Destroyers as well as HMS Collingwood. The continued collaboration between Babcock and BAE Systems, the Gun’s designer, offers the capacity, proven capabilities and infrastructure to safely and effectively run in-service support.

Babcock has also opted to implement innovative Digital Twin technology to drive an increase in reliability and availability of the weapons system and work to extend its service life. The effort to increase efficiency will also see the roll out of BAE Systems’ design interventions.

The Digital Twin enables digital connection with the asset presenting near real time insight to the materiel state of the Gun. It combines Babcock proprietary data capture technology and data science capability, augmenting Babcock’s engineering pedigree in Naval Gun support. The technology provides the on-board maintainer with the information they need to optimise maintenance and provides Babcock the foresight needed to predict future faults and proactively intervene to keep the asset operational and increase availability.

The full press release can be read – here

Babcock awarded seven year pump Equipment contract for HM Ships and Submarines

Babcock International, the Aerospace and Defence Company, has secured a seven-year, c. £50m contract with the Ministry of Defence for the repair and maintenance of Sea Water Systems on HM Ships and Submarines.

The arrangement leads on from Babcock’s previous programmes, and will operate from Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth. It will see Babcock continue in its role providing repairs, technical support and maintenance to pump equipment on board the Royal Navy Fleet. Under the asset availability service, Babcock’s scope will increase to support the Chloropac and Bio-foul systems.

Richard Drake, Managing Director of Babcock’s Defence Systems Technology business, said “We are delighted to continue our partnership with our customer on this programme; this award builds on our already strong relationship. We will provide first-class technical support and engineering services to pump equipment for the Royal Navy, helping ensure maximum availability of their assets.”

Babcock has been working with suppliers to explore innovative new solutions in manufacturing and supplying pump components with the aim to further extend pump reliability and drive even greater efficiency for our customer.

Source: here

Babcock issues business update

Today Babcock International Group issues a business update for the financial year ending 31 March 2021 (FY21) including an update on reviews currently taking place and our headline unaudited results. This announcement is being made ahead of the Group’s Preliminary Results announcement to provide some early transparency on key issues.

To view the business update click here

Babcock pledges to reduce emissions to net zero by 2040

Babcock is pleased to announce we have signed the Business Ambition for 1.5o Pledge to limit global warming in line with the Paris Agreement, enabling us to join the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Race to Zero and the We Mean Business Coalition.

This pledge commits Babcock to setting science-based emission reduction targets aligned with 1.5oC, which we aim to achieve by 2030, and sets us on course for decarbonising our estate, assets and operations to reach our overarching goal of net zero emissions by 2040.

David Lockwood, CEO said: “Babcock is committed to playing our part in addressing the Global Climate Crisis. Through our Plan Zero 40 approach, we will minimise the impact of our operations and strive to embed the highest standards in environmental management and protection. We will also grasp the opportunity to be a leader in low carbon enablement and drive low carbon innovation throughout our value chain. Achieving our targets will require commitment, innovation and collaboration between our employees, customers, suppliers and wider stakeholders and we look forward to working together will all our partners on the journey to net zero.”

View this article on our website – here

Babcock retains Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon

Babcock is pleased to have secured recertification of the Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon, which it has held since 2010.

The certification process included a quantitative assessment of carbon emissions, as well as a qualitative assessment of governance, carbon accounting and carbon management.

The Carbon Trust confirmed that Babcock achieved 14.9% absolute carbon reduction across its UK based operations in the 2018 – 2020 compliance period. The recertification demonstrates Babcock’s ongoing commitment to the highest standards in energy and carbon management and its effectiveness in addressing the global climate crisis.

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “We are fully committed to minimising the impact of our operations and strive to embed the highest standards in environmental management and protection.  This recertification by the Carbon Trust is another positive step on our journey towards decarbonising our estate, assets and operations, and achieving our goal of net zero emissions by 2040.”

View this article on our website

Babcock’s role in support of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group tour

And they’re off! Described as the Royal Navy’s most significant deployment in a generation – the UK’s Carrier Strike Group tour of duty has commenced.

Led by flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth the group will visit more than one fifth of the world’s nations covering 26,000 nautical miles. Babcock is proud of our strong association with the Royal Navy and all of the platforms in the deployment – our very best wishes go to everyone serving and supporting this fantastic opportunity.

Proud to play our part – watch our video on LinkedIn to find out more about Babcock’s contribution.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/babcock-international-group/videos/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3B48X03Ob3SE2UfWjDxXtrRQ%3D%3D

Balazs Bagi, Managing Director of Improved Ways Limited

My name is Balazs Bagi and I am the Managing Director of a young and upcoming business to business service provider and consultancy company called Improved Ways Limited. We’re based in North Devon. The company’s primary focus is to provide business services and management system improvement advice for reputable organisations just like yours. What we are offering is to provide a professional service including Quality, Environmental and Health and Safety (QEHS) management systems implementation / upgrade / integration and to assist in delivering various QEHS improvement programmes to private and public sector organisations (5 to 250 employees) across the UK. We also have extensive experience with aerospace quality management systems such as AS9100D.

Services:

1. Installation of ISO business management systems (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018)
2. Installation of EN9100:2018 aerospace quality management system
3. Installation of integrated business management systems. ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 integrated into one single business management system reducing certification and operational costs and maximising benefits
4. Delivery of quality, environmental and health and safety training. As part of the service our company would take care of your organisation’s quality, environmental and health and safety training needs starting with planning through implementation and training efficiency monitoring.

Company website: www.improvedwayslimited.co.uk

Best regards,

Balazs Bagi

MSc, Tech IOSH, CQP MCQI, CMgr MCMI

ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 & AS9100 Management Consultant

Managing Director

Improved Ways Limited

Mobile: 00-44-(0)7986558587

Skype: Improved Ways Limited

Website: www.improvedwayslimited.co.uk

E-mail 1: balazs.bagi@improvedwayslimited.co.uk

E-mail 2: improved.ways@gmail.com

Bandvulc Celebrates 50 years with its eyes firmly on the Future

Retreading experts Bandvulc mark its 50th anniversary this year, and while the successes of the past are celebrated, the organisation has its eyes firmly on the future.

Bandvulc is Britain’s foremost commercial retreader.  The Devon-based operation began re-using rubber to make retread tyres back in 1971, retreading just 30 tyres a week for local use. Acquired by Continental Tyres in 2016, Bandvulc now produces a premium quality retread tyre every three minutes to serve commercial vehicle customers across the country.

Its 50th anniversary is marked by the introduction of the next generation of quality retread products, with major investment planned for their facility at Lee Mill, just outside Plymouth.

“We believe in the old saying that ‘standing still is going backwards’,” says Bandvulc Operations Director Tony Mailling. “So we keep innovating, we keep developing and creating new products, and we look at changes in manufacturing and technology that will make us more effective and more energy efficient, into the next 50 years.”

Bandvulc pioneered retread technology, which prolongs the lifespan of tyres and contributes to lower carbon emissions in tyre production. Its Ivybridge plant unites tyre recycling and retreading under one roof, setting new benchmarks in sustainability.

The 2016 Continental acquisition saw mutual benefits for both brands, who had existing 25 year working relationship, including a five-year investment plan, with projects designed to increase efficiency at the Bandvulc plant aligned with predicted increase in demand for retreads.

Tony Mailing says, “Sustainable manufacturing developments and legislative changes are being driven at an accelerated pace,” he says. “We are well ahead of the game and remain at the forefront of sustainable tyre manufacturing – the reuse and recycle approach is in our DNA.

“This year we’ve made a £1 million investment in automation in one of our build cells which is due to be on stream later this winter. It’s a huge investment, the biggest for many a year, and we plan more investment next year with a further robotics project.”

And for Mailling, such investment is only half the story, crediting the development of its 300 strong manufacturing workforce as another key to the brand’s success. He says, “We mark our 50th anniversary with many employees able to count their association with the company in decades rather than years.

“We invest to ensure the tyres we produce deliver exceptional levels of quality and performance, we are quick to respond to customer needs, and we invest in training to ensure our people have the right skills for each area of production.”

Read the complete article – here

In addition to recognising their history within the business, Bandvulc also used its milestone birthday as an opportunity to say thank you to its local community. The company has given away a series of £250 grants to charities and community groups that shared the same Devon postcode – PL21. Read the full article here.

Bandvulc Launches Wastemaster 5

Devon-based Bandvulc are preparing to roll out the latest state-of-the-art tyre in their Wastemaster range after extensive testing and field trials. The launch of the Wastemaster 5 marks the 5th generation of the Wastemaster tyre product which has been developed, tested and produced at Bandvulc’s Ivybridge factory.  The Wastemaster 5 will replace the Wastemaster III, a proven product in the waste sector that has been around for more than 20 years.

Tony Mailling, Operations Director at Bandvulc comments; “Over the past 2 years we have seen strong growth in the waste and construction market, which is buoyant at the moment because there’s lot of infrastructure and housing being built.  Our understanding of UK roads and vehicle operating conditions has been a key tool in our market research for this exciting new product.  The waste collection market is changing; waste is more segregated now with more collections a week and the collection vehicles are operational in all weather conditions such as sleet, snow, or heavy rain.  Our roads can be subject to a lot of debris especially in urban areas so our tyres need to be equipped with features to perform for the driver in all conditions”.

Specialist waste vehicles providing kerbside waste collections and operating in recycling sites require a hardworking tyre.  Tyres in this industry can be subject to sidewall damage from kerbing, tread damage from stone trapping, chip and chunking from rough surfaces, all which can result in premature removal and not achieving the full life of the tyre.

Read the full story – here

Bandvulc’s environmental and sustainability actions recognised at Western Morning News Business Awards

Ivybridge-based Bandvulc has been recognised at this year’s Western Morning News Business Awards after being selected as a finalist for the Environmental and Sustainability Award. A finalist’s trophy was presented to Bandvulc’s team during an exclusive awards ceremony in Exeter, which celebrates innovative businesses from across Devon and Cornwall.

To be in with a chance of winning the Environmental and Sustainability Award, judges sought out companies that were working to achieve an environmentally conscious operation. The businesses also needed to demonstrate that they had steps in place to reduce carbon emissions, implement sustainable working and maximise energy efficiency.

As part of its submission, Bandvulc was able to highlight its department-wide ‘zero to landfill’ policy, as well as its ability to save 30kg of rubber, 20kg of steel and 60kg of CO2 on every retreaded tyre it produces.

Bandvulc has also reduced the number of solvents it uses, in favour of water-based products. Plans are being drawn up to add to the existing solar technology, which already contributes to powering the site and machinery. Employees are encouraged to take waste materials, such as disused wooden pallets, home for use in DIY projects.

Justin Holloway, Quality and Environmental Manager at Bandvulc, said: “We’re delighted to have made it as a finalist against stiff competition from a number of similarly innovative companies. The whole business of retreading is based upon the recycling of tyre casings, so we are passionate advocates for sustainable business practices. Although we didn’t take the top prize, our position as a finalist is still a result of lots of hard work by every Bandvulc employee to embrace and deliver against our environmentally focused policies, and we’re all proud to have been recognised locally for our efforts”.

Image: Bandvulc Business Awards_Team

(L-R) Rob Atkinson – Health and Safety Manager (Bandvulc); Peter Robb – Marketing Director (Continental); Laura Johnston – Brand Marketing Communications Manager (Continental); Zoe Scott – Fleet Pricing Co-ordinator (Continental); Katie Johnson – Brand and Product Marketing Specialist (Bandvulc); Sinead Jones – National Fleet Key Account Manager (Continental); Peter Pritchard – Production Manager (Bandvulc Mixing); Dan Simpson – SHEQ Auditor (Bandvulc)

Bank of England Agency for the South West Monetary Policy Report Briefing May 2021 – Open to all PMG members

South West Webinar – Wednesday, 12th May. Online presentation by Malindi Myers (Agent) and Jamie Barber (Deputy Agent). The event will start at 10am and finish by 11am.

The webinar will be held on MS Teams and joining links will be sent to registrants a couple of days ahead of the event.

Register – https://app.keysurvey.co.uk/f/41564138/2f79/

Bank of England Financial Stability Report

Bank of England latest Monetary Report

The Bank of England published its latest Monetary Policy Report in February 2022

The February 2022 Monetary Policy Report can be found in full at https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-report/2022/february-2022

For a pdf version of the Report please use this link https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/monetary-policy-report/2022/february/monetary-policy-report-february-2022.pdf

The Summary and Minutes of the latest MPC meeting are at https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-summary-and-minutes/2022/february-2022<https://crm-lw-web01/_static/%20https:/www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-summary-and-minutes/2022/february-2022%0d>

A pdf link to the Agents’ Box in the Monetary Policy Report can be found here https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/monetary-policy-report/2022/february/monetary-policy-report-february-2022.pdf#page=39

This is one of a range of publications from the Bank of England to keep people informed about our work.  You can subscribe to other publications here<https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/subscribe-to-emails>

Bank of England publishes its latest Monetary Policy Report

The Bank has published its latest Monetary Policy Report on the 5th May 2022

The May 2022 Monetary Policy Report can be found in full at https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-report/2022/may-2022

For a pdf version of the Report please use this link https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/monetary-policy-report/2022/may/monetary-policy-report-may-2022.pdf

The Summary and Minutes of the latest MPC meeting are at https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-summary-and-minutes/2022/may-2022

A pdf link to the Agents’ Box in the Monetary Policy Report can be found here https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/monetary-policy-report/2022/may/monetary-policy-report-may-2022.pdf#page=78

This is one of a range of publications from the Bank of England to keep people informed about our work.  You can subscribe to other publications here<https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/subscribe-to-emails>

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Barclays Bank Report into Exporting “Made in Britain” 2021

Become more Mental Health Informed

The Coronavirus pandemic has taken a significant toll on businesses as they face unprecedented levels of challenge and uncertainty, particularly in terms of employee mental health. At Psychology Associates, our passionate and expert team of Psychologists and Therapists are dedicated to helping businesses address and overcome these challenges.

We aim to help businesses become more mental health informed in order to improve wellbeing in the workplace and to get the most out of teams though services such as bespoke training packages, consultation, improving interpersonal skills, psychologically informed recruitment and supervision sessions.

Further information about our services can be found in our Services to Business Leaflet and on our website.

Please note that we offer free consultations with our Clinical Director to ascertain the individual needs of your business.

To arrange this, please contact us on 0300 303 5233 or email enquiry@psychologyassociates.org.uk.

Beyond Ambition: Advanced Manufacturing – a report from Make UK

27/02/2024

‘Advanced manufacturing’ is becoming an integral tool in the increasingly competitive global race for productivity growth, i.e. the ability to produce more with less, but coming with it are often stereotypes that the term just refers to cutting-edge products with futuristic functionalities made only by major multinationals or multi-billion poundstart-ups.

While new products will always be important for company sales, this focus risks overlooking the true revolution taking place within the UK manufacturing sector, and the development and adoption of numerous new manufacturing processes, from cloud software, Generative AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to robots, cobots and 3D printing.

Make UK’s latest report – Beyond Ambition: Advanced Manufacturing – busts these stereotypes as it delves into those key technologies and strategies driving advances in UK manufacturing, exploring how they can empower firms of all sizes to become ‘advanced manufacturers.’ 

By focusing not just on what they make, but how they make it, firms can achieve dramatic productivity gains, boost environmental sustainability, and increase their balance-sheet profitability – to not only survive but thrive in the face of a rapidly evolving global market. You can read the full report from Make UK here: Beyond Ambition – Advanced Manufacturing

This is just one of many useful and insightful articles and reports from our friends at Make UK – to see more check them out here.

Brexit Effects “More Negative Than Expected” KPMG/BCCG Survey: Companies Draw Conclusions

Around 100 days after Brexit, most companies are experiencing Brexit effects that are more negative than they expected at the beginning of the year.

This is evident from a recent survey conducted by KPMG and the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany (BCCG) among 93 member firms of the BCCG. 80 percent of these companies are based in Germany, the rest in the UK.

As a result, companies are drawing the first conclusions.

For example, one in six of the companies surveyed has decided to cease exports to the UK altogether. To avoid additional import and export burdens, companies have also decided to look for suppliers from other countries and another 13% percent are replacing imports with goods/services from local suppliers. Only around 30% of those surveyed still intend to look for new sales markets and product opportunities within the German-British corridor.

Full story – here

This follows earlier stories: –

UK exports to EU rebound partially after January’s slump – here

Brexit’s toll on Scotland’s exporters highlighted in Fraser of Allander-Addleshaw Goddard survey – here

Burts reduces fleet size and makes efficiency gains with Toyota forklifts

(This article appeared in Materials Handling World)

Toyota Material Handling UK has helped the award-winning premium snack producer, Burts Snacks, to reduce intralogistics costs and achieve significant handling efficiency gains across its business.

During a review of the company’s materials handling operation, Toyota identified that by replacing counterbalance machines with multi-functional reach trucks capable of operating outside a building, Burts Snacks could not only reduce the number of forklifts within its fleet – with a resultant drop in maintenance expenditure – but also boost productivity and improve on-site safety.

Burts Snacks manufactures its growing range of own-brand, licensed and private label snacks from sites in Plymouth and Leicester. At both facilities Toyota recommended switching counterbalance trucks for Toyota Reflex outdoor reach trucks.

The Toyota Reflex outdoor reach truck has greater ground clearance than traditional models, which along with rubber wheels with tread and a revised gearbox configuration, allows it to work in yards, block-stacking, servicing outdoor racking and loading and unloading vehicles from the side.

It can also perform inside a building and at Burts Snacks’ Plymouth site, the trucks are fitted with Kooi extra long forks with fork cameras to allow pallet loads to be put away within the storage unit’s double deep racking scheme.

In addition Toyota provided a mix of electric counterbalance models, powered pallet trucks and order pickers.

The equipment at both sites has been supplied on a long-term rental contract that includes service and maintenance.

Burts Snacks’ warehouse manager, Daniel Cresswell, originally approached Toyota to supply new, ultra energy efficient trucks to replace a number of existing electric-powered counterbalance models that had been under utilised for some time and were nearing the end of their fixed contract period.

“After seeing the Toyota proposition for our fleet, it was a simple decision for us,” Daniel Cresswell says.

All of Burts Snacks’ new machines feature Toyota’s I_Site integrated telematics package as standard. The I_Site system allows truck operating hours to be closely monitored along with battery utilisation across the fleet. This feature has been particularly beneficial at the Plymouth site where the trucks are powered by a combination of Nexus fast charge, lithium-ion and lead acid batteries.

“The I_Site system monitors the forklift’s battery and highlights if the power source is being managed incorrectly. For example, if a lead acid battery is opportunity charged, this can cause significant implications to the battery. The I_Site technology can identify this before any harm is done,” says Mr Cresswell.

I_Site also provides valuable data on the efficiency and safety of Burts Snacks’ lift truck operators, as Daniel Cresswell explains: “Because each operator requires his or her own PIN code or smart access card to operate a truck, they quickly realise that they are accountable for their actions during the course of a shift. We find that this accountability prompts forklift drivers to take more care when going about their daily routine, which of course, in turn, results in a safer environment and reduced product, truck or building infrastructure damage.”

www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk

https://mhwmagazine.co.uk/snack-producer-burts-snacks-reduces-fleet-size-and-makes-efficiency-gains-with-toyota-forklifts.html

Burts Snacks ‘committed’ to UK sites after Europe Snacks deal

Burts Snacks has been acquired by France-based producer Europe Snacks which will allow the business to unlock growth in the snacking market.

Burts will also continue to operate from its two manufacturing facilities in Plymouth and Leicester, led by managing director, Dave McNulty.

More details are reported here

Burts Snacks celebrates selling 5.8million RNLI charity packs in 2021

Burts Snacks, one of the UK’s leading premium snacking companies, is celebrating selling 5.8million Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) charity crisp packs in 2021. In order to support the charity, the brand announced a two-year partnership with the RNLI in June 2021, when the charity’s branding was introduced on Burts Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar 150g and 40g crisp packs.

The packs were rolled out in 100 stores across the South West including ASDA, Morrisons, Tesco, Co-op and RNLI shops with the charity’s key FLOAT TO LIVE messaging. Over July and August, the partnership was supported by a £1million summer marketing campaign which helped boost sales of the crisps.

Dave McNulty MD of Burts Snacks, said: “We are excited to launch the second phase of the partnership later this year, with the launch of a brand new crisp flavour and pack developed by Burts and the RNLI together. By supporting the RNLI, Burts hope to play a role in supporting local communities and ensuring people enjoy coast lines safely”.

Alice Dewsnap, senior partnerships manager at the RNLI, added: “As a charity, the financial support is also incredibly important to us and will help us to save many more lives. We are very much looking forward to a long-standing relationship with Burts Snacks and everything 2022 has in store.”

Currently one of the UK’s fastest growing snack brands, Burts has grown 300% in the last five years. As a British family-owned brand, the company is incredibly proud of its heritage and success in the coastal South West region of England, which made the partnership with the RNLI – a charity synonymous with the great outdoors – a perfect fit.

Burts Snacks creates 20 Plymouth jobs to capitalise on surging growth

Business Live reported that Burts had seen ‘rapid expansion’ despite the coronavirus pandemic and now seeks to capitalise on “surging growth”.

The firm is looking to recruit more planners, warehouse and production staff at its factory on the outskirts of Plymouth, as it prepares for a rebrand and new product launch.

Read the full Business Live article about PMG member Burts Snacks here

Business Bulletin – Brexit: New rules are here

Issue 79: 19 April 2021

This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for businesses. Includes:

o              Apply for a grant to help small and medium-sized businesses new to importing or exporting

o              New Guidance

o              Updated Guidance

o              Webinars

Download the bulletin – here

Business Revival Post Co-vid 19

This fully-funded, four week on-line course is aimed at businesses looking to adapt and thrive in the new normal.

Covid-19 has changed the world as we know it and as a result has had a significant change on consumer behaviour. This course explores the consumer trends that are emerging as the world starts to return to a ‘new normal’. The course looks at how you create commercial opportunities in this changing world.

Each course will cover the following key elements:

• Predicting the changes in consumer trends due to COVID-19
• Looking for new market opportunities
• Understanding your consumer
• Being adaptable
• Managing employees through times of change
• Motivating teams through times of change
• Understanding the importance of having personal resilience to help deal with the changing environment

Covid-19 has changed the world as we know it and as a result has had a significant change on consumer behaviour. This 4 week course explores the consumer trends that are emerging as the world starts to return to a ‘new normal’. The course looks at how you create commercial opportunities in this changing world.

Tuesday June 1st (1pm – 3 pm)

Thursday June 3rd (1pm – 3 pm)

Thursday June 10th (1pm – 3 pm)

Tuesday June 15th (1pm – 3 pm)

Thursday June 17th (1pm – 3 pm)

Tuesday June 22nd (1pm – 3 pm)

Thursday June 24th (1pm – 3 pm)

Tuesday June 29th (1pm – 3 pm)

To book a registration of interest, please book through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/152844013559

Can a Virtual Internship help your manufacturing business?

The PMG iMayflower Virtual Internship Scheme will see current students and recent graduates from across the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business working on short term projects on behalf of a PMG member business.

Interns working on projects will be paid by the University of Plymouth, at a standard rate of £13/hour, up to a maximum of 38 hours per project (£494), which will be funded and supported by iMayflower.

How does this work in practice?

Bridgewater based Dan’s Engineering Ltd recently collaborated with a 3D Design undergraduate who undertook a small scale research project evaluating the viability of replacing traditional measurement methods with 3D laser scanning.  The resulting report supported the team in their assessment of the potential for technology, providing information on everything from the hardware and software required; processing power and file sizes; skills and training; and costs.

 About the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business

“I believe the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business is quite unique in the kind of experiences, skills and knowledge it can offer. Our students design and build the spaces we live, work and play in. They are the business graduates who drive forward and support our economic health and sustainability. They learn to change the world through social action. They become the teachers who shape our journeys through primary and secondary school. They are the lawyers, sociologists and criminologists who hold our justice system to account. They are the historians, literary scholars, artists, performers, musicians and writers who engage with, interpret and create our cultural heritage.”

Professor Chris Bennewith, Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business

The Faculty brings together a diverse community to build a culture of ingenuity, diversity and distinctiveness, a culture that has far reaching benefits that go beyond the faculty, beyond the University and reach out into the community, industry and economy at large.  Read more about our Schools here:

• School of Art, Design and Architecture
• Plymouth Institute of Education
• Plymouth Business School
• School of Society & Culture

The application process

Businesses and organisations wishing to access support through this scheme are required to provide a brief project proposal for the internship, providing an overview of the research project, details of the anticipated time commitment and the type of skills they are looking for from the student.

Applications are being accepted now, and a maximum of 10 individual projects can be supported for PMG member businesses.  Funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis and will be withdrawn when the maximum allocation has been reached.  All projects must now be completed by 30^th June 2022.

Internships will be awarded to businesses and organisations who have identified a project that is suitable for a student or graduate to deliver over 38 hours and which would contribute to business development and growth during the COVID-19 era and beyond.

The chosen projects will be promoted through our online careers platform, and directly to 2^nd & 3^rd year undergraduates, Masters students and 2020 / 2021 graduates through colleagues within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Business.

All applications will be shared with the business (the Sponsor) who will be supported through the selection and management of their intern.

We’re pleased to say that many of our previous clients have continued to work with their intern in a freelance capacity.  Any company that continues to work with their intern beyond the initial 38 hours will be responsible for paying agreed costs for student time, materials and other costs directly associated with the project, above and beyond their allocated funding of £494.

To submit a project under the PMG iMayflower Virtual Internship Scheme, please complete the short form in the info doc linked below (Appendix B) and return to plymcreative@plymouth.ac.uk, copying in sarah.holcombe@plymouth.ac.uk

PMG Virtual Internship Scheme November 2021 UPDATE[90]

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact:

Sarah Holcombe, Knowledge Exchange Specialist – iMayflower

E: sarah.holcombe@plymouth.ac.uk

Can you help with a major international study to shape future of asthma treatment ?

Researchers from the University of Plymouth are part of a major international study to assess the benefits of new medications for asthma.

Led by Plymouth Marjon University, the study is looking for people with asthma to complete an anonymous online survey (participants must be 18 years or older and regularly be prescribed preventer inhalers for asthma)

To complete the survey click here

The survey answers will inform the creation of a new asthma questionnaire, the Generic Asthma Questionnaire, for patients with mild to moderate asthma, to get a full picture of how the condition impacts their quality of life. It follows on from the Severe Asthma Questionnaire (SAQ), an existing research programme led by the University of Plymouth for patients with severe asthma, which is now being used in international studies.

Why is the new study taking place?

Biologics are new medications for asthma that interrupt the inflammatory pathways in the condition. They can only be provided by a specialist and are given by injection every month or two. So far, biologics have been used to treat severe asthma but now attention is turning to how they might help in patients with mild to moderate asthma. Potentially, if biologics were more widely available, then many people could benefit from improved asthma control, with less reliance on the use of steroid treatments (which are effective but with many side effects).

The new questionnaire, when developed, will be used in large international clinical trials of new biologic treatments for asthma. Fourteen European universities are collaborating on this stage of the project, alongside University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust the University of Exeter.

Study lead, Rupert Jones, Honorary Professor at Plymouth Marjon University and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth, said: “Most of us know someone with asthma and, while lots of cases are relatively well managed, the condition can have varying impacts on people’s quality of life. Trials of biologics show big improvements in asthma attacks, lung function and reduction of hospital admissions. They are very well tolerated and seem to be very safe. Other studies, however, have reported a mixed or negative picture of the quality of life associated with these medications – so it’s important that we shape and develop the right questionnaire, asking the right questions, to properly assess how effective they are for people with mild to moderate asthma.”

“The Severe Asthma Questionnaire is on the way to doing this for those with severe asthma, and we’re looking forward to developing the Generic Asthma Questionnaire to go alongside it.”

For further information on this research please contact:

• Hazel Dickinson – hdickinson@marjon.ac.uk
• Rupert Jones – Rupert_jones@outlook.com or 07974 975389

Carbon emissions – manufacturing and music…

This article was written by Ross Primmer from Action Sustainability. 

Carbon is an ever increasingly important consideration for companies across the manufacturing sector in the UK. It is interesting how innovation and societal change affects how we consume the goods and services we need. We can look at the music industry as an interesting example – but consider how the principles discussed below can be applied to any business in the manufacturing sector!

A recent article in the New Statesman which compared the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions emitted during the manufacture of the three most common formats for consuming music; streaming, CD, and vinyl. You can see the results from their study in the graph below.

The manufacture of a vinyl record is roughly the same as 3.3 CDs, or streaming for 19 hours, or driving 5km in a petrol car, who knew?! It is perhaps easier to understand and visualise the carbon emissions associated with a physical product versus the huge power-hungry data centres which streaming services rely on.

However, streaming has also been accompanied with a huge increase in the consumption of music worldwide – there are an estimated 487 million people subscribed to a streaming platform. This means that despite streaming being by far the most efficient “per unit” way to listen to music, the overall footprint of music is increasing. It is estimated that in the USA carbon emissions of recorded music formats increased by 45% in the period 1977-2016 and 94% of this increase is in digital formats.

There are clearly limitations to this study. Is renewable energy being used? What if you buy your records and CDs second hand? What is the CO_2e  footprint of the equipment you are using? How power hungry is the amplifier you play your music through etc,?

This is known as the Jevons paradox, which occurs when technological progress increases efficiency but also increases overall consumption.  In short, as things become cheaper more people consume the resource and, consumption increases globally, in some cases massively. For example, in 1985 Do They Know It’s Christmasachieved 3.8 million sales in the UK and was number 1. The current UK number 1 streaming record is Easy on Me by Adele who achieved 24 million (UK only) streams on week ending 28/10/21.

However, the purpose of this article is not to stop you listening to music. Far from it. As I write this article, I am enjoying the benefits of a well-known streaming platform! I think it is fair to say that the  cultural, societal and even the economic benefits (just ask Lennon & McCartney) of music listening outweigh the negative impact from the carbon it generates.

In the big scheme of things, there are far bigger issues to tackle when it comes to the climate crisis. And as renewable energy plays an increasing role in energy generation globally, the carbon footprint of streaming is likely to improve too.

The publication of the New Statesmen article shows that we can get locked into the “carbon tunnel” which fixates on carbon, to the detriment of other sustainability considerations which must be factored in to form a balanced picture.

For example, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic many music venues and artists face significant financial challenges. Losing them would be a huge cultural loss to society. The World Wildlife Fund also highlighted the instrument manufacturers Fender as scoring zero trees in their 2019 Timber Scorecard Report – meaning they have failed to communicate meaningful information about the sustainable sourcing of the timber they use.

As such, the carbon emissions associated with music consumption is perhaps a metaphor for the often glossed over and uncomfortable fact that we need to consider both efficiency savings and overall consumption to develop truly sustainable solutions.

My advice would be stream away, buy the odd CD or vinyl for your favourites, go to a few gigs, and, if you’re considering buying that Fender you always wanted, maybe get a second hand one!

About Action Sustainability

Action Sustainability are an organisation which provide bespoke sustainability consultancy solutions. Services include strategy development, workforce training and development, measurement and reporting and supply chain management, meeting the needs of clients from a wide range of sectors including automotive, rail, construction, hospitality, utilities and the public sector. The team also run and manage the Supply Chain Sustainability School.

If you would like to have a conversation about how to make your business more sustainable please contact ross@actionsustainability.com.    

Catch up on the latest South West Skills news!

Read the latest University of Exeter South West Skills newsletter here!

Chancellor marks Help to Grow scheme launch with teach-in alongside business owners

The Chancellor has called on small and medium business leaders to sign up to a new programme designed to hone their expertise as he attended one of the first courses in the UK today (August 2).

Rishi Sunak joined a class taking part in the government-funded management scheme at Aston Business School alongside small business owners to see first-hand how it is giving them the tools they need to innovate, grow and help drive the recovery from Covid.

The Chancellor delivered a talk to participants at the business school in Birmingham on the critical role small businesses can play in boosting UK productivity. He then took part in a group activity and led a discussion about their own business models and opportunities for growth.

The scheme, which was announced by the Chancellor at the March Budget and opened for applications in May, will give 30,000 SMEs access to world-class business expertise on everything from financial management to marketing, and is a pivotal part of the government’s Plan for Jobs.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said: Small businesses are key to our innovation and economy and will therefore be an essential part to our recovery from the pandemic, which is why we are levelling up their skills through the Help to Grow schemes.

I want to bring some of the best bits of management training from around the world to help boost productivity here in the UK.

Help to Grow: Management will ensure our brilliant SMEs seize every opportunity to grow, fuelling our Plan for Jobs by boosting productivity in all corners of the UK.

Five universities have already started to offer courses – Aston, Portsmouth, Derby, Nottingham, and Birmingham City. Over August, four universities will follow – Coventry, Kingston, Strathclyde and Nottingham Trent.

The programme is being delivered by business schools across the country and was developed in close partnership with the business community to ensure it is as relevant as possible.

Leading business groups – including CBI, FSB, BCC, IoD and Make UK – have also played a key role in supporting the programme design.

According to the ONS, making small improvements in management practices can lead to a 10% increase in productivity. Analysis from the CBI suggests that boosting the productivity profile UK SMEs to match that of Germany could add up to £100bn to the economy.

Access the complete article – here

Change at the top of Teignbridge Propellers International Ltd.

As part of a planned succession strategy, the New Year saw a change at the top of Teignbridge Propellers International Ltd.

Mark Phare has moved to the position of Group Managing Director, succeeding David Hunt.
Hunt remains a Director and shareholder of the company along with David Duncan the Chairman. Phare who has been with Teignbridge for 19 years previously held the positions of Operations Director and Group Sales & Marketing Director.
“Mark is an experienced executive with a strong track record of leadership and an extensive knowledge of the marine industry and the sectors in which we operate,” said David Hunt.
He went on to say, “The Teignbridge board has done an excellent job steering the company through the past two years of the pandemic. We have developed a strong cash position which has underpinned the rollout of the company’s strategic initiatives. I have every confidence that Mark and the board will continue this work”
Mark Phare commented “David has implemented a number of positive and successful changes in recent years that have made Teignbridge a stronger brand in the global propulsion market.  We invested $1.0m USD last year in new CNC lathes to enhance our capabilities and just before Christmas we moved into our newly built $1.5m USD offices.

I look forward to developing the established strategy with my fellow directors and continuing with the purchasing of new machinery to further enhance our capabilities.  We will be turning the previous office space in the main factory building into additional manufacturing space which will include a designated area for training our team of apprentice engineers.  A further new building is already underway at our Newton Abbot headquarters as we continue to invest in the future.  The outlook for Teignbridge is extremely positive.  We have a unique arsenal of highly qualified, experienced and skilled people supported by pioneering software, modern technically advanced machinery and our own test boat.  Our focus is on innovative product development, designing and manufacturing highly efficient propulsion systems and customer service excellence.”

Mark Phare :

Mark began his career as a Deck Officer in the merchant navy, studying at Plymouth University up to Master Mariner and serving for 11 years on a wide range of merchant vessels across the globe.

He then joined Caleb Brett (Intertek) as a Marine Surveyor and then Operations Manager before moving to Teignbridge in 2003.

He has held several senior management roles within the Company including Operations Director and Sales & Marketing Director.

Mark is an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI).

Mark is now responsible for all the Teignbridge Group Companies including the UK Headquarters in Newton Abbot, the Foundry and Factory in India, the Sales Office, Workshop and Warehouse in Dubai and the Sales Office in Penang.

(Photos below of Mark with and without David)

Ciject Success at Composite Integration

Q1 2023 sees Composite Integration successfully launch the next generation Ciject® Two with equipment already commissioned in both Germany and Turkey, and more machines due to go out in the coming weeks.

The Ciject range has long been the cornerstone of RTM and Infusion processes. A major contribution to the product’s long-term success is the team’s passion and enthusiasm to create innovative market leading equipment. Congratulations are deserved for all the Ciject Two project team at Composite Integration from product development through to test and equipment build, collaborating to deliver a successful launch.

As well as multiple mechanical upgrades, Senior Automation Engineer Oliver Powlesland has taken the Ciject Two operating software to unrivalled levels and pushed the boundaries of innovation and flexibility. Whilst ease of operator use remains a core principle, new features further develop the capability of the Ciject Two and create a comprehensive yet flexible control system for liquid resin processing.

Composite Integration’s Design Engineering Director, Stephen Ward comments, “Setting out to redevelop the Ciject Two, Oliver and the team have excelled, particularly in software development. These new improvements pave the way for the future advancement of the Ciject range, providing further benefits to the end user. The team should all be proud”.

Already recognized for its proven technology across a variety of sectors, this latest addition to the Ciject family is targeted specifically towards manufacturers who require precision control and process information, with the flexibility to be used for RTM, LRTM and Infusion processes all within one machine.

Congratulations to the Composite Integration Team!

Circular Economy “Mini-Masterclass” Workshop for SMEs by Exeter Centre for Circular Economy

City College Plymouth – Employer Connections Conference – Marine, Defence, Engineering & Digital Technologies

Thursday 23 September 2021, 8.00am – 10.30am

It has been six months since we got together over Zoom to consider the future of the engineering industry in the wake of COVID and Brexit, whilst also facing the problems caused by a skills shortage. The talks and presentations were informative and really stirred a lot of interest, but the virtual format denied the opportunity to properly discuss the matters on the table: and a conference is never quite the same without hearty discussion and debate. With indoor hospitality now allowed, we want to invite you to enjoy another full programme of talks from industry leaders, but with the added bonus of being able to discuss your thoughts and opinions with like-minded industry colleagues who share the hopes and concerns for the future of this vital sector.

See the full programme – including speakers from the PMG – here

City College Plymouth appoints new director to oversee Apprenticeships

By Pauline Hands, Executive for Commercial Operations at City College Plymouth

As part of an ongoing review of employer engagement, we at City College Plymouth have made valuable changes to the management of our Apprenticeship provision to ensure external stakeholders have every opportunity to have a say on training needs.

With this in mind, I’m delighted to be able to tell you about a new role that was created to ensure a constant link between you – the employers – and the College as part of our promise to provide training of the highest possible quality that meets the needs and expectations of the city.

Our new Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Solutions, Jamie Rowley, joined the College in September 2021 as Head of Academy for Construction and the Built Environment and brought with him a rich combination of teaching experience and industry knowledge. As a former plumber and heating engineer, Jamie still enjoys numerous links to industry but also has a deep understanding of the further education sector and a dedication to meeting the needs of employers.

Jamie said: “City College appreciates how valuable Apprenticeships are to both employers and those looking to enter industry via this route. Being Devon born and bred, I want to see the area prosper and grow and it’s only through well-informed and employer-led training that we can achieve this.

“I would like to emphasise that City College isn’t just about Apprenticeships. We can offer employers a lot more: we can offer bespoke training that will match their precise needs. We are the city’s anchor institution for skills but we cannot support you and your business goals without your input. Talk to us – tell us your vision for both your industry and the city and together we can achieve this.”

We are inviting anyone who might have questions about staff training, Apprenticeships or the needs of businesses in the city to get in touch with Jamie. You can contact him by e-mailing jrowley@cityplym.ac.uk.

City College Plymouth joins national call to end FE funding squeeze and enable colleges to deliver the skills needed for economic growth

‘Adequate funding for colleges is essential for bridging the skills gap but more needs to be done long-term’

The UK economy is likely to miss out on vital growth without a national strategy to address the growing skills gap, says one of the city’s key voices on education.

City College Plymouth’s Chief Executive is calling on the government to end its disjointed approach to skills and training, as further education leaders across the UK lobby the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to reverse 12 years of cuts to the FE sector ahead of the spring budget.

Jackie Grubb says the UK is facing a myriad of challenges, from rising levels of regional and social inequalities, to a major skills shortage that is already being felt by almost three-quarter of businesses according to a joint report from the Open University and British Chambers of Commerce.

Jackie explained: “Today, further education leaders are calling for proper investment for our vital industries by ensuring further education colleges – which are the very lifeblood of these industries – are properly funded.

“Further education colleges teach the skills that our essential carers need to look after the most vulnerable members of society. Further education colleges teach the skills that our engineers need to develop the technologies that will help the UK meet its net-zero pledges. Further education colleges teach the bricklayers, the carpenters, the plumbers and the other construction professionals the skills required to build the thousands of houses every year that our country desperately needs.”

Further education leaders are responding to a call by the Association of Colleges (AoC), which is looking to address the strangling cuts experienced by further education providers across the UK. The College will be supporting the AoC’s Mind the Skills Gap campaign by hosting a series of events and sharing a number of case studies to highlight how crucial further education colleges are supporting the people and businesses here in Plymouth and the wider region, and the urgent need to address funding.

But Jackie added that the conversation needs to go further than just funding, calling on a national strategy for skills that includes a statutory right to lifelong learning.

Jackie said: “Adult education rates have dropped at a time when more and more jobs require level 3 (A Level) equivalent qualifications. Only 60% of young people reach this level by the age of 19, and this is being felt by our employers. A statutory right to lifelong learning would make access to funding and grants more straightforward for adults wishing to return to education, addressing this shortage.”

A fairer funding formula is also required, according to the College chief, who said: “The post-18 education system is unsustainable. We have students leaving higher education institutions with huge levels of debt whilst our further education colleges are feeling the impact of over a decade of underfunding.”

Jackie continued: “In the short term we need to address funding to support our staff and to address the growing workforce crisis that our colleges are facing. Long-term, a complete overhaul of the system is needed in order to support both younger and adult students who in turn will be working at the very heart of our vital industries.”

Just last month the College shared details about its new partnership with one of the city’s biggest employers, Princess Yachts, which is recruiting new outfitters to help meet its business growth across the globe. Another highlight for the College is a joint project with Exeter College to support post-16 teachers of maths and English with access to free CPD.

Other campaign activities include hosting a live podcast on Monday 13 March with the support of Devon and Plymouth Chamber, and the College will be collecting responses to a questionnaire that will aid a bigger piece of work to address the city’s skills priorities.

To learn more about these activities or to see ways in which the College is supporting skills in the city, visit cityplym.ac.uk.

Climate Action: The Time is Now – Low Carbon Devon Inspire Event – 22nd April 2021 at 4.30pm

Declarations of Climate Emergencies, the Race to Net Zero, Reducing Carbon Footprints – these are now daily headlines, but what does this mean for you and your enterprise here in Devon?

The first in a series of Low Carbon Devon expert panel led discussions aiming to inspire action, this event will address the worldwide context of Climate Emergency, what this means for Devon and how you can take action today.

Featuring;

• Andy Middleton, Chief Exploration Officer, TYF Adventure; Partner, NOW Partners, helping organisations correlate their ambition, goals and actions to the speed and scale of response that’s needed for large scale sustainability change.
• Phil Hawthorne, Head of Design at Red Paddle Co and advocate for creative and responsible design which embodies Circular Economy processes.
• Natalie Whitehead and Alice Mills, co-founders of the Exeter Science Centre, a visionary project creating a public space where science is accessible to everyone.

Be inspired this Earth Day, 22nd April, and find out why the time for climate action is now and how you and your enterprise can be a part of it.

Visit the Low Carbon Devon website to find out about our future events, including practical action workshops helping you to calculate your carbon footprint and starting enterprises on the journey to becoming a registered B-Corp.

Climate Change Agreement Update – New Application Window

The UK Government has reopened the Climate Change Agreement scheme to new entrants allowing those eligible to save up to 92% on electricity Climate Change Levy (CCL) and 86% on gas.
The deadline for new applications is 31st March 2022 – but be aware that some trade associations may require your submissions up to 4 weeks before this date.
An eligible applicant with annual consumption of 3GWh for electricity and 2.5GWh for gas will save over £100,000 between April 2022 and March 2025.

MAXIMISE BENEFIT, MINIMISE RISK

Many businesses are being squeezed by a drop off in orders, increased cost of production and soaring energy costs. Plus, they don’t have the time or the resources to dedicate to achieving CCA compliance.
However, it is estimated that the CCA scheme could save businesses around £300m a year – so if your business is eligible for the scheme, it pays to participate.
So, don’t let the admin involved in achieving CCA compliance prevent your business from gaining a substantial discount on the CCL – Inspired Energy’s Levy Exemption service is here to take the burden off your in-house team.

There are only a few months left to apply for up to 92% saving of your CCL charges. Register your interest for a no obligation consultation to validate your eligibility.

How can our experts help?

Our Levy Exemption service has been designed to take the hassle out of the CCA application and compliance process. Our expert team can support you with a fully-managed solution, including:

Eligibility assessment

We can determine whether your organisation is eligible for a CCA and submit an application on your behalf.

Admin handling

We’ll take over all of the admin involved in applying for and/or achieving ongoing CCA compliance.

Performance monitoring

We’ll provide you with regular performance reports, so you can address any issues with your performance quickly to make sure that you meet your targets for the period.

Expert guidance

Our compliance experts have been supporting businesses with CCA compliance since the scheme was introduced in 2001, so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.

Chaz Lawrence

Director Business Development   South West

Inspired PLC

Direct Dial: 01752 858760

Mobile: 07923 250602

Email: Chaz.Lawrence@inspiredenergy.co.uk

College’s new vision and purpose hailed inspiration after special launch event

City College Plymouth launched its new vision and purpose at an innovative event on Thursday, with guests hailing the College’s plans as bold, ambitious and inspirational.

Staff and governors were joined by councillors, local business leaders and other well-known names in Plymouth as each of the College’s strategic actions were presented in a series of informative videos.

Jackie Grubb, City College Chief Executive & Principal, said: “It was a privilege to officially launch the new visionary direction for our college. Our organisation is very clear on the vital role we play in our city and the positive impact we have on the lives of our community.

“For the past 18 months there has been a cross-College effort involving students, staff, governors, employer partners and other stakeholders in developing our strategic plan in line with the city and employer needs. This includes investing in exciting, cutting-edge facilities that are aligned to industry requirements and will make certain our students are receiving the very best and most up-to-date training.”

In addition to the videos setting out the College’s intentions for areas such as staff development, finance and its estates, guests also heard from the Leader of Plymouth City Council, Nick Kelly, whose speech pointed out how closely aligned the College’s vision is to the Council’s.

Chair of Governors, Richard Stevens, said: “Those who call Plymouth their home are fiercely proud of their city, and rightly so. We all want to see it develop and thrive, and through this new vision and purpose, the College has clearly stated the role it intends to play in achieving this, which involves working closely with the city’s employers to ensure it is equipping their workers with the skills they need.”

Since the event, the College has been inundated with messages and social media comments about the strength of its new Vision and Purpose and expressing their thanks for being invited to the launch. In a tweet, Sharron Robbie, Managing Director of the Devon & Cornwall Training Provider Network, said: “Fantastic event! Good to hear how the College of the city is gearing up to meet the skills needs of Plymouth, whilst fostering robust partnerships with key stakeholders to enable economic growth and success.”

Both the College’s Vision and Purpose and Strategic Intent for 2021 to 2031 are available to read in full at www.cityplym.ac.uk/about/strategic-intent

Colleges awarded grant to improve region’s maths and English skills

Collins Aerospace wins the fourth Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Collins Aerospace’s inertial systems business in Plymouth, UK, has won a 2021 Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the highest official UK honour for British businesses. The award, in the category of international trade, recognizes outstanding export sales year on year. Collins Aerospace is a Raytheon Technologies business.
“This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding achievement of our teams in Plymouth to provide support to our customers in a very competitive global market,” said Kevin Pindard, Managing Director Collins Aerospace Inertial Systems in the UK. “Over the last 3 years, working with UK government agencies, overseas earnings grew by more than 75 % thanks to new export opportunities, secured export licenses and introductions to new customers. On the same period, we invested in highly skilled engineers doubling our headcounts, and major investments in our operations have enabled volumes to increase 400%. Complemented by advancement of our digital infrastructure and Lean credentials removing waste, reducing lead times and maximizing efficiency all help make us the supplier of choice for many customers.”
Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise recognize outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of international trade, innovation and sustainable development. The awards are made annually by Her Majesty The Queen, are judged to a demanding level, and are only given for the highest levels of excellence demonstrated in each category.
In 2013, Collins Aerospace won the Queen’s Award for Innovation, and this new award for International Trade makes it the 4th recognition for the Company.

Collins Aerospace in Plymouth designs, develops and produces miniature high performance solid state inertial systems that provide stabilization, guidance, navigation and control for an array of systems from land vehicles to satellites. The company is a market leader in micro- electric-mechanical systems (MEMS) based inertial systems, and it supports products in service with 23 military forces worldwide.

Original story – here

Community Request for Raffle prizes, Royal British Legion, Plympton

The PMG Office has been contacted by the Plympton Club of the Royal British Legion.

They have an open day coming up on the 16th July 2022 to raise funds for the club and are seeking donations of raffle prizes.

If you can help, please email: plympton.web@rbl.community

You can also follow their facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/RBLPlympton/

Composite Integration appoints Dr Tim Searle as new Research and Development Director

Composite Integration has carried out both collaborative and internal Research and Development activities since its beginnings in 2002. These activities have continued to develop and grow. Dr Tim Searle CEng MIMechE has supported our internal team for several years on a consultancy basis, and we are delighted to announce that he has joined the company full time in a new position of Research and Development Director.

Tim has a long and successful background in Composites, having started as a Marine Engineering Student at the University of Plymouth, followed by his PhD in Composites before a period lecturing and consulting as the Commercial Manager with the Advanced Composites Manufacturing Centre (ACMC) at Plymouth. Tim set up a private composites consultancy company, Composite Innovations Ltd in 2005 and carried out a very wide range of commercial research projects over the past 16 years.

More recently, the Research and Development work of both Composite Integration and Composite Innovations Ltd has been highly complementary and we look forward to continuing this work with new and existing customers within Composite Integrations’ Research & Development division.

https://composite-integration.co.uk/news/

Composite Integration Strengthens Leadership Team

Composite Integration, Saltash, UK is pleased to announce further developments in its leadership structure. Kelly Ellis has been promoted to Managing Director from her previous role as Operations Director. Kelly has been with the company for 13 years, working her way up through multiple roles. She has been instrumental in the success of Composite Integration and has shown exceptional determination, ambition and leadership qualities throughout her tenure. In her new position, Kelly will be responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and driving growth and innovation. She will be supported by the appointment of a highly experienced Production & Quality Manager, Matt Owen.

Richard Bland, one of the original founders of Composite Integration and its current Managing Director, will move to take on the role of Technical Director. With 30 years of experience in the industry, Richard will use his expertise to provide support to the business and the team as the company continues to expand. Kelly & Richard are further supported by a highly experienced senior team of Directors covering Engineering Design, R&D and Sales.

Kelly expressed her excitement about the promotion, stating, “It has been an ambition of mine for many  years. With our team’s continued hard work and dedication, I believe that we can achieve even greater success in the future.”

Richard shared his thoughts on his new position, saying, “I am proud of everything that we have accomplished at Composite Integration. Kelly has been a key part of the company’s growth and ambition and I look forward to continuing to work with her and contributing to the company’s development in my new role as Technical Director.”

Investing in research and technology has always been a key factor in Composite Integration’s success. With a focus on innovative equipment, processes and new technologies, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of the composite manufacturing industry. Continued investment in people and resources will enable Composite Integration to further enhance its existing offerings and expand its capabilities. Ultimately, the new structure is expected to drive significant growth for Composite Integration and cement its position as a leader in the composite manufacturing industry.

The CI Team prides itself on its strong culture and commitment to employee growth and development. Composite Integration has created a positive and productive work environment that not only benefits its staff but also results in exceptional outcomes for its clients.

Composite Integration is growing strongly with multiple projects with the Wind Energy, Aerospace and Marine sectors. The team continues to evolve rapidly to meet these new challenges. The company is confident that this leadership change will enable them to continue their excellent work and drive future growth and success!

About Composite Integration

From the outset the company focus has been sharing knowledge to support customers in understanding the process, alongside delivering easy to use, reliable tooling and equipment. This has developed further with providing a wide range of standard equipment and tooling, tailored solutions and carrying out collaborative R&D for a wide range of parts and processes.

Media Contact for Composite Integration

Kelly George

E: Kelly.george@composite-integration.co.uk

T: +44(0)1752 849998

Composite Integration wins Composites UK Industry Awards – Innovation in Composite Manufacture  

Composite Integration has been named the winner of this year’s Composites UK Industry Awards for the ‘Innovation in Composite Manufacture’ category.

The company started in 2002 and has grown to serve a wide range of sectors including marine, wind energy, aerospace and automotive amongst others, with customers in more than 20 countries. It has developed tooling, meter mixing equipment and process technology to provide customers with the ability to manufacture a wide range of components at both high volume and large scale, with the largest components up to 85m in length.

From the outset the company focus has been sharing knowledge to support the customer in understanding the process, alongside delivering easy to use, reliable tooling and equipment. There is a strong R&D focus, with a dedicated team carrying out both internal and collaborative R&D for a wide range of parts and processes.

Composite Integration was nominated for the Innovation in Composite Manufacture award for their recent work within the aerospace sector. The innovation involved Composite Integration pushing the boundaries of traditional composite manufacturing processes, working alongside Hill Helicopters to develop a complex, vacuum tight, multi-part tool and appropriate process techniques to manufacture a carbon fibre prototype helicopter fuselage in a single piece, single shot, liquid resin infused moulding, with no bonded joints.

The team used their extensive experience in closed mould and infusion process technology to design and manufacture tooling and first off components for the high-performance composite fuselage.

Managing Director, Richard Bland commented “Hill Helicopters gave us an incredibly difficult challenge, and thanks to the ambition, skill, passion and hard work of the project team, supported by Innovate UK funding, the work was extremely successful and pushed the boundaries of what was considered possible. It was an honour to be recognised by Composites UK for our commitment to being at the forefront of innovation in composites manufacturing.”

The awards event took place 2^nd November at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, where over 200 people attended to celebrate Composites in Manufacturing.

ContiLifeCycle Ivybridge Champions Continental’s Retreading Innovation

Known across the PMG Membership as Bandvulc, following the relaunch as a ContiLifeCycle facility in March, the company’s retread plant in Ivybridge has assumed the role of a technical innovation hub for Continental’s tyre retreading programme.

The move supports the brand’s ongoing sustainability strategy.

As one of the UK’s most advanced tyre recycling and hot retreading facility, the Ivybridge operation will play a significant role in the development of future ContiLifeCycle products and initiatives. Prior to the rebrand, the site was the main premises for leading Continental-owned retreader, Bandvulc. New Bandvulc products continue to be developed and manufactured alongside ContiRe tyres in Ivybridge.

Tony Mailling, Head of Hot Retread Production EMEA and Plant Manager of ContiLifeCycle Ivybridge and Stöcken, Germany comments: “Continental, Bandvulc and the Ivybridge site has long been held in high regard for the work it has done to push the envelope of retread innovation in the UK and across Europe. Though the name above the door may have changed, there’s no doubt that Ivybridge is continuing to lead the way in retread excellence.

“The key role for Ivybridge celebrates the skill, expertise and effort that the team has invested into transforming the image of retread tyres. Where once there were misguided doubts about the quality of retreads, today the science, technology and engineering know-how involved in the retreading process makes it easily one of the most advanced areas of tyre production.”

As part of their Vision 2030 strategy programme, Continental has committed to an ambitious goal of becoming the most progressive tyre company with regard to ecological and social responsibility by 2030. At the end of the decade, Continental aims to have more than 40% renewable and recycled materials in its tyres, with a drive to achieve 100% renewable and recycled materials by 2050 at the latest. The ContiLifeCycle programme is an important step on the road to fulfilling these core sustainability goals.

To read more about this exciting update from our member – click here.

We look forward to a PMG members tour very soon!

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Businesses and Employers Bulletin – 1 April 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Businesses and Employers Bulletin – 1 April 2021

This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). All coronavirus business support information can be found at gov.uk/business-support

• Workplace testing
• New grant funding and Business rates relief in England
• Workplace Guidance
• New and Updated Guidance
• Job Retention Scheme
• Haulier Advice

The newsletter can be downloaded – here

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Businesses and Employers Bulletin – 25 March 2021

This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). All coronavirus business support information can be found at gov.uk/business-support

It includes details of the Brexit Support Fund – a £20 million Support Fund for SMEs new to importing and exporting.

The bulletin can be downloaded – here

Cosmic Kitchen – Plymouth Climate Challenge

BEST VEGAN SPOT IN THE UK, 3RD IN THE WORLD!

Cosmic Kitchen, which started as a pop-up in Plymouth in 2019, recently received the top accolade of No1 Vegan Spot in the UK and 3rd in the World from TripAdvisor.

After navigating the lockdowns, Cosmic Kitchen founders, identical twins Gabriela and Lucia are committing to a long-term lease of their historic Plymouth building. They need your help to create a low-carbon, sustainable business that can inspire the city and region to reduce its meat consumption, and in turn increase the health and well-being of the residents.

Find out more about Cosmic’s crowdfunder here

Creating a clean, safe and secure environment- thoughts from Carlton Cleaning

‘Places of work’ come in many different shapes and sizes and manufacturers’ are no different to office spaces. So long as you employ people, you have to create a safe and secure environment in which to work and that also means a clean environment.

What employers can never under-estimate is that a clean working space is not only safer and more secure but it’s also simply a nicer place to work. That in turn helps recruitment and overall level of staff well-being and as they say, happy staff are productive staff.

The reason for our success within the industry is due to creating a consistent cleaning team with efficient schedules which allows them to increase productivity as well as focusing on the attention to detail required. And as a family run business, our team has our full support and guidance, both professionally and in their personal lives.

Industrial workspaces are never easy to clean though, often because of equipment, shift patterns and compromised spaces. Here at Carlton Cleaning, we specialize in these sorts of environments and have been cleaning for members of Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group for 20 years.

Having been in the cleaning industry since 1985, our experience is second to none in the Southwest. We understand industrial cleaning, whether that’s a big or small unit space and most importantly we understand just how important it is that we work around you the client.

Don’t forget an external cleaner like us takes on the responsibility of our staff, we take on the liability to the client and the commitment to the job that we undertook. Asking your existing staff to clear up after themselves or even employing your own cleaner is a compromise, inefficient and just not a sensible approach to business.

Whoever you appoint as your contract cleaner, they should be willing to offer you a cast iron guarantee. At Carlton Cleaning our guarantee is simple … if the job’s not done properly, as briefed and as contracted then we’ll redo it for free.

We’re experienced, we know the job inside out and we’re good at what we do.

E: lewis@carltoncleaning.co.uk

T: 01752 204119

M: 07888604996

W: www.carltoncleaning.co.uk

Crown Estate maps out five areas off Cornwall and Wales for floating offshore wind schemes

Business Live reported:

“Floating technology is key to unlocking the full potential of our coastline”

The organisation has identified five broad “areas of search” for developing the innovative technology, which can be deployed in deeper water with higher wind than conventional offshore wind farms, to support efforts to tackle climate change.

The areas are in the Celtic Sea, which the Crown Estate said was rich in natural resources including wind, and have been identified following technical analysis and engagement. They will be refined into small project development areas within which the first generation of commercial-scale floating windfarms could be built, which will be open for competitive tender in mid 2023.
Read the full Business Live report here

CV’s received into the PMG Office

The PMG Office receives CV’s from people who are looking for work in different fields of the manufacturing sector, from Quality Assurance to Engineering Graduates and Marketing and more, do check back regularly for updates.

CV Ben Ireland – Engineering Graduate

Manish Kumar – Supply Chain Manager

Sabrina Cheung CV June 2022 – Marketing Graduate

Szandra Drobina – Quality Assurance

Data Cubed

Data Cubed are an award- winning global data lab based in Bristol, helping businesses with the challenges of data. Every business has the same challenge of multiple data tools and disconnected data, we provide a single source of truth to remove challenges and improve business performance.
Since 2017 we have worked with 50+ clients on 70+ projects helping to provide data clarity for our clients. Our team of data experts are passionate about working with businesses to help them become data driven.
We develop bespoke data strategy plans to allow businesses to overcome their data challenges allowing management teams to make better, quicker and more insightful data-driven decisions.
Clients we’ve worked with have seen ROIs of 5:1 and increased profit by >10%.
The volume of data is only getting bigger every day, the time to sort your data is now. Book a call with Data Cubed and let’s explore how to start your journey to become data driven.
We’re Data Cubed and we make data simple.

If you would like more information or to schedule an initial call with the Data Cubed team, use the contact information below.

Schedule a Meeting

aaron@data-cubed.co.uk

07535012326

https://data-cubed.co.uk/how-much-is-my-business-data-worth/

Deadline for entering PlymouthLive Business Awards is approaching!

December Update from Make UK

Make UK have released their Q4 Manufacturing Economic Outlook outlining the recent performance and trends of the sector – read it here

Book now for these Opportunities to network:

• Inspiring Solutions – National Manufacturing Conference – taking place in Westminster, London at QEII on 7th March 2023. Early bird offer ends 7^th Jan, tickets are discounted to members > Book Here
• Make UK National Awards Gala Dinner – taking place at East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, London on 26^th January 2023. Book Here

Further Briefings

• Make UK and PwC Executive Survey 2023 webinar: Key challenges and opportunities for the sector > 17^th January, 11:30 – 12:30. Book Here.

Manage the Energy Crisis

• Make UK Energy Market Update – 24^th January, 13:30 – 14:00. Book Here.
• Procure your energy with Make UK’s preferential partner Inspired Energy.
• SME’s ensure you are tapping into local funding and programmes of support.

Retain and Recruit Staff:

• HR Inform: Winning the Battle on Staff Retention – 8^th February 2023, 10:30 – 12:00. Book Here. Book Here.
• Complete our Make UK Manufacturing Salary Guide survey closes on 16 December, you still have time to complete it and secure your free copy of the guide. You can take the survey here: Salary Guide 2022 (snapsurveys.com)

Don’t forget to book our National Manufacturing Conference taking place in Westminster, London at QEII on 7^th March 2023. Book your place here – early bird offer ends 7^th Jan.

Devon businesses urged to apply for £1,000 grants

The Meet the Expert business support programme is due to end this year and there are still grants available for businesses to apply for.

Grants are on offer to help small or medium-sized enterprises in Devon to access valuable consultancy support and business owners are encouraged to apply soon, before the support programme ends later this year.

The Plymouth-based ‘Meet the Expert’ programme, now in its final year of operation, offers businesses across the county the chance to learn from experts in a range of fields such as strategy, sales, marketing, finance and legal advice. It aims to give support and advice to help overcome barriers, setting businesses on a more productive growth path. More than 230 businesses have been supported by the programme since it launched in 2020.

Fixed sum grants of £1,000 in match funding are available and businesses are asked to contribute just £515 themselves in order to receive bespoke business consultancy support. Applications for the next tranche of funding must be made by the end of July

Digital marketing: it’s not rocket science and it’s not mysterious – Insights from ARO PR and Marketing

Digital marketing can help to reach customers, staff, funders, and suppliers. This goes for existing customers and markets in which you are already strong. But for this article, we’re going to focus on finding new customers and pivoting into new industries.

Using digital marketing to reach potential customers and new industries

Digital marketing has moved a long way from its beginnings when the main activity was email campaigns. Then search engines optimisation (SEO) became the hot topic and now it has evolved to encompass a wide range of tools that can very precisely reach people that are, or could be, important to your business.

Digital marketing has become much more sophisticated – just think about the ads that pop up when you are browsing the web or in your social media feed; these are targeting specifically you, based on your interests and online activities.

Audience and keyword research

SEO will help your website appear at the top of the page in Google searches.

There are many techniques to win that coveted position on Google, from ensuring that the keywords that your potential customers, say, type into the search engine when they need your products or services, are present, on your website.

Determining what those keywords are would be an article in its own right, so we’ll leave it there. Another marketing activity that will help put you at the top of the rankings is profile – is your company referred to by other companies, especially technical media publications

Social Platform Selection

Not all social media platforms are equal. Each of the four major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn) has its type of user, posting and sharing their different types of content. By taking a closer look at data about your target audience and competitors, we can determine which platform your digital marketing efforts would yield the best results on.

Sending the Right Message

The digital space is all about messages. Think about what you’re doing right now: you’re reading an article about digital marketing.  The thing is, there are so many different and conflicting messages online that it can be difficult for potential customers to wade through the barrage.

This is where all the research about keywords and audiences comes into play. By using in-depth research and proper planning, we can deploy exactly the right message to the right customer (existing or potential) at the right time.

Digital Marketing Reports

The amazing thing about digital marketing is the wealth of data that it provides. Every click, every search query, and every ‘Like’ represents valuable data that can help us tailor the most effective digital marketing campaign. In the digital space, nothing is set in stone; the content on a website can be changed with just a few clicks, and so can your digital marketing strategy.

We constantly collect, analyse and review data, so that we can always ensure that the campaigns we’re running are fully optimised to reach their full potential. Providing reports to our clients also keeps us honest, because the numbers never lie!

Want to find out more about digital marketing? 

If you’re looking to reach potential customers and new industries, potential employees, digital marketing can put you right in front of them. It can start the conversation or it can keep the conversation flowing.

If you’d like to explore this further, do get in touch. We are a specialist agency, based in Ivybridge, for engineering and scientific companies. You can email me jayde.hobson@aroprandmarketing or visit our website to find out more www.aroprandmarketing.co.uk.

Dr Jan Vlieghe, member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee discusses the outlook for the economy and monetary policy Thursday, 27 May 2021 12:00 – 13:00

An online talk hosted by the Department of Economics and the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), University of Bath

About this event

In this talk, Dr Jan Vlieghe will discuss the outlook for the economy and monetary policy. He will focus in particular on recent developments in yields on government bonds, and what we can learn from these developments about the perceived risks to future growth and inflation. He will also reflect on the extent to which Quantitative Easing has influenced yields over the past year.

Speaker Biography

Dr Jan Vlieghe is an external member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee. Jan joined the MPC in September 2015, and his term is due to run until August 2021. He has previously worked at the Bank of England, between 1998 and 2005, as well as private sector investment houses, covering macroeconomic trends and their interaction with asset prices.

Register to attend – here

Photo above shows Dr Vlieghe (right) guest speaker at our PMG Christmas Lecture in 2018, along with Craig Moore, Partner with Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP who were our sponsors on the night.

Dr. Dan Jones BEng. PhD from Composite Combinations is offering consultancy services

‘My mission’ is to help companies develop and launch more innovative composite products by selecting and developing the right combinations of resins, reinforcements, and processes to optimise performance and cost. And to lower the barriers to successful product launches by guiding companies through setting up reliable, documented processes for robust manufacture to reduce the risk of product performance variability and consequent failure.

Full description of services – here

E-Bikes come to Plymouth with opportunities for Corporate Partnerships

Embracing the Shift: Returning to the Office in a Post-Pandemic Era

The PMG was approached by Vince Brooks from Engage Workplace about how his company can support our members – we chatted and realised it would be great if Vince could share his insights on creating a work place and office space that offers a more motivating, well-being supportive environment than working from home which so many people had to do during the pandemic. 

Here below are some well-considered insights from Vince!

We also want to thank Vince and Engage Workplace for their generous contribution to the PMG’s Seasonal Supper Charity Raffle for the Ocean Conservation Trust. 

“Embracing the Shift: Returning to the Office in a Post-Pandemic Era

The global workforce has navigated uncharted waters over the past couple of years, as the COVID-19 pandemic led to a widespread adoption of remote working. Now, as the world begins to heal and adjust to the “new normal,” a significant topic of discussion has emerged: the return to the office. This transition marks not just a geographical shift for employees, but also a reimagining of work dynamics, company culture, and the very nature of the workplace itself.

• Companies are now faced with a key question – how do we create a place of work that staff want to return to?

A Hybrid Horizon

The pandemic demonstrated that remote working is a viable option for many industries. As employees now possess firsthand experience of the benefits and challenges of working from home, the demand for flexibility has grown. Companies are recognising this paradigm shift and responding by embracing hybrid working models that allow employees to split their time between home and office. This flexibility has the potential to create a harmonious balance between personal and professional life, ultimately leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.

• Flexibility and hybrid working practices are vital in addressing skills shortages therefore, companies need to ensure they offer flexible working to attract and retain staff. (CIPD May 2023)

The Return of Serendipity

While remote working has showcased its strengths such as cost and time efficiencies, it has also highlighted the importance of spontaneous interactions that occur in a physical office. The watercooler conversations, chance encounters in hallways, and brainstorming sessions foster an environment of creativity and collaboration that is challenging to replicate online. The return to the office heralds the revival of serendipity, where ideas flow freely, relationships are forged, and innovation thrives in the unplanned moments that often lead to groundbreaking solutions.

Catalyst for Company Culture

Company culture, often considered the heartbeat of an organization, is deeply impacted by the transition back to the office. The physical workplace serves as a canvas for an organisation’s values, beliefs, and identity. Companies are presented with the unique opportunity to redefine and strengthen their culture as employees reunite under a shared roof. By incorporating lessons learned during remote working, such as fostering inclusivity and promoting work-life balance, organisations can create a culture that resonates both in-person and virtually.

Redefining Space and Purpose

The traditional office layout is also undergoing a transformation. Companies are reimagining office spaces to cater to the changing dynamics of work. Collaborative zones, quiet and private workstations, acoustic meeting pods and areas for relaxation are being designed to create a holistic environment that supports various working styles. The office is no longer solely a place for individual tasks; it is a hub for connection, innovation, and personal growth.

• With many innovative solutions now available to enable working styles and embrace new technology a working environment can be created to encourage the desire to return.

Embracing the Future

The return to the office symbolises a pivotal moment in the evolution of work. It is a chance for companies to harness the best of both worlds – the flexibility of remote working and the vibrancy of in-person collaboration. As organisations embrace this shift, they must prioritise the well-being of their employees, foster a culture of adaptability, and embrace innovation to create a workplace that is not just a physical space, but a thriving ecosystem where ideas flourish, relationships deepen, and individuals grow.

In Conclusion

The return to the office is not merely a logistical change but a holistic transformation that encapsulates the lessons learned from the pandemic. By balancing flexibility and structure, spontaneity and planning, companies can navigate this transition with empathy and foresight, ultimately creating a workplace that is resilient, adaptable, and empowered to shape the future of work”

www.engageworkplace.co.uk

Unit 4 Darklake Park, 6 Darklake View,Plymouth PL6 7FB

T: +44 (0)1822 855 558

A division of Engage PD Ltd. Registered in England and Wales 5880927.

Engineering Growth podcasts

A recently launched podcast platform to spread engineering news and topics.

Our Goals and Vision

We love helping engineering companies to grow. It’s a simple philosophy and we don’t see the need to complicate it with jargon, or bullshit!

The idea for the podcast is to talk to people that are involved in the engineering sector about how they have overcome challenges, solved problems in their businesses and achieved success themselves, in the hope that it inspires others to do the same.

We understand there are many facets of engineering, and one person’s widgets are very different from another’s. By concentrating on the human element we hope this cuts through those complexities and provides common sense advice on how to grow your business.

Our Story

With our collective experience in manufacturing and engineering, the formation of the Engineering Growth podcast was a natural evolution.

In an industrial B2B environment, where the requirements for lead generation, and the sales process, are often very different to many other industries, there is an appetite to share experiences and solutions.

We hope the podcast can shed light on common issues and provide some guidance as to how your engineering business could achieve sustainable growth.

We encourage you to think differently about engineering! Advance your leadership, elevate your team and tackle your problems head-on with new solutions.

Connect with like-minded engineers across the industry to grow your business, and face the challenges we all need to master. Whether its leadership, technology, workforce, community or process, Engineering Growth aims to give you the insight and the means to take ’em all on.

We talk to leaders and influencers, analyse industry news and hunt out tips and tricks to help your engineering business grow.

The Engineering Growth Podcast

A series of podcasts dedicated to helping Engineering businesses grow. Stay up to date with the latest industry trends, and learn how problems became solutions from some of the industry’s leading figures. Can you afford not to listen!

SUBSCRIBE NOW for free.

As recommended by Sylvain Briand, Business Development Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) Catapult.

Exeter Innovation – Latest South West Skills Newsletter

Marchmont Employment and Skills Observatory Newsletter – July 2024

Explore the Commonwealth Week – Export Events from 26th to 30th July 2021

With one year to go until the Commonwealth Games 2022 join us for a week of free virtual events to learn about opportunities for your business in a range of Commonwealth markets. Expect virtual 1:1 meetings with market and sector experts, peer to peer learning from Export Champions and market exploration webinars…

Today’s 54 Commonwealth countries account for over 17% of world GDP in Purchasing Power Parity and contain 2.4 billion of the world’s 7½ billion people.

Even without any formal arrangements, trading between Commonwealth countries is 19% cheaper than with non-members. Massive cost cuts come from shared history, cultural links, common legal systems, business practices, and a common language between many Commonwealth countries. This is also known as ‘the Commonwealth advantage’.

We want to support your business in exploring new and exciting markets across the Commonwealth. You can join a range of free events including….

Game On: Explore the Commonwealth

When? 26 – 30 July 2021

Exporting to the Commonwealth: Discovering Local Successes

When? 28 July 2021, 09:30 – 12:00 (BST)

Full details are available – here

Find out about the Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring project.

DIGITAL MANUFACTURING ON A SHOESTRING OFFERS A LOW RISK, LOW COST APPROACH TO DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring is a collaborative project that brings together a range of people working in the manufacturing industry with university researchers to adapt low-cost accessible technologies for companies to use. Conceived in 2016 by Duncan McFarlane, Professor of Industrial Information Engineering at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department, the project launched in 2018 and in the following three years demonstrated its potential for industrial impact with the help of industry partners.

The following content gives a quick overview of Shoestring:

• The 2 minute animation explaining Shoestring in a nutshell is on the home page
• There is a 4 min video case study at the top of the industry case studies page, plus scroll down to read more (and see 2 more videos)
• A 3 min ‘rough and ready’ video showing how a construction company implemented a job tracking solution

If you’d like to keep up to date with the project, please sign up for the Shoestring newsletter – enter a few details on this registration page .

Find out the latest news and growth initiatives from the South West Growth Hub

Check out the latest from South West Growth Hub in their December newsletter.

Also save the date for the Growth Hub’s popular in-person Business Resilience Event to you at Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth on 8th February – more details to follow….

Firm behind UK’s first gigafactory boosts partnership with University of Warwick in multi-million-pound deal

Coventry Live reported that the company behind the UK’s first gigafactory to build batteries for electric cars has strengthened its partnership with the University of Warwick with a new multi-million-pound deal. Britishvolt, which is building the facility in the North East, has extended its contract with WMG at the University of Warwick.

The company has announced the extension of an existing contract which will see the university develop battery cell technologies in moves to accelerate their route to market. The deal follows a successful initial 12-month project between the two organisations, triggering the new two-year programme of work.

Britishvolt is currently onsite at the former coalyards of the old Blyth Power Station in Northumberland as part of a £3.8bn electric vehicles battery plant project. The factory will eventually lead to 3,000 jobs, as well as thousands more through its supply chain.

Read the full article here on Coventry Live

First South West green hydrogen plant announced in net zero drive

The £2.5m facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park will form the basis of a regional hub for green growth with more than 30 cross-sector partners.

The South West’s first green hydrogen plant is set to be built, as part of efforts to find clean energy alternatives for achieving net zero targets.

The production and storage facility will be based at the new Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) research facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park.

Read the full article here.

Flying high with great ideas… How psychological safety can help foster innovation

By John Bessant

Try this. Get hold of a group of people, mostly strangers, and have them gather at the opposite side of a large room. Now run very fast towards them and, just before you reach them, leap off the ground and let yourself fly through the air.

Sounds a crazy thing to do and one which is not too healthy if they fail to catch you — yet it is a typical warm up exercise in the world of theatre. Groups of actors gather together to try and create a theatrical experience which will be memorable, drawing an audience into a journey of imagination. And in order to innovate in this fashion they need some core skills around building a sense of support for each other as they take risks and explore new ways of delivering that experience.

Flying through the air and hoping someone will catch you is a powerful way of developing that sense of support — and it underlines a key element in our understanding of what makes for effective innovation. We need a sense of psychological safety.

Innovation isn’t a solo act, never has been. It’s a team sport, a multiplayer game in which interaction amongst members helps create value from ideas. And a lot of innovation, particularly of the more radical variety, is about making it up as you go along — improvisation.

Read the complete article – here

Foot Anstey Employment & Pensions Bulletin 31st March

March newsletter – here

Forder Valley Link Road – First Beam Lift

The Forder Valley Link Road project reached a major milestone on Monday (17^th May) as work got underway to install the first of 28 concrete beams that will form the 140-metre bridge across the valley.

Each u-shaped beam measures 32 meters in length and needs to be carefully installed by an eight-strong crew.

Work to start installing the first of 28 beams got underway on Monday at the southern end of the bridge, nearest to Novorossiysk Road.

The Council has commissioned 2 videos:

how the beams got to Plymouth

and

first beam lift

Please do click on the links; there are some fantastic images of the work in progress.

Thanks for your interest in the project

Regards

Jon Cartwright

Senior Project Manager, Balfour Beatty, Southern Delivery Unit

Forward looking approach to meeting engineering and manufacturing skills needs

Exciting updates and improvements planned for around 50 engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships have been unveiled in an influential new report focused on how to support the full spectrum of current and future skills training needs for these vital sectors.

Publication today (18^th November) is the culmination of an extensive and employer-led review of training requirements for the engineering and manufacturing sector.

In addition to preparing the way for large numbers of apprenticeships to be brought up to date, the review report has recommended eight to be decommissioned due to insufficient demand or changing training requirements.

Feedback from the sectors also led to the Institute’s route panel of employer experts revising the engineering and manufacturing occupational map.

The map covers three pathways for progression from entry to higher levels covering: engineering, design and development; maintenance, installation and repair; and engineering, manufacturing process, and control.

Consultation feedback also identified the following priority jobs in need of consideration for new apprenticeships and wider technical education, which can for example include T levels and Higher Technical Qualifications, guided by employer-designed occupational standards:

1. Product development manager
2. Chemical engineer
3. Mechanical engineer
4. Simulation & modelling engineer
5. Glass manufacturing operative
6. Quality manager
7. Safety engineer
8. Engineering compliance manager

The resulting occupational map can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) website.

Relevant T Levels set to be added to the skills offer that will be taught from September 2022 will cover Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; and Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control.

The report published today also highlights future challenges and opportunities around skills training supporting Brexit, recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and keeping pace with emerging technology and sustainability issues.

Employers will form new partnerships with our new Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel to see how all apprenticeships and technical education can help tackle climate change and support the national drive to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Full article – here

Free business finance event for South West SMEs – 10th May 2022

The Heart of the South West LEP is holding a business support event in Paignton on 10th May, aimed at foreign-owned SMEs in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay.

Accessing financial and business support is crucial for business growth. As part of the Heart of the South West LEP’s aims to support economic and business growth in the region, the LEP are holding a free Access to Finance event for foreign-owned SMEs.

The Access to Finance seminar will offer guidance on Government funds and grants available to foreign-owned businesses, and business support available from the Heart of the South West Growth Hub, HSBC, and British Business Bank, with expert advice from SME lending specialists.

The event will feature speakers including:

• Eifion Jones, COO at Heart of the South West LEP
• David Hynd, Programme & Partnership Manager at Heart of the South West Growth Hub
• Paul Jones, Senior Manager UK Network Team at British Business Bank
• Chris Mears, Principal at BOOST&Co
• Richard Bowles, Director at ThinCats
• HSBC
• Wayne Loschi, Direct at EPIC

The Access to Finance seminar will be held on 10th May, 10am to 1pm, at the Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Paignton.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heart-of-the-south-west-access-to-finance-seminar-registration-310348058397

ENDS

For more information, please contact:  Isobel Shaw, communications@heartofswlep.co.uk,  07753 666438

About The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership – covering Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay – is one of the 38 LEPs in England. The Heart of the South West LEP is a business-led partnership between the private sector, local authorities, universities and colleges.

European Regional Development Fund

The project has received £900,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Free Drone Roof Inspections

Free Drone Roof Inspection: See Your Roof, Save Money, Stay Compliant!

Do you want to know the state of your industrial or commercial roof? Our exclusive free drone inspection service* can help you uncover potential issues, ensure building insurance compliance, and identify energy wastage – all without the inconvenience or risk of traditional expensive methods.

Regular roof inspections, especially with the help of our drones, allow you to:

• Uncover Hidden Issues: Our drones provide high-resolution (4K) images and video footage, revealing potential leaks, damage, and insulation problems before they become major repairs.
• Stay Compliant: Avoid costly insurance surprises. A detailed inspection report helps you stay up-to-date on roof maintenance and meets your building insurance requirements to keep your policy valid.
• Save Money and Energy: Identify areas where your roof loses energy, leading to higher cooling or heating bills throughout the seasons. Fix issues before they lead to significant energy waste.

Your roof is integral to your building, shielding and protecting your assets, stock, and personnel from the elements. However, even minor damage can quickly escalate into significant issues if left unchecked, which could affect your building insurance policy.

Why wait for leaks or damage to occur? Take a proactive step towards maintaining your roof by scheduling your free drone inspection today.

Samantha Kerswill | Business Development Manager | Retain Limited

T: 0800 027 2244 (option one)

E: samantha@retainlimited.com

*Terms and conditions apply

Free Event – Solar Hour: Shedding light on solar panels for businesses

This is a unique opportunity to understand your options for installing solar energy on your business premises.

Solar energy will reduce your carbon footprint, energy bills and is a great way to demonstrate that you are taking climate action.

You’ll have the opportunity to find out about the different installation options available from Plymouth Energy Community, Olympus Power and SunGift Solar, including whether you can benefit from free installation and maintenance.

The event will take place virtually on Wednesday the 26th of January between 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/solar-hour-shedding-light-on-solar-panels-for-businesses-tickets-228796264787

If you have any further questions please contact Beth Whittaker: beth.whittaker@plymouth.gov.uk

This event is part of the delivery programme for the Interreg-funded C-Care Programme, in conjunction with the Resurgam Charter Environment Theme, supporting businesses in Plymouth to recover strongly from the recent economic crisis. Signatories to the Resurgam Charter have committed to a fairer, greener future for Plymouth, benefiting from being part of an exclusive network which helps business growth and allows the sharing of best practice. If you want to get involved with the Resurgam Charter, please contact resurgamcharter@plymouth.gov.uk.

Free virtual Jobs Fair on 26th May

Calling all South West employers! Are you looking for fresh new talent and candidates with digital or technical training to join your team? Want to situate yourself as a leading regional employer?

Register for our free virtual Jobs Fair on 26th May as an employer and host a virtual table, giving up to 6 Train4Tomorrow learners the chance to learn about your company and exchange vacancy information and contact details.

You can register to attend for a full day, or a half day to meet with as many of our high-skilled learners as possible.

Find out more and sign up at: http://soc.devon.cc/WCg0F

FREE Workshop – Intro to Metal Additive Manufacturing

Freeport secures £25 million infrastructure investment

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has successfully drawn down the full £25 million from the Government for key infrastructure projects which will unlock growth and investment opportunities in the Freeport area.

Initiated by the previous Government, and with full backing provided by the new administration, the UK Freeports programme is designed to boost economic activity, jobs and innovation in areas that, historically, have been under funded.

As part of a package of measures to drive growth, £25 million seed capital funding was allocated to each English Freeport to address infrastructure gaps in Freeport locations and create the right physical conditions to encourage private sector investment.

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has successfully been awarded its full £25 million from Government, with seed capital funded projects either already underway or due to start soon.

The full seed capital programme is designed to stimulate investment, job creation, support innovation and facilitate workforce development across the Freeport’s key sectors of marine, defence, space, advanced manufacturing, engineering and clean energy. The programme will deliver:

• A Plymouth City Council direct development of two new buildings of innovation units and mezzanine office space at South Yard in Devonport
• A factory extension for anchor tenants Princess Yachts that will enable them to build a new motor yacht incorporating all the latest sustainability developments at South Yard
• A spine road extension by Devon County Council that will unlock Plot 7 and Plot 8 of Carlton Power’s land at the Freeport’s largest tax site at Langage
• Supply of power to Plot 2 and Plot 3 of Carlton Power’s development also at Langage
• An access road off Holland Road to Carlton Power’s Plot 1 and Plot 2, leading to Plot 5, at Langage
• A second Plymouth City Council direct development of four units – (circa 4,615sq m of flexible, high quality, sustainable workspace) at Langage – ground was broken on the development (Beaumont Way) at the start of December
• Land assembly enabling South Hams District Council to temporarily purchase and secure for Freeport purposes the tax site land at Sherford
• Core infrastructure including drainage and utilities, and access road delivery by the Sherford Consortium to enable development at Sherford
• A pedestrian/cycle bridge across the A38 by Devon County Council which will provide residents active travel access between the Freeport’s Langage and Sherford sites
• A port optimisation project by Cattewater Harbour Commissioners designed to attract cleaner, greener ships to the port
• Enhanced freight capability at Millbay Docks with the strengthening of the West Wharf, part of a £23m investment by Associated British Ports.

Richard May, CEO, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport:

“By supporting these crucial infrastructure projects, the Freeport is proving itself as the catalyst for stimulating economic growth, unlocking potential, attracting investment, and creating jobs for the people of Plymouth, South Devon and the wider region. We would encourage any new and high growth businesses operating in our focus sectors of marine, defence, space, advanced manufacturing and clean energy to contact the team to find out how the Freeport can support.”

Plymouth City Council’s leader Tudor Evans OBE:

 “I have said all along that when people ask what Freeport means: it means jobs – hundreds of quality jobs in emerging industries right here, in and around Plymouth.

“The programme of funding couldn’t be clearer in its aims to nudge infrastructure projects forwards

so that we seize the incredible opportunities bubbling away in our key business sectors.

“These schemes of buildings, wharfs, power, roads and land will create careers, supply chains,

collaboration, put money in people’s wallets and help businesses to flourish.”

Cllr John Birch, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development and Commercial Strategy:  

“I am really pleased that the final Freeport seed capital projects are progressing, with over £15m of the £25m being invested in the South Hams.

“Highway improvements between Sherford and Langage will help strengthen key links for Langage businesses, which will be essential for unlocking land that has already been allocated for employment growth. This growth will support manufacturing and high-value engineering businesses who will then benefit from the tax-free zone. 

“To date, over 100 businesses have expressed an interest in operating on the site and now we can move forward. Carlton Power’s green hydrogen plant has already gained planning permission which will provide green energy solutions locally within the South Hams.

“We are committed to increasing growth for our businesses in the South Hams, alongside our partners within the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. This is an exciting time.”

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills:

“The public and private sector partnership of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport should be extremely proud that it has successfully been awarded its full £25 million from Government. It’s a positive endorsement of the strength of the project and everyone involved should be applauded for their efforts.

“Devon County Council’s infrastructure schemes to develop an access road off Holland Road and a pedestrian/cycle bridge over the A38 will both improve access to Langage. A lot of work has already gone into preparing these key developments and there can be no doubt this infrastructure is critical to unlocking economic growth at the Freeport sites.”

The Freeport is supporting significant economic growth for Plymouth, South Devon and the wider region, with these seed capital funded infrastructure works playing a crucial role in unlocking its full potential. These works will enable business development, attract new investment, and ultimately generate jobs, and, with the extension of tax benefits now until September 2031, eligible new and high growth businesses, investors and developers now have an achievable timeframe to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities the Freeport provides.

Businesses interested in learning more about the PASD Freeport and its benefits are invited to contact the Freeport team via info@pasdfreeport.com or visit pasdfreeport.com

Freeport welcomes new Chair and appoints permanent CEO

The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has appointed Jan Ward CBE as its new Chair. Jan takes over the role, which has been held on an interim basis since May last year, from Adrian Bratt, Executive Director at Princess Yachts.

Richard May, who has held the role of interim CEO since last July, has now been appointed permanently and will officially take up his role from the 1st March.

These pivotal permanent appointments will continue to help shape and steer the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, which was given the green light by government last December following approval of its Full Business Case. As just one of eight Freeports in England, it will play a central role in unlocking investment opportunities, delivering infrastructure and promoting innovation both in the UK and globally.

Adrian Bratt, Executive Director, Princess Yachts:

“It has been a privilege to hold the role of Interim Chair of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. The Freeport has already started to accelerate opportunities and growth in its identified key sectors and I’m delighted to welcome Jan as Chair to continue to guide, advise and help shape the Freeport for the future.

 The Freeport will bring investment, growth, job creation and the introduction of new innovations into the region and Princess Yachts will remain committed to supporting this venture as Plymouth really does become open for business.”

Jan Ward CBE is the founder and CEO of Corrotherm International, an international business which specialises in supplying advanced materials for fabricating oil, gas and power generating equipment. Jan has been involved in international trade since the outset of her career and has always been a highly enthusiastic promoter of manufacturing and international trade as an economic driver for prosperity globally.

Alongside her new role for the Freeport, Jan is currently a Director of the UAE-UK Business Council and a member of its Advisory Committee and holds a number of Non-Executive posts with manufacturing businesses.

Jan Ward CBE, Chair, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport:

“I’m delighted to be appointed to this exciting role as Chair of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. The introduction of Freeports across the UK enables local authorities and private partners to work together to develop the economies of their regions. The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport is no exception and working alongside the three local authorities, the private sector and a wider range of stakeholders presents the opportunity to advance the regions’ internationally significant capabilities in marine, defence and space to the benefit of the local economy and its residents. It is our ambition to ensure that this beautiful and historically important region achieves its full potential, flourishes and thrives.”

Richard May led the successful Freeport bid and is Senior Responsible Officer for its delivery. Prior to his interim role, and now permanent position as CEO, Richard previously managed marine investment for Plymouth City Council bringing together marine technical businesses with affiliated research, knowledge partners and the wider ecosystem, under the collective name of Ocean Futures; a programme that the Freeport will play a key part in.

Prior to joining Plymouth City Council, Richard was Innovation Director at Oxford Innovation managing business support programmes for 140 small tech companies and leading incubation programmes for the UK Space Agency. He also has over 25 years of business and senior management experience gained in the technology and consulting departments of leading global companies like Credit Suisse, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Arthur Andersen.

Richard May, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport said:

“It is my absolute privilege to be taking up the position of CEO for the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. Having worked on the project from the initial bid stage in late 2020 through to getting the green light from government just two months ago, and being one of the first Freeports in the programme to do so, I’m excited to be part of the next stage in the journey. I look forward to working with Jan, the Board of Directors and Member organisations as we begin to welcome investment, partnership opportunities, innovation and new jobs into the Freeport – it really is only the beginning for this highly ambitious and crucially important project to the region.”

The Freeport is a dynamic public/private partnership with Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council working alongside Babcock, Princess Yachts, Carlton Power, the Sherford Consortium and a wider range of stakeholders including the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter, ABP (Associated British Ports), Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, skills providers and the Heart of the South West LEP to ensure its success.

Jan Ward CBE will commence her role of Chair of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport following a Freeport Board meeting this month. Richard May will take up the role of CEO from 1st March. Both appointments are made by Plymouth and South Devon Freeport Limited, a private company limited by guarantee without share capital.

Freeports: have your say

Please take part in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Freeports business sentiment survey, have your say and help us understand how businesses and regions feel about Freeports.

There’s been a lot of excitement and noise in the market following the government’s budget announcement, which confirmed the locations of UK Freeports (East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe and Harwich, Humber Region, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth, Solent, Thames, Teesside).

Our aim is to collect survey responses from across the UK as an ‘industry pulse’ to better gauge how business owners and leaders feel about Freeports at a regional and national level. Once the survey has concluded, we will publish a report outlining our findings.

The survey should take no more than seven minutes to complete and your data will be used on an anonymous basis. There will be a question towards the end where you will able to submit your details if you’d like to receive the report.

Take the survey – here

Freeports: truths, myths and misconceptions – post event resources

Courtesy of our hosts Womble, Bond Dickinson, we are pleased to share with PMG members the recording and slides from the event held on 13th July.

The session led by Craig Moore, Malcolm Dowden and Peter Snaith explored what the real opportunities are regarding Freeports, with a focus on Plymouth and South Devon Freezone.

We were also joined by Kevin McKenzie, Policy & Intelligence Advisor for Plymouth City Council and Stuart Elford, Chief Executive for Devon & Plymouth Chamber to help people to understand what the opportunities are whether you are within, adjacent or nowhere near a Freeport.

Please click below to watch the recording or download a copy of the slides. As always, if you have any queries regarding Freeport opportunities, do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual contact.

Webinar recording – https://tinyurl.com/k9cecbj6

Webinar slides – https://tinyurl.com/ydbsf7h2

email me for the recording password stevegerry@dsl.pipex.com

During the course of proceedings, Malcolm Dowden referred to the Electronic Consignment Note (eCMR). The eCMR protocol (https://www.iru.org/what-we-do/facilitating-trade-and-transit/e-cmr ) has been ratified by 28 countries including the UK in December 2019 and provides a legal framework and standards for the use of electronic means to record the CMR consignment note. The eCMR schema holds comprehensive data sets that can be integrated directly with HMRC Customs Declaration and Goods Vehicle Movement data sets, as well as with waybills across all other modes of transport to automate customs declaration submissions and compliance.

If you need to know more about eCMR and a Customs Gateway developed expressly for the purpose of managing declaration communications with HMRC please contact Jonathan Bowker, CEO & Founder,  Innovative Integrations and efreight.uk

Email: jonathan@innovativeintegrations.co.uk

Contact/Whatsapp: +44 (0) 755 204 5721

Fully Funded Student Virtual Internships with the University of Plymouth Business School

I’m contacting you to see if your PMG members would be interested in a scheme Plymouth Business School is running.

I have secured funding to pay for student Virtual Internships, whereby we want to support local businesses and organisations and give our students or recent graduates experience at the same time.  The scheme allows us to fund a limited number of student Virtual Internships.  Interns working on projects will be paid at a standard rate of £13/hour, up to a maximum of 38 hours per project (£494), which will be funded by the Plymouth Business School Virtual Internship Scheme.  We have run a similar scheme last year elsewhere in the University, and it was very successful in helping deliver specific projects for business and organisations.

Plymouth Business School students and graduates study a range of courses including knowledge of finance, economics, marketing, HR/leadership, strategy, logistics and supply chains and events/hospitality/tourism.  Some students will have knowledge of French and Spanish.

If your members are interested and have discrete projects they feel our students could help them with I attach the application form – here – which needs to be returned by Friday 16^th April, with funding allocated on a first come first served basis.  I do not think the application form is complicated, but hopefully a small funded project may help some of your members.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

All the best.

Nigel

Dr Nigel Jackson

Reader in Persuasion and Communication

Associate Head of School

Knowledge and Engagement

Plymouth Business School

Fully funded Training Dates for manufacturers in April 2021

Fully funded Training Dates for manufacturers in April 2021 courtesy of Cornwall Marine Network.

See here for details – https://bit.ly/3r8rlkg

Lisa Hutchings

Maritime UK South West – Skills Manager

Visit our COVID Business Support Hub for up to date information and resources and links

Cornwall Marine Network Ltd

Tel:        07494 898134

Email:    lisa.hutchings@cornwallmarine.net

Funded internship and work experience initiatives with the University of Plymouth

SME PMG employers! If you would like some support with a project, from a student or recent grad, for up to 100 hours (funded), then the brand new Santander Employability Scheme https://bit.ly/39nOvgy could be of interest to you.

The University of Plymouth has worked in partnership with Santander for several years. Funded internship and work experience initiatives have always proven popular and beneficial for students, graduates and employers. Building on previous successful schemes we are pleased to announce two new programmes available to SMEs for the remainder of the 2020/21 academic cycle.

If finances are currently holding you back from offering a workplace experience to our students or recent graduates then either initiative could be the solution for you, whilst the funding is available.

Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis, to those who meet the eligibility criteria and at the discretion of the Employer Engagement team within the Careers Service. All bursary payments will be coordinated by the University and made payable direct to the individual. 

For more info please contact our team on: internships@plymouth.ac.uk.

Funding Competition- Made Smarter Innovation: Sustainable Smart Factory

UK registered businesses and organisations can apply for a share of up to £20m for digital innovation projects that will improve the resource efficiency and energy efficiency of manufacturing processes in factories.

• Competition opens: Monday 1 November 2021
• Competition closes: Wednesday 26 January 2022 11:00am

Further applications invited to LEP’s £900k inward investment fund

The HotSW LEP has announced a second round for applications to its £900k ERDF Inward Investment Support Grant Scheme. The fund, designed to boost economic recovery and create new jobs in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay, offers grants of between £25k-£150k which require match funding, to foreign-owned businesses based in the region who are looking to grow.

Two businesses who successfully secured grants of almost £190k between them in the first round are EFFECT Photonics and Vexcolt, which will lead to the creation of over 70 new jobs.

More – here

G&H Enhances Coatings Expertise with Acquisition of Artemis Optical

G&H, a leading provider of precision optics and photonics solutions, announced today the acquisition of Artemis Optical, a leader in advanced thin-film coatings. This acquisition further enhances G&H’s product portfolio and creates new opportunities for vertical integration and the cross selling of enhanced combined capabilities.

Under the new company name, G&H | Artemis, this partnership marks a significant milestone in the journey of both companies. With origins dating back almost 200 years to a pioneering optician in Victorian London’s Wigmore Street, the Plymouth-based Artemis Optical currently employs 40 talented individuals. G&H plans for the newly acquired site to become a dedicated Centre of Excellence for coatings within the Group.

G&H selected Artemis Optical due to its state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled team. This investment also complements G&H’s recent acquisition of GS Optics, further advancing the Group’s position in the aerospace, defence and life sciences sectors at the same time as fostering greater innovation within the organization.

“The addition of Artemis Optical to G&H is an exciting new chapter of accretive growth for the company and innovation for our combined customers. Artemis’ renowned excellence in thin-film coatings complements our existing capabilities to enable us to deliver advanced photonics technology and unparalleled value for our customers. Together, we are well-positioned to accelerate our customer focused innovation plans and create a better world with photonics,” said Charlie Peppiatt, CEO of G&H.

The acquisition is a hugely complimentary fit to the Group’s existing extensive coating capabilities and enables enhanced vertical integration opportunities for G&H to provide comprehensive solutions to customers in defence and other industries that require robust laser protection and advanced optical filtering.

“With Artemis Optical joining forces with G&H, we are entering a new era of possibilities,” said Stratos Kehayas, G&H Chief Commercial Officer. “Artemis’s thin-film coating expertise significantly expands our ability to offer customers diverse choices that ensure the perfect fit for their unique requirements.”

Through this new partnership between Artemis and G&H, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, customers gain the advantage of selecting precise substrate and coating materials of the highest quality that perfectly align with their application or product requirements. Artemis will continue to maintain its dedicated focus on serving markets such as aerospace, military and defence, life sciences, and various other technology applications.

“The acquisition of Artemis by G&H is an exciting milestone for both of our journeys,” said Jamie Pindard, General Manager of Artemis Optical. “I am confident that existing customers of both companies will benefit from the combined expertise, resources and global reach that we can now bring to the market. We look forward to continuing to provide our customers with groundbreaking solutions.”

About G&H

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing, and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defence industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back seventy-five years.

About Artemis Optical

Artemis Optical is a thin-film coating company renowned for its expertise in a variety of cutting-edge applications. While they are recognized as global leaders in designing optical filters for tailored electro-optical and laser protection, as well as bespoke head-up display combiners, their true specialty lies in developing customized, system-enabling optical filtering, mirror and window alternatives. Spanning from 400nm to the Long wave infrared, Artemis Optical’s offerings cater to the diverse needs and applications of industries such as defence, aerospace, industrial and life sciences.

Media Contacts

Brittany Ryan

Global Marketing Manager, G&H

+1 (216) 453-8616

bryan@gandh.com

www.gandh.com

Getting Manufacturing Animated

An insight from Dave Meadows, Managing Director at PUSHED

Commissioning animation as a manufacturer can significantly boost your communication strategy. The versatility of animation makes it an invaluable tool for simplifying complex processes, rendering your message more accessible to your audience, and ultimately saving time and resources in the long term.

At the outset of the commissioning process, clarity on your objectives is paramount. Whether you aim to explain a process, spotlight a product, or bolster engagement, defining your goals is crucial. Should you find yourself uncertain about the best direction to take, reputable animation studios can offer guidance and assistance.

When looking for animation partners, prioritize those with experience in manufacturing or industrial animations. Review portfolios to ensure they match your desired style and quality standards. It’s beneficial to start by sending an outline email to gauge their interest in the project, including details such as objectives, target audience, budget, and timeline. This gives the studio a clear understanding of your requirements, setting the stage for a more productive first meeting where they can provide initial insights and estimates.

Stay closely involved with the animator throughout the production process. Offering feedback at every stage helps keep the animation in line with your vision. Make important decisions promptly, especially regarding changes to the animation order and script, as adjustments during the storyboard phase are generally more cost-effective than later on. Once the animation is finished, utilize your communication channels to promote it efficiently. To see how the animation process works, take a look at this animation!

https://www.pushed.co.uk/video/how-to-just-make-an-animation/

By adhering to these steps, you can seamlessly commission animation to amplify your communication endeavours as a manufacturer.

If you would like to discuss animation for your business, contact Pushed;

• • +44(0)1752 346507
  • hello@pushed.co.uk

Going with the flow – How great ideas sometimes come from following the natural flow of things…..

In our continuing series of articles on the subject of innovation taken from John Bessant’s blog, this one features James Brindley, who was born in 1716, and offers a good reminder of some key innovation themes involved in bringing large scale ideas to fruition and having an impact at scale.  He might have been nicknamed  ‘the Schemer’, improvising his way to solving engineering problems, but he also understood things like:

• the importance of systems thinking and the need for complementary assets – identifying and putting in place the many interlocking pieces of the puzzle
• the value of prototypes and working models to help persuade and accelerate adoption. Legend has it that when he was presenting his ideas to a sceptical group of Members of Parliament whose approval he needed for the Bridgwater canal route he used a cheese out of which he carved a model of the aqueduct he proposed to build!
• the power of open innovation, learning from the many different sectors and projects he worked with and integrating knowledge from these different worlds – for example, using his knowledge of ceramics to develop the puddling clay liners for his canals
• the importance of business models in laying out the architecture through which ideas can create value. He not only understood the literal flow of water, he was also skilled at managing cash flow, acquiring a reputation for being ‘careful with money’ which undoubtedly helped realise some of the huge schemes with which he was involved.

Read the full article, taken from John Bessant’s blog – here

Image: James Homans on Unpslash

Government to make it simpler for businesses to apply new product safety markings

Great South West formally recognised in Levelling Up plans

From Business Live:

A bid for the South West to become the ‘UK natural powerhouse’ has been formally recognised by the Government.

The Great South West initiative which arose from a campaign kickstarted by the Western Morning News and Pennon Group, has been namechecked in the Levelling Up White Paper, published recently.

Read the story in full on Business Live here

Greenlight Safety & Training

Greenlight is a Plymouth-based family-run business that understands a one-size-fits-all approach to Health and Safety is problematic. Every company is different and has different needs. That’s why we offer a bespoke approach to providing our services, based solely on client requirements. There’s no flab, nothing extraneous – we give our clients what they need, and we appreciate that what a client needs varies greatly from business to business. When you hire us, we’ll tell it like it is. Greenlight will undertake an internal safety audit within your organisation in the first instance, and then tell you exactly what you need to do to make sure you are fully compliant with the very latest industry legislation. We’ll provide clarity and practical advice as to your next steps, and we won’t dress it up with unnecessary jargon.

Our clients get industry-leading advice and guidance, and the confidence to know they’re supported by our expertise. We ensure that staff are looked after, that projects can go ahead without delay, and that work can continue in the safest way possible. We enable businesses to develop and assist them as they go on to larger, more ambitious projects. Our friendly, matter-of-fact team brings a no-nonsense approach to all interactions, whilst never forgetting that safety and professionalism is at the forefront of everything we do.

To find out more please visit www.greenlightsc.co.uk

Heart of the South West Quarterly Bulletin Winter 22/23 is out

Access the bulletin here.

Heart of the SW launches ERDF Inward Investment Support Grant Scheme

The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) has launched a grant scheme for foreign-owned companies investing in the area to create jobs in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. £560,000 of funding is available for businesses across Devon, and £300,000 for those in Somerset. The scheme is open to businesses that meet the criteria below:

• Open to SMEs only. SMEs employ fewer than 250 persons and have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million Euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million Euro
• The SME must be located in the Heart of the South West to be eligible. We cannot support SMEs whilst they are abroad and the funds cannot be used for the direct costs of relocation. However, a package of support would be available once the SME has located to the Heart of the SW to help pave the way for the move.
• We cannot support the relocation of SMEs from other EU countries as this would be displacement.   However, we can support the expansion of SMEs from other EU countries already located in the HotSW area.
• The funding can be used for both Capital – which can cover items such as machinery, fixtures, fittings, business accommodation and workspace and  Revenue costs – which can cover items such as services and consultancy, digital marketing, IP, quality management, IT systems

Businesses operating in the following sectors are not eligible under ERDF rules/state aid rules:

• Farming/fishing/primary production
• Processing and marketing of agricultural products
• Coal/steel and shipbuilding sectors
• Synthetic fibres sectors
• Banking and insurance companies
• Services already provided by the state including education and healthcare (including day nurseries and schools)
• Retail facilities
• Nuclear commissioning or decommissioning

To discuss the grant scheme and your eligibility lease contact the LEP’s Inward Investment Manager Carla Modley at carla.modley@heartofswlep.co.uk

Alongside the grant scheme businesses will be entitled to a business support brokerage.

This funding is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

Go to the webpage here

HellermannTyton to create 100 jobs in Plymouth after factory expansion

Plymouth manufacturer HellermannTyton has broken ground on phase II of a major expansion of its factory which is expected to create 100 jobs.

The multi-million-pound investment will see its site at the Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park, in Derriford, double in size to support market growth and increase its capacity.

Delayed due to the Covid pandemic, the expansion is part of HellermannTyton’s 10-year plan to reinforce its status as the leading supplier of cable management solutions.

The Plymouth site is one of two manufacturing facilities HellermannTyton operates in the UK, alongside its sister site in Manchester.

Already, more than four million components are manufactured at Plymouth every year; the expansion will see capacity increase even further. The expansion gives HellermannTyton the ideal combination of production space, warehousing, shipping docks and R&D labs.

Key manufacturing processes at the new facility will concentrate on solutions for manufacturing, industrial, earthmoving, defence and rail applications.

The full article that appeared on the Plymouth Herald, Business Live website is available – here

Help Eggbuckland Community College to engineer our future workforce!

Please support Eggbuckland Community College as they raise funds through Crowdfunding to replace aging equipment within their Technology Department.  This equipment, to include a laser cutter and CNC router will help to develop students knowledge and skills so they are ready for the workplace, particularly within the engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors.  Please check out this Crowdfunder video link for further information.

Eggbuckland Community College’s Crowdfund to Engineer our Future Workforce

Help fund Plymouth Artists Together to create street art in your area!

  

 

How is Social Media Driving Innovation?

This is a second in a series of blogs on the subject of innovation courtesy of John Bessant

Every organization should strive for innovation. By coming up with fresh ideas and concepts, as well as properly implementing them, organizations can collectively work towards a brighter and more successful future. However, generating new concepts and aiming for true innovation does not come easy.

Thankfully, various advancements in technology have allowed us to easily exchange ideas and gather data. One such tech tool that can drive innovation today is social media. According to a recent report, at least 70% of Americans use social media for various purposes, such as connecting with one another, sharing information, entertaining themselves, and engaging with news content. The sheer amount of data generated on social media platforms can help organizations produce new and innovative concepts, services, or products.

Here, let’s take a closer look at how social media positively impacts innovation.

It allows for active social listening

In order to connect with an online community and learn from consumers, organizations need to practice social listening. However, this process is not as simple as talking to customers via social media or looking at comments. In order to unlock actionable insights that can be used for innovation, organizations need to develop processes that capture, measure, and analyze comments on social media. When gathered correctly, the data from active online listening can have a bigger impact compared to those collected through traditional processes like focus groups or surveys. It also allows for companies to respond to any issues much quicker. Research shows that 71% of customers who receive quick, effective responses on social media are more likely to recommend the brand to others.

It helps organizations safeguard their ideas and data

Driving innovation in an organization requires the assistance of some key professionals. In order to be successful, a company will need to hire someone who has been trained in the latest trends. One area that this is particularly true in is cybersecurity. Social media is driving innovation in cybersecurity because the amount of people who use it makes it a huge security risk. Cybersecurity degree holders can help a company overhaul its security protocols, protect their novel ideas and concepts through offensive and defensive strategies. In a world where data is considered a commodity, organizations have to bolster their cybersecurity through virtualization, digital forensics, malware analysis, and event management.

However, it can be difficult to hire these professionals nowadays, as it is reported that there are 3 million unfilled job openings for skilled security professionals around the world. Thankfully, organizations can connect with and hire these professionals through professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn. With over 720 million users, LinkedIn allows businesses to screen and employ professionals who can help them bolster their security and protect their data.

It allows organizations to streamline the innovation process

Some organizations find it hard to break out of their linear structure. After collecting customer insight and data, an organization then goes through the long process of developing a product, marketing it, and hoping that it turns a profit. However, this step-by-step approach is a cumbersome and costly process that organizations need to transform in today’s fast-moving world.

Through social media, organizations can shorten their approach to product development, as well as conduct multiple experiments for various innovative concepts. As the customers interact with their experiments on social media, organizations can shorten the feedback loop and quickly figure out what concepts work best for their target market. For more information on this subject, do check out our post on platforms for social innovation.

This feature was prepared by JBurris and appeared on John Bessant’s website –  here

Image courtesy of unsplash

How to avoid the pitfalls of reshoring manufacturing

The Made In Group published this interesting article about reshoring in late March 2022

“Three in four manufacturing businesses are looking to relocate elements of their production in-house or establish UK-based supply chains, according to The Manufacturer. Doing so would provide a welcome boost to the sector and the wider economy but it’s not something businesses should rush into.

Jonny Williamson sat down with Darren Webb, Sales Manager at Global Precision, to learn why. “

Read the full article here

How your business can engage with SailGP

SailGP is sailing redefined. Not only for the sailing enthusiast – but for anyone that wants to be part of a truly thrilling, adrenalin packed, annual global sports championship. It will culminate with a $1 million winner-takes-all match race in the final in San Francisco in March 2022.

However, major events such as SailGP bring more to a city than fan excitement. In addition to the thrills of the on-sea action, SailGP will funnel millions of pounds into the local economy – whilst attracting global attention and supplying the cobbles with a boost to tourism.

We want to make sure that this is not only a valuable event for those that visit Plymouth, but for all of us in Plymouth too. Making sure there is ‘wind in your businesses sails’ before, during and long after SailGP hits the sound.

Involvement and engagement are key to the success of your business benefiting from SailGP’s two-day event, and with that in mind, we have created a SailGP Business Engagement Pack for ways that your business can unlock value from this thrilling close to shore yacht racing event

View the SailGP Business Engagement Pack

Find out more on the Invest Plymouth SailGP page

Watch SailGP live

The Great Britain SailGP Team has unveiled its squad that will race in the global sailing championship this year. The team will be racing in the SailGP Great Britain Grand Prix, which takes place in Plymouth on 17^th and 18^th July 2021.

British fans will be able to watch all the action live on Sky Sports, SailGP’s Official Broadcast Partner in the UK, who will air each of the global races live, starting with the Bermuda event which took place over the weekend, and can be watched on demand – https://sailgp.com/watch/

Hymid wins award for Sustainability and has a facility facelift!

Hymid has been having a busy Spring and Summer 2023 with news on their socials!

Not only have the team been winning awards, creating fantastic collaborations with their clients but they have also been undertaking works on site to give the production facility a facelift.

In mid-June it was with immense pleasure that Hymid announced that in partnership with SageTech Medical, they had been awarded the Sustainability Award at the Med-Tech Innovation  Awards 2023!

The company described the award as “strongly reflecting the potential of the revolutionary, eco-conscious and environmentally friendly solution created by SageTech Medical, in collaboration with the design and manufacturing excellence of Hymid. While the competition was fierce, Hymid emerged as winners in the Sustainability category and had a fantastic night at the awards show in Birmingham.”

Read the full awards news article here

Also this year, Hymid has been undertaking series of work to give their production facility a facelift – outside there is a new roof on the whole facility with additional insulation for greater energy efficiency. This new roof is also now capable of taking solar panels; so watch this space! Read the whole story of updates here.

Earlier in the Spring, Hymid also dipped its toes in the TikTok waters – amazingly quickly their subscribers have risen to over 1000. As TikTok is often enjoyed by a young demographic, we at the PMG salute Hymid for gaining traction for celebrating design, engineering and manufacturing on this platform and hope that it will encourage the growth of young talented engineers and designers! If you would like to see what Hymid are up to on TikTok and You-Tube – check them out here:

Hymid on TikTok

Hymid on YouTube

Hymid wins Plastic Industry Design Award and looks forward to celebrating 25th Anniversary.

Just as Hymid is about to begin the year that they celebrate their 25th anniversary, they have also become proud winners of the Plastic Industry Award for ‘Best Consumer Product Design – International’ with Chilly’s and Studio Wood.

Everyone at Hymid is delighted to have their hard work on the Chilly’s Series 2 range recognised with such a prestigious award.

The Chilly’s Series 2 range focuses on the reusability of portable drinks containers, negating the need for single-use disposable bottles and cups. The range includes both a water bottle and coffee cup which are thermally insulated, designed to keep drinks warm or cold for long periods of time. Work on the Series 2 range involved extensive collaboration between Hymid, Chilly’s and Studio Wood to create designs which not only look fantastic but are also highly innovative in the techniques and technologies employed. As one of only a handful of injection moulding companies in the UK capable of complex two-shot moulding, Hymid was able to provide the expertise required for the ambitious designs of the Series 2 range to become a reality.

Read more about Hymid and the award here

Having had a record year in 2021, where the company served more customers, created higher quality products than ever before and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in injection moulding, the company is now raring to go in 2022.

Hymid posted on Linkedin that not only do they plan another record year, but they also plan on making some big improvements to their processes, including starting their journey of becoming a net zero company!

Fantastic news – the PMG will stay tuned for these exciting developments!

Implementing the Circular Economy – A Course for SME’s and their partners

A new executive education course for SME’s is being launched by the University of Exeter in the Exeter Centre for the Circular Economy.

Launching in Feb. 2022, the course is designed and delivered by the university’s world leading circular economy business research centre which has been recognised as a ‘Global Pioneer’ for Circular Economy by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

This new offering is specifically targeted at supporting SMEs transition to the circular economy. Here are some of the course aims:

The 6-week online course will show you the opportunity from Circular Economy. We target how to create and capture value from circular economy, achieve competitive advantage and grow your business. 

The course will give you  

• Insights from real world SME practitioners telling their story of success and how they overcame the many challenges on their journey 
• In depth case studies showing how it works up close 
• Tools and resources showing how to get started, how to implement and how to scale 
• Weekly Challenges designed to move you towards action planning and clearly defined value creation impacts  
• Mentoring and active peer-to-peer interaction
• A community of liked minded practitioners with active post-course networking
• And much more….“

The course is 6-weeks, and is delivered online with live (also recorded) webinars each week. The price per head is £1,750.

See the Course Brochure here:

Implementing the Circular Economy – A course for SMEs and their partners

Industrial AI in action: Creating business value at scale in smart manufacturing

Industrial Solutions Event ONLINE- Marine science and technology – 18 May 2022

Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) is pleased to announce the second Industrial Solutions Event  on Marine Science and Technology on 18 May 2022, 10:00 – 12:00 

Please register here for this ONLINE event

Supported by Innovate UK, UKRI and our partners JEOL UK and Oxford Instruments, Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) is hosting a series of free, business-focused events.

These quarterly Industrial Solutions events will show how different sectors (including those highlighted in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy Fund) can benefit from working with PEMC and will focus on priority areas for the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP). The series will also support the establishment of an Analysis & Imaging Network of previous beneficiaries of PEMC’s industry support, intended to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration between industrial, technical, and academic stakeholders.

We warmly invite companies to join us for one or more of these events, not only to discover what electron microscopy could do for your business but also to find out about the latest UK funding opportunities for industry, particularly SMEs. Designed to be informative, relevant, and useful in terms of practical analysis and future funding opportunities, each event is packed with useful information for businesses engaging with electron microscopy.

Innovate UK action plan for business innovation 2021 to 2025

This publication sets out how Innovate UK will support business innovation in the UK between 2021 and 2025.

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency, helping UK businesses to grow through innovation.

This action plan explains how the focus of activities will be in five strategic theme areas:

• future economy
• growth at scale
• global opportunities
• innovation ecosystem
• government levers.

It also outlines the strong foundations that underpin the support Innovate UK give for innovation:

• UK science and research
• design
• responsible innovation
• innovation talent and skills
• equality, diversity and inclusion
• place and levelling up.

Innovate UK SMART Grants: Aug 2021

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable research and development innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy.

This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.

Eligibility summary

This competition is open to single applicants and collaborations.

To lead a project your organisation must be a UK registered:

• business of any size
• research and technology organisation (RTO)
• carry out your research and development (R&D) project activity in the UK
• intend to commercially exploit the project results from the UK
• be or involve at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).

Full details – here

Insights from Mental Health Training Provider – Simpila

When things feel too much, what do you do?

by Simpila Mental Health

“I feel agitated, my head hurts and just wish everyone would leave me alone”

Does this sound familiar? That is ok to admit. These are just some of the most common symptoms of stress and everyone at some point experiences it. In fact, 74% of people reported that they have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed and unable to cope (Mental Health Foundation and YouGov, 2018). It isn’t surprising that more and more of us are feeling it, the world around us is changing and not to mention the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis. You are not alone, stress is real, but you can make things better.

Before we explore some techniques that could be helpful to combat stress, let’s take a closer look at why we even get stressed in the first place. Firstly, it is normal, we are only human, and it is a natural response to having pressure and stress applied to us. And secondly it isn’t always bad to feel some stress, it can be motivating.

But why do we sometimes feel that things get too much? Like we can’t cope with it?

I like to think of it as being, we all carry an invisible container around with us which represents how much stress we can go through each day. Every time a stress is applied to us, our container fills up a little bit more. There is a limit to what we can take on, and this limit is determined by our levels of vulnerability. (Mental Health First Aid England, 2022).

We can’t see our own containers; we can feel it though. If we take a moment to check-in with ourselves first thing in the morning and think, how big is my container today? How full is it? We can start to tune in to how we are really feeling, take control and plan to make things better.

Brain dumping can be cathartic. Taking a pen and scribbling down on a piece of paper everything in your mind, don’t overthink it, just let your pen do the talking. Once you start to slow down with dumping your thoughts, read it back, place a star next to anything causing the most stress. Ask yourself; what needs my attention now? What can I change? Can someone help me with this? Where can I get more support? You may find this a positive step to lighten the load and give you some breathing space.

Dedicating some time to focus on YOU can be a fantastic way to increase the size of your container or create more space. Take a look at the ’10 keys to happier living’ https://actionforhappiness.org, here you can find some brilliant ways to look after yourself, lower stress and live a happier lifestyle. Challenge yourself, why not try something new.

We know that stress is normal but what causes us to feel stress? One of the most common causes of stress is work-related, in a study conducted on adults it was reported that 79% of those asked said they felt it often. Of those who said they were feeling stressed, 51% reported also feeling depressed and 61% anxious, (Statista, 2020). It is difficult to ignore the impact that this can have on absenteeism but also presenteeism in the workplace. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Force Survey has found that 17.5 million working days were lost last year (2021) due to mental health related sickness absence.

Do you feel ready to take some positive steps to support your employees? Help to create a happier and healthier workplace for all? We can help.

Simpila is a consulting and training company focused on helping companies create happy and healthy workplaces through gradual cultural change. We have partnered with various small and large businesses from QinetiQ, British Airways to HR companies offering Mental Health First Aid & Refresher Training (MHFA), Mental Health Awareness Training, Mental Health First Aid Champion Training, along with also offering many bespoke mental health training courses (https://www.simpila.com/awareness-courses/#mentalhealthawarenessformanagers).

We would love the opportunity to work with you and your team by providing training, resources and creating a plan to make a difference. We have something for everyone whether you have a small team or a larger organisation, we work with you and your team to provide a service that is right for your needs.

If this is something you are interested in, please feel free to reach out and we can discuss more.

Louisa Downs, Mental Health Trainer and Wellbeing Business Consultant. Simpila Mental Health. www.simpila.com

Email: louisa.downs@simpila.com

Phone: 07531825682

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/mental-health-statistics/stress-statistics

 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1134359/common-types-of-stress-in-the-uk/

https://www.nice.org.uk/

Insights on Manufacturing Websites – the Double X Factor…

Anna Lake Consulting who has been an expert speaker for the PMG Marketing group contacted us to say that she had been working with the very friendly folk at Plymouth-based Made with Maturity on a campaign which looks at the ux and communication of cx on websites across three sectors, and one of those is manufacturing.

Together they produced a short paper with their findings – The Double X Factor – Manufacturing Industry Websites.

Worth a read here! UX-CX-report-Manufacturing

Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education unveil plan for world class and unified skills system.

To compete and thrive on the world stage, the nation needs a high-skilled and adaptable workforce backed by training that delivers what employers need right across the board.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) is uniquely placed to deliver on that, given our success with harnessing the expertise of thousands of supportive employers to shape the new generation of fantastic apprenticeships and T Levels.

The Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, which is currently progressing through parliament, is a huge endorsement set to extend our influence right across technical education. It will allow us to unite the skills system and meet an even broader variety of skills needs.

The Institute’s new ‘Employer Centred – Future Facing’ strategic plan sets out our key priorities for making this happen through to 2024, which are:

1. Delivering for employers: The Institute is unashamedly employer led because only they know what training is really needed to fill the nation’s skills gaps and support learners into long and successful careers. We will:

• Implement forward-looking and employer-led strategic plans for each of our 15 occupational routes, covering the full spectrum of sectors and industries across the economy.
• Review how all larger and smaller employers support our work, capitalising on digital solutions to streamline their involvement and maximise insights.
• Create authoritative knowledge about future skills needs, for example supporting digital innovations and the drive to net zero carbon emissions.
• Make it far easier for learners from all backgrounds to progress from entry right up to degree level training, supporting the economy’s broad skills needs.

2. Building a more integrated skills system: We will create a single technical education system that drives up quality and meets the skills needs of all our nation’s employers and learners. We will:

• Support the Skills & Post-16 Education Bill into law. If approved, this will grant new functions to the Institute, including approval of most post-16 qualifications. Everything will follow the same employer-defined training requirements set out in our occupational standards.
• Chart all technical education onto the same occupational maps, which must be accessible and easy to use for employers, learners, careers advisors, awarding organisations, educators and others.
• Ensure that apprenticeships and other technical qualifications are sufficiently adaptable to support the widest possible uptake and use, for instance to deliver regional and social agendas.

3. Securing continuous improvement: The Institute is always prepared to listen and learn. We have shown that we can adapt and deliver quickly, through launching T Levels and providing over 130 flexibilities that supported apprenticeships through the COVID-19 pandemic. We will build from this by:

• Introducing a long-term assurance model that supports the delivery of improved quality by all.
• Delivering a directory of industry experts to secure the employers’ voice in the external quality assurance of assessments.
• Promoting a continuous improvement philosophy and new approaches to ensure all our customers have good experiences with the Institute.

Download the full strategy.

Internationalisation Fund now open for businesses in England

The Department for International Trade has launched its new Internationalisation Fund for eligible businesses in England.

Match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £9,000 will be available for future activity (subject to eligibility and availability).

To secure a grant, you will need to fund a proportion of your costs yourself. This varies according to where your business is based and will be either 40 or 50% of the total cost.

The fund can be used to support areas including (but not exclusively limited to):

• Market research
• IP advice
• Translation services
• International social media/SEO
• Trade fairs (where no TAP funding is available)
• Independent market visits
• Consultancy and other international commercial services

Is your business eligible?

• The company must be based in England
• The company must be a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) with up to 250 employees
• No more than 25% of the business is owned by an enterprise which is not a SME
• Annual turnover does not exceed €50 million or annual balance sheet does not exceed €43 million

The fund is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Intro to Legitimate Leadership – Half day Session – 12th May 2022

Legitimate Leadership are running a half-day Intro Session in Plymouth on the 12th May 2022 asking the question “Why Do We Willingly Follow Some
Leaders And Not Others?”

View the Flyer for the Workshop here: Legitimate Leadership – Half Day Event 12052022

More about Legitimate Leadership

Manufacturing is complex and difficult. Our licence to run the factory is predicated on safety, quality, delivery and cost. Too often we rely on machinery, process and control to ensure we run a tight ship. Yet it is our people who define whether those products leave the factory on time, at the right standards of quality and produced in a safe and sustainable way.

Legitimate leaders create a willingness in their people to pursue the goals of the business, to go the extra mile when the chips are down. Legitimate leaders create a workplace that buzzes, you can feel the pace, you can see the initiative. Legitimate leaders create leaders.

This collection of characteristics can be summarised as a shift from taking to giving at work. All things being equal a motivated and inspired group will significantly outperform their uninspired and demotivated mirror image.

We in Legitimate Leadership work with you to create the conditions where this transformation can take place. We help you to grow your leaders into people who can cultivate those around them to deliver outstanding results, without resulting to suffocating controls. We have done this successfully for over 30 years in more than 300 diverse organisations, all over the world in many different cultures.

Currently our UK team are enabling leaders from the front line to the C-suite in Babcock’s Devonport dockyard, Harrison Packaging, Johnson Matthey and TKE Access. Do you need to improve that safety record, bump up that yield or reduce the number of employee relations cases at your site? If so then it’s time to find out more about how to cultivate willingness and loyalty in your people – managers progress the work, leaders progress the people.

When leaders at every level of the organisation have won the willingness and loyalty of their people, when trust and collaboration between people is high, the only result is excellence. Get in touch with us now so we can get to work.

Introduction to University of Plymouth’s PMCN project

Over the past 18 months, the University of Plymouth has invested more than £1.7million to enhance our Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC).

The PEMC has expanded into new premises at the heart of the city centre campus and populated it with the latest cutting edge technology, doubling the number of microscopes from four to eight.

Our electron microscopy technology enables particles to be viewed at greater than one million times their actual size, meaning technicians can examine items not visible to the human eye in great detail.

Electron Microscopy can be used to image and analyse a range of solid materials, often non-destructively, at increasingly high magnification in both 2D and 3D. Whether it is fatigue or failure analysis, contamination identification, new materials development, or materials characterisation, electron microscopy may be able to provide an answer.

The Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network Project  has secured EU funding to provide free access to small and medium registered enterprises within Devon and across the UK until March 2023, and reduced-cost access for large enterprises too.

This funding will allow unrivalled access to state of the art instrumentation to help develop business and increase collaboration between the industrial and academic environment. Previous support has focused on new and improved dairy products for Langage Farm, developing new coatings for industry in support of patent applications with South West Metal Finishing, andfatigue and failure analysis for when things go wrong.

PEMC has a strong track-record of working with businesses great and small including 50+ years of industrial partnership. We have worked with large, multinational names, as well as hundreds of micro and small enterprises right here in Devon, aiming to provide  free access to leading technology that would otherwise be out of reach.

Our dedicated team of technical specialists are on hand to expertly advise on the use of electron microscopy within your business or industry, no matter which industry that may be.

If you have ever wondered if scientific analysis may help improve your product or increase efficiency within your business, or if you wish to do fatigue or competitor testing  ,please get in touch with either Jayne Stanyer or myself to discuss how you can benefit from this fully funded project .

Please find out more with our PDF poster here: PMCN  and PDF presentation here: PEMC_AvailableTechniques

Kind regards

Patricia Monaghan

Business Engagement – Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network (PMCN)

Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre

Faculty of Science and Engineering

University of Plymouth

Drake Circus

Plymouth

PL4 8AA

M: 075 77 99 5913

E: patricia.monaghan@plymouth.ac.uk

W: PMCN

*My working days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

PMCN

Invitation to Participate in Low Carbon Research Project Investigating Environmental Conditions in Factories

This email below came into the PMG Office. The study is connected to the Low Carbon Devon initiative with a view to support businesses with the following:

Dear Plymouth Manufacturers

I was wondering if you would be able to help me with the following. I am working on a research project investigating the thermal comfort of workers in factories. It involves monitoring the indoor environmental conditions of the factory with non-intrusive sensors (temperature, humidity, air quality, light, etc) and some physiologic variables of the workers (heart rate, body temperature, etc) by means of a wearable watch. Overall, it is a non-intrusive experimentation and has no added costs to the company. The results can help companies to better understand the environmental conditions of their factories and the PPE/clothing requirements to improve workers’ comfort, wellbeing and productivity.

We are looking for manufacturing companies in Plymouth that would be interested in allowing us to run this experimentation (of around 2 weeks).

I was wondering if you had a direct contact with any of the manufacturing companies in Plymouth?  Please feel free to circulate this email and my contact details.

Thanks for your help.

Best,Alba

Dr Alba Fuertes

Associate Professor in Construction Engineering and Management

Programme Leader

Built Environment, Roland Levinsky Building 302, Plymouth University, PL4 8AA, UK

( +44 (0)1752 585196 | * alba.fuertes@plymouth.ac.uk| 8 staff webpage

Invitation to Register Interest in SWMAS Make it Net Zero Programme

Join in with Jeremiah’s Journey Charity Events 2022!

Dear PMG

My name is John Naismith, I work for Jeremiah’s Journey. Many of your network have supported us in our work over the years. Hopefully you will have seen some of the recent social media posts that have gone out around our upcoming events.

We are hosting our first Charity Golf Day at Boringdon Park Golf Club, Plympton on Wednesday 11^th May and we are now actively selling tickets for the day and seeking sponsorship of the event? Entry is £200 for a team of four. For this, in addition to their round of golf, players will get a bacon butty and coffee on arrival and a two course dinner on completion of their round. There are men’s and women’s prizes as well as a raffle and other competitions for those taking part. Sponsorship opportunities for the day start with individual hole sponsorships at £50 per hole right up to headline sponsor (we shamelessly promote businesses sponsoring us).

We are also asking any sailors that might be considering taking part in the Eddystone Charity Sailing Pursuit if they would consider Jeremiah’s Journey as their charity for the event this year.

Finally we jointly hosting a Glitz and Glamour Charity Ball with Plymouth YMCA at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday 2^nd July. There will be a live band, DJ and three course dinner with welcome drinks on arrival. Tickets for the ball are £55 each or £500 for a table of ten.

If anyone would like to speak to me about our events, whether that be taking part or looking for a sponsorship opportunity, or any other aspect of our work such as having Jeremiah’s Journey as a charity of the year or joining our Follow the Bear campaign my contact information is below.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email.

Warm regards

John

John Naismith (he/him)

Corporate Events Fundraiser & Volunteer Co-ordinator

Join Plymouth’s largest business platform for free and access over £750m of opportunities

Businesses across Plymouth are being urged to sign up to a new network where they can access tenders, invitations to quote and procurement opportunities as well as easily being able to find local suppliers – all for free!

Find It In Plymouth is a free platform which is designed to bring buyers and suppliers closer together and boost the local supply chain here in Britain’s Ocean City.

Commissioned by Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Babcock and Plymouth City Council with the support and commitment to local suppliers from organisations across the city, it has been created especially for businesses who trade in Plymouth and will give you access to more than £750 million worth of procurement opportunities from some of the city’s biggest organisations.

Find out more and register here: https://www.finditinplymouth.co.uk/

Karen Friendship, MD at Aldermans, appointed as new PMG Chair

It is with great delight that we can announce our new Chair of the PMG is Karen Friendship, MD at Alderman Tooling.

Karen, having served as Vice Chair for the last two years, has taken over the role from Mike Snaith, (Chief Operating Officer at Plessey).

Of course, before we introduce Karen, we must give our thanks to Mike who, despite having an incredibly busy “day” job has been a steadfast Chair to the group over what could be described as a testing time for everyone in all industry sectors. The PMG secretary, Steve Gerry has said “We are hugely grateful to Mike for his leadership over the last two years. Amongst several notable activities, we must highlight the Partnership Bond that Mike helped develop with the University of Plymouth – our relationship with such a key educational establishment in the region has grown in strength during this time and we thank Mike for his support with this. While the pandemic has brought challenges to everyone, Mike has taken a steady approach to chairing our group and we would like to convey our immense appreciation of his time and dedication to the PMG throughout this period.”

So now to our new Chair! Karen is well-known to the PMG and its connections as Karen has been Chair of the “PMG Network” group of SME Manufacturers since its inception. During her tenure she encouraged smaller member companies to collaborate, enabling them to access training and development that would normally be the preserve of larger entities.

Technology and engineering has always had a strong pull for Karen from a young age and she followed this passion to Bristol University to study Civil Engineering. Whilst pursuing this career, she spent a brief working holiday at the business founded by her father, Bill Alderman, and was drawn into the work of metal fabrication. Appointed as MD of Alderman Tooling in 2005, Karen focussed on developing the business by analysing markets, winning new contracts and expanding services through investment in the latest machinery. The accolades followed, including being named among the UK’s Top 50 Women in Engineering in 2018. Karen remains a committed STEM ambassador and mentor, in demand locally and nationally as a panellist, speaker and advocate for the manufacturing sector.

We chatted with Karen as she approached her first full month as Chair and asked what the PMG meant to her and why it was important for her to take on this role.

Karen said “The Plymouth manufacturing community is a significant, vital part of our local economy; but its unique strength lies in collaboration. Across the PMG we see not only the enrichment of supply chain partnerships, but also knowledge sharing, best practice development, promotion of skills, and a strong voice for the manufacturing sector. PMG has been a huge benefit and encouragement to me, and has created opportunities for Aldermans and our team members too. It is a pleasure and honour to chair this influential group into its next phase, and I look forward to us supporting each other through the challenges and opportunties ahead.”

Karen is pictured above with Steve Gerry, the PMG Secretary at the PMG’s 40th anniversary event. Karen thoughts about her new role really describe the essence of the PMG and we are looking forward to working with Karen as we take the PMG forward, strengthening our sector in the ever evolving economic landscape.

Last chance to book your stand for the University of Plymouth Careers Fair

University of Plymouth – South West Local Opportunities Fair

Wednesday 23^rd February 2022 | 11:00 – 15:00

University Campus (in-person event)

BOOKING DEADLINE – 9th February 2022

The University of Plymouth’s Careers Service are pleased to invite regional organisations, particularly SMEs, to our inaugural South West Local Opportunities Fair to showcase internship, placement and graduate roles.

The University attracts many of its students from the South West and a vast majority of these wish to remain and work in the area post-graduation. With SMEs accounting for nearly 49% of the regions employment (Gradsouthwest, 2018), this event aims to highlight the benefits of working with a smaller organisation.

This fair is for you, if:

• You are recruiting students and graduates into work experience, internship, placement or graduate roles starting in 2022
• You wish to raise awareness of your organisation and its’ opportunities amongst our student population

This event is most suitable to:

• SMEs (Small or Medium-sized Enterprises) based within the South West, or
• Larger/national organisations that will have opportunities based within the South West

Please note that for the purposes of this event we are defining the South West to include the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Spaces are limited and a small fee (starting from £60+VAT) is required to secure you space.

Subject to current COVID-19 restrictions it is planned for this event to take place in person, however a virtual/online offer will also be available in the occurrence that this cannot go ahead.

For information on how to book and for further details, please contact the University’s Employer Engagement Team on 01752 587729 or employers.careers@plymouth.ac.uk

Latest Building Brands Newsletter – marketing insights, updates and links

And now you can read the Building Brands White Papers – this inaugural paper is about Positive Impact Marketing written by Program – you can download it here:

White Paper on Positive Impact Marketing

Latest Business News & Updates from Plymouth City Council Economic Development Service

Plymouth City Council’s Economic Development Service creates a regular E-Newsletter with the latest business news and useful updates for business across Plymouth and beyond.

You’ll find an overview of the latest business advice and guidance, as well as events and funding streams.

And we post the link to the latest e-newsletter is here;

Late August 2024

You can sign up to receive your own PCC Business News Updates here: Subscribe to PCC Plymouth Business News

Latest Manufacturing Barometer leads SWMAS to launch Business Transformation Programme

Latest News from BEIS – 15th March

BEIS Business Bulletin 15 03 21

Latest News from BEIS – 29th March

Business Bulletin

Brexit: New rules are here

Issue 78: 29 March 2021

“The UK has left the EU, and the Brexit transition period has ended. There are new rules for businesses doing business with the EU from 1 January, and you need to take action now. All information on Brexit can be found at www.gov.uk/transition. This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for businesses.”

Download the latest bulletin here:

Latest news on Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy in Plymouth

Two pieces of news regarding microscopy facilities in Plymouth.

Firstly, Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) at the University of Plymouth has secured EU funding to provide free access to small and medium enterprises within Devon and across the UK until June 2023, and reduced-cost access for large enterprises too.

This funding will allow unrivalled access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, including three brand new instruments in 2022, to help develop business and increase collaboration between the industrial and academic environment.

Join the PEMC team to find out exactly how this new round of funding can help your business now and in the future.

This launch of our successful ERDF funded project, Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network (PMCN) follows on from our extremely successful Plymouth Materials Characterisation Project (PMCP), which concluded last year.

This free online event will introduce PEMC, our facilities and team, and explain the new project in more detail; how exactly can businesses benefit from this funding? How can businesses get involved?

There will also be a live Q&A session delivered by our technical specialists where you can ask anything you might want to regarding the use of electron microscopy for industry on the following topics:

• Materials or Engineering
• Biological, Medical, or Marine Science
• Geological or Environmental Investigations
• Food Science
• Space or Aerospace

Questions for the Q&A can be submitted here before the event, but live questions will also be taken on the day.

Target Audience

• Devon-based companies looking to develop new products – particularly those who work in food, advanced engineering, photonics, microelectronics, manufacturing, composites, robotics or new energy.
• Larger companies in the same sectors. Business groups (e.g. Plymouth Manufacturers Group, North Devon Manufacturing Association, Hi Tech Forum)
• Business support organisations (e.g. HOTSW LEP Growth Hub)

There are no restrictions on attendance. Please book your place online, or by contacting either Tom O’Hanlon or Jen Mitchell.

Also, while writing …

On a related topic, the University of Plymouth is in the process of applying for an EPSRC equipment grant (deadline 7 Sep) for a specialised Nanosurf Atomic Force Microscope (details – https://www.stevegerryconsulting.co.uk/app/download/5818580059/Nanosurf-DriveAFM-Brochure.pdf ). They are interested to hear if anyone else could potentially make use of this piece of equipment in the future (if the bid were to be successful)?

They ideally need to demonstrate in the application that the equipment will be used extensively by different groups and external agencies (beyond academics within the university), hence my email!

Here is a brief description of the equipment and please see brochure with further info:

The Nanosurf Atomic Force Microscope has extensive range of capabilities for applications in material and life sciences, nanotechnology etc. On imaging mode the AFM can map surface topography, characterise electrical, magnetic, mechanical material properties. For life sciences the instrument can image down to atomic scale, i.e image DNA strands, molecules, proteins, cells and viruses. There is even a possibility to deposit such biomaterials locally or at a specific location on a substrate. Therefore, it is a very versatile instrument with a very broad range of applications.

If this could be of benefit to you/your business in the future, please contact Ewa Thompson , who would be very happy to provide more details and keep you updated on the grant application.

Latest Newsletters Received into the PMG Office

Newsletters received into the PMG Office in early 2023 will be updated here

Engineering UK March Newsletter

The Manufacturer Smart Factory Digital Briefing

South West Skills March Newsletter

Heart of the South West Growth Hub March Newsletter

Latest SWMAS Manufacturing Barometer Results

With predictions for future sales and profits at the highest they’ve been since January 2020, this quarter’s Manufacturing Barometer reveals heightened optimism from a number of SME manufacturers.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gxYV3Wf

Latest Virtual Internship offering from the Plymouth Business School for PMG members

Hi there PMG

I wanted to share news of our latest Virtual Internship offering before the funding gets allocated.

Following two successful rounds of Virtual Internships, we’ve secured additional funding through Plymouth Business School and are about to go live with another call for projects.

Our Virtual Internship scheme sees current students and recent graduates from Plymouth Business School working on short term projects to benefit local businesses and organisations, whilst improving their own employability. Interns working on projects are paid at a standard rate of £13/hour, up to a maximum of 38 hours per project (£494), which is funded by Plymouth Business School and supported by iMayflower. Example projects include:

• Business Development Intern: To conduct market research to identify key prospects within a defined market
• Communications Intern: To assess existing and draft new promotional content
• Customer Service Intern: To critically evaluate current customer service delivery
• Evaluation Intern: To conduct an impact study assessing the effect of organisational activity
• Events Intern: To support with planning and management of a specific event, or work with you to develop plans for COVID era events
• Fundraising Intern: To identify funding sources, draft action plan for achieving funding goals, or focus on bid writing
• HR Intern: To conduct an assessment of Corporate Social Responsibility opportunities, and devise an appropriate plan of activity
• Learning & Development Intern: To create a basic system for monitoring mandatory compliance training
• Marketing Intern: To conduct a strategic review or existing marketing activity suggesting new opportunities
• Operations Intern: To identify improvements in supply chain
• Research Intern: To devise and conduct data collecting projects of either secondary or primary sources
• Social Media Intern: To analyse social media opportunities and create content
• Sustainability Intern: To conduct an audit/plan of sustainability activity

We will be accepting project proposals on the attached form from Monday 23rd August and are able to support a maximum of 40 individual projects. Funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis and will be withdrawn when the maximum allocation has been reached.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Sarah Holcombe

Plymouth Business School

University of Plymouth

sarah.holcombe@plymouth.ac.uk

Launch of British Business Bank’s £200m South West Investment Fund empowers small businesses across the region

The British Business Bank has launched the £200m South West Investment Fund aimed at fostering growth and prosperity for small businesses across the South West of England.

Levelling-Up & County Deals – What does this all mean?

The decision by Devon County Council to bid for a “County Deal” has significant business implications and needs to be understood as part of the National Recovery Programme.

Here’s an interesting article written by Tim Jones, Chairman, South West Business Council and friend of the PMG.

You can access it – here

Livewell SW launches new Wellbeing Training offer.

Livewell is excited to announce their new training package which aims to provide individuals with awareness around mental health and wellbeing, along with useful contacts to signpost others for support and advice.

View the Livewell WellBeing Training Flyer here

Living and Working in Plymouth Publication

Located at the heart of the South West, Plymouth is a city by the sea with so much to offer. With an amazing quality of life, stunning waterfront location, vibrant city centre and fascinating maritime history, there is quite simply nowhere better to live, work and play than Britain’s Ocean City.

Plymouth City Council’s Invest Plymouth team has recently updated their Living and Working publication – access it on-line – here

Local manufacturing and construction apprentices’ achievements celebrated

Low Carbon Devon – Latest Information

Click here for the Low Carbon Devon Flyer

Low Carbon Devon provides free support to Organisations
and Enterprises who want to:

• Reduce their carbon emissions through energy efficiency in buildings
• Reduce energy bills using existing building data and improving occupants’ behaviour
• Develop energy visualisation tools to monitor energy use
• Improve indoor environment quality to increase staff productivity and satisfaction

Potential Benefits to Enterprises/Organisations

• Reducing energy consumption and saving on energy bills
• Changing occupants’ behaviour
• Improving indoor quality and increasing occupants’ productivity

Contact Dr Sepideh Korsavi, Industrial Research Fellow in Energy Efficiency in Buildings to find out how Low Carbon Devon can help your business meet net zero targets.

Email: sepideh.korsavi@Plymouth.ac.uk
www.Plymouth.ac.uk/low-carbon-devon
LinkedIn: @LowCarbonDevon

LATEST NEWS – JUST IN!

Devon Net Zero Innovation Fund – Round 2 – applications open Monday 31 January 2022

• Are you an academic working with a business to develop a new low carbon technology or service?
• Are you a business looking to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Green Industrial Revolution and a low carbon future?

The Devon Net Zero Innovation Fund (DNZIF) enables collaborations between Devon enterprises and University of Plymouth academic researchers. These collaborations will help to accelerate the development of new products or services in any sector to lead to a reduction in carbon emissions. There is funding available of up to £7,500 per enterprise to spend on researcher time and related consumables.

The opportunity aligns with the UK Government’s Build Back Better strategy as the UK shifts towards a net zero carbon future; recognising that working towards net zero is a major opportunity for economic growth and job creation across the UK and particularly in Devon with its rich natural capital and innovative technologies. Round 1 of the DNZIF in 2021 resulted in our academics collaborating with Devon companies in the following areas:

• developing cost effective ways to improve the efficiency of photovoltaics
• an analysis of different Devon soil types and their suitability in cob building materials
• development of nutritional and therapeutic products from agricultural by-products
• development of innovative and disruptive carbon neutral packaging solutions
• seagrass related research and innovation

Applications for Round 2 will open from Monday 31st January. From this date our webpage will be updated with further information, details of how to apply and our contact details so we can help with any questions.

Closing date: Thursday 31 March 2022

Low Carbon Devon showcases new film about their Internship and Leadership Programme

The team at Low Carbon Devon are excited for PMG Members to see their new film about the Future Shift: Low Carbon Devon Internship and Leadership programme.

The team explained that they are particularly proud of this part of the Low Carbon Devon project which is set to provide an intern for a low carbon project in around 30 Devon businesses. From lowering carbon footprints in care homes to the design of clothes made from recycled plastic, Devon small and medium sized enterprises are working hard to reduce their carbon emissions.

To find out more watch the 2 minute film on You Tube!

100% of both the hosts and the interns recommend the programme. The interns’ career prospects have been given a boost and many are now employed in related role. The current cohort have just started their 3 month internships and the next cohort runs from October – December, details to be announced in August on the programme webpage.

The Internship and Leadership Programme background:

The Low Carbon Devon Internship and Leadership Programme is a 3-month fully-funded internship opportunity placing current students or recent graduates of the University of Plymouth within Devon SMEs to work on a low carbon project.

The internship programme provides invaluable support for Devon-based enterprises combined with practical work experience and leadership development for current students and recent graduates. This allows local organisations to deliver a low carbon project, develop or implement a new low carbon idea, product or service, and/or reduce their carbon emissions.

The innovative leadership component comprises of change-leadership and personal development workshops for the interns to enable them to become future-fit as change-makers, leaders and role models of a low carbon society. These weekly 1-hour workshops focus on sustainability leadership and developing the skills and tools combined with the inspiration, confidence and ability to facilitate compassionate and proactive change to tackle the climate challenge. They are framed using the Plymouth Compass leadership tool.

About Low Carbon Devon

 The Sustainability Hub: Low Carbon Devon project provides an exciting new catalyst for low-carbon economic growth in Devon. Supported by an investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the £2.6m project, finishing in 2023, supports Devon-based organisations to access research, business support, and engage with the University of Plymouth around the low-carbon agenda. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/sustainability-hub-low-carbon-devon

For more information please contact:
rosie.mascall@plymouth.ac.uk

Magma Moulding achieves B Corp Accreditation

A proud world first for Magma Moulding 🌍

Magma Moulding is delighted to announce that the company has obtained accreditation as B Corp™ – the first plastic manufacturer in the world to do so.

PMG is ecstatic for our member company – huge well done all – we look forward to hearing more about this journey in the near future.

Here’s what the Magma team had to say about their achievement;

“When Kieran Donovan and Al Zucker joined Magma, we knew that sustainability would be a key part of our growth plans.  Our fantastic team had already built a strong foundation and we chose BCorp to demonstrate our credentials as it is the most comprehensive and detailed accreditation, covering Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers across 18 of the UN Sustainable Development goals

An especially big shout out to Zoe Sharland and Karen James for the hard work putting together everything needed for our assessment and accreditation.

This is great news for our customers too. You can have confidence that your onshore supply partner meets the highest ethical standards, with none of the risks posed by more challenging countries.”

Make UK Diversity, Equality & Inclusion and Apprenticeship Survey

Research tells us that diverse businesses outperform others. Companies in the top-quartile for ethnic/cultural diversity on executive teams are 33% more likely to have industry-leading profitability. By 2025, 75% of the global workforce will be made up of millennials who want their workplace to be inclusive. Make UK wants to ensure that no manufacturing business is left behind. We are surveying manufacturers to determine what the average manufacturing business looks like and what, if any, measures companies are taking to encourage greater diversity within their business. This will form the basis of a report that will showcase best practice and offer support to those companies that want to pursue the diversity agenda further in their business. This survey also includes questions on apprenticeships. With the number of apprenticeship starts falling we want to understand what will encourage manufacturers to recruit more apprentices. All responses are completely anonymous.

Please complete the survey – here

MAKE UK Manufacturing Outlook 2021 Quarter 1

Make UK’s Q1 2021 Manufacturing Outlook Report, in partnership with BDO, updates on the tumultuous year that was 2020 which saw manufacturers deal with both the COVID-19 pandemic and leaving the EU. 

Download the Report here;

Make-UK-BDO-Manufacturing-Outlook-Q1-2021

MAKE UK shares their 2023 Insight, Influence and Impact Report

FROM MAKE UK

We are delighted to share our work and the impact that Make UK has had throughout 2023 – which proved to be a year of opportunities but also challenges for UK manufacturers.

This year, we were determined to champion the sector’s central role in creating good quality jobs, transitioning to a net zero economy, producing goods and services to keep the economy moving and building resilience. And we are proud to say we succeeded.

By involving key leaders and participating in the influential taskforces established by the government and other policymakers, we secured a major pledge from the Chancellor that Advanced Manufacturing would be one of the Government’s strategic growth sectors of the economy.

Since then, we have secured further significant wins for our members and the wider industry. Most recently, and most notably, during the Autumn Statement when we secured a £4.5 billion boost for clean growth in manufacturing through the Advanced Manufacturing Plan.

Our hard work also led to Jeremy Hunt making announcements on:

• Capital allowances on qualifying plant and machinery investments being made permanent.
• The roll-out of Made Smarter to the remaining four regions.
• £50m additional funding for apprenticeships to increase the availability of apprentices in engineering over the next two years.

Underlying the pivotal role we played, Make UK was mentioned twice at the despatch box during the Chancellor’s speech, enhancing our profile, and cementing our role as the go-to authority for manufacturing growth.

Our evidence-based approach, taking the insight and intelligence provided by our members through approximately 60 surveys, 35 policy papers, 70 high-level engagements, and collaboration through 50 advisory boards, also saw us achieve many other major policy wins, including:

• The removal of Retained EU Law sunset clause.
• The extension of the CE market recognition for businesses indefinitely, beyond December 2024.
• Rejoining the Horizon Europe programme.

Through our targeted 2023 campaigns, we secured remarkable policy wins, creating a future pathway where UK manufacturing stands resilient and poised for unprecedented growth.

Read it here

Make UK Impact Report 2023 Final

Make UK’s Decarbonising Manufacturing Survey

Complete the Survey here

Make UK’s latest policy paper – Cyber Resilience: The Last Line of Defence

The Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly pushed many businesses, including manufacturers, at speed towards remote ways of working. For office staff working at home is the new norm, accessing often sensitive files on hastily purchased laptops, while production staff have had to adjust to remote monitoring and production and virtual commissioning using mobile apps.

Our latest figures show that just under half of manufacturers have been the victim of cyber-crime in the last 12 months. Of those companies that experienced an attack, 63% said it cost them up to £5,000 while almost a quarter (22%) revealed a cost to their business of between £5,000-25,000.

The acceleration of digital adoption, primarily by the pandemic, has propelled cyber risk to the forefront of Britain’s boardrooms, with 61% of companies now having a board director responsible for cyber security.

But it is not just the adoption of industrial digital technologies that is bringing cyber-security back into the spotlight. As we move out of lockdown and into the ‘new normal’ it is increasingly clear that the new normal is one that brings with it more hybrid working and greater use of digital tools and technologies. Ensuring manufacturers are cyber-secure is a now not a nice-to-have but a necessity.

Make UK’s latest policy paper – Cyber Resilience: The Last Line of Defence – explores how cyber-crime has impacted the manufacturing industry with the move to remote working and the continued focus on digital adoption. It offers advice to companies from cyber experts as well as considerations to Government on how best support companies in their quest for cyber-skills.

Download available resources – here

Make UK’s Q2 2021 Manufacturing Outlook report, in partnership with BDO

Exactly one year on from the publication of Manufacturing Outlook’s worst results in the survey’s history, the mood music has changed dramatically. In what has recently been a dejected patter of quarters for the industry, manufacturers are now finally able to look to the future with earnest confidence. The industry is certainly not without its challenges, both ongoing and new, but the sector has now demonstrated that it can generate growth despite the still perilous circumstance.

While the industry gets back to work at an unprecedented pace, it does so now more keenly aware, and prepared, to mitigate the impacts of the trials that the rest of the year has poised to test it with. These trials, which are by no means mutually exclusive, form the basis for somewhat of a triple-threat to the sustainability of the recovery that is being exhibited within the manufacturing sector in this second quarter.

The first of these antagonising musketeers comes in the form of the novel Trade Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and the EU. The onus of new protocols and paperwork wreaked havoc for British exporters in the first quarter of the year, reflected in the 40% drop in exports to the EU in January. Since then, businesses have overcome many of the hurdles imposed on them by this new arrangement, with this report detailing significant export improvements compared to the start of the year. Nevertheless, snagging issues continue to emerge with customers and partners in the EU which hamper the speed of trade recovery for the sector.

The second dampener to the industry’s recovery is the ongoing uncertainty generated by unpredictable COVID-19 regulations both here and abroad. While the UK has come leaps and bounds in recent months in terms of the economy reopening, many events critical to the prosperity of UK manufacturing, such as trade shows, struggle to go ahead. This is particularly pronounced in the case of international business travel, where companies and delegates must worry not only about the viability of an event, but also must endure the mercurial travel and quarantine regulations both domestically and abroad.

The third, and perhaps the most prolific of challenges facing the sector lies in supply-chain disruptions. As the international business community enjoys a sudden spike in demand as the economy has sped up faster than expected, so too the strain on these already delicate supply-chains increases. Of course, just prior to this demand spike supply-chains were already significantly stressed owing to COVID-19 related pressures, but now with demand outstripping supply, or rather, the ability to supply in many cases, UK manufacturers are finding that they cannot affordably source inputs for their product, or cannot source inputs at any rate. Supplier delivery lead times are floating at an all-time high, container shipping prices are ballooning, and core inputs are seeing waning availability.

However, despite these obstacles, the manufacturing sector has set off the starting blocks of recovery. The trajectory of which is encouraging, with performance outpacing expectations for the first half of the year. Confidence within the sector is soaring, fuelled by orders and demand across the industry which has been long-missed since the start of the pandemic. Much needed investment expenditure is set to be rendered and employment within the sector looks to expand. The industry is confident that it will be able to overcome the obstacles put before it in the coming year, now equipped with the crisis management ability that it was forced to learn under duress at the inception of the pandemic. It’s with these lessons learned that the sector now has the opportunity before it to build back better, with business resilience and sustainability at its core.

Download the full report – here

Manufacturers explore immersive technology at Devonport Market Hall

On Tuesday 28th September, 2021, the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group and Real Ideas welcomed PMG members and their connections to the Devonport Market Hall to explore and discuss the building’s ‘state of the art’ immersive dome facilities, and the collaborative opportunities in immersive technology and digital fabrication.

Immersive and other modern digital technologies can potentially impact on many aspects of business from new product or factory layout design to product launch.

Immersive technologies are predicted to become a $160 billion market. While much of this demand is consumer-led, the deployment of immersive technology in the manufacturing sector is fast becoming the dominant driver for future growth around the globe. It is vital that UK manufacturers ride the crest of this wave and become early adopters, or risk losing competitive advantage and market share: BMW, for instance, has already incorporated virtual reality into its automobile design process.

The UK is well-placed to make the most of this technology and Plymouth in particular.

Plymouth has been awarded a grant of nearly £3.5 million from the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) to deliver the iMayflower project; one of only five projects in England and the only one in the South West. It’s a three year project that has also raised £2.5 million of match funding from partners – that’s £6M in total.The iMayflower project involves working with partners across the city who are developing digital technology, such as 3-D printing, virtual reality or immersive technology to help the city expand its expertise in advanced manufacturing, robotics and digital making.

The Market Hall is a world-class space for digital innovation and learning situated in the heart of Devonport, Plymouth. The Immersive Dome is the first of its type (15m diameter, 210 degrees over the top, with a flat floor) in Europe. The only other like it in the world can be found at SAT in Montreal, Canada.

In addition to exploring the Devonport based facility, the event attendees heard from a variety of iMayfower partners including the University of Plymouth; the Plymouth College of Art and private sector providers whereafter they divided into small discussion groups to consider collaborative opportunities in more detail. Members also received a twenty-five page iMayflower & PMG Prospectus which can also be viewed here

Steve Gerry, Secretary of the PMG, said “After a gap of more than eighteen months, it was great to have the PMG members meeting together, once again, in person. Thank you to members of the iMayflower project for what was a very informative and potentially beneficial two hour event.”

For more information, visit these sites:

The Immersive Dome, Devonport – https://tinyurl.com/crzt4y4a

University of Plymouth – https://tinyurl.com/3n3hf7z2

Plymouth College of Art

https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/posts/plymouth-becomes-the-uks-first-city-to-join-fab-city-network

For a report by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Visualisation and VR Forum.

https://www.amrc.co.uk/files/document/200/1540805826_HVM_CATAPULT_IMM_TECH_DL2.pdf

Manufacturers herald new digital age with tech investment set to increase in 2023

Even with supply chain challenges and the rising costs of energy and components, the UK’s manufacturing industries will invest more cash into transformative technologies in the next 12 months, paving the way for faster adoption of digital solutions by industry in order to retain a competitive edge, according to new research from Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology.

Read the full article on TheManufacturer.com here.

Manufacturing input prices rise at 30-year survey record rate as supply chain pressures remain intense

UK manufacturers continued to face a challenging operating environment in November, as severely stretched supply chains disrupted production schedules and drove up input prices to the greatest extent in the 30-year survey history.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) rose to a three-month high of 58.1 in November, up from 57.8 in October. All five of the PMI components had a positive influence, as production, new orders, employment and stocks of purchases rose and supplier lead times lengthened. Output increased for the eighteenth month running in November, with the rate of expansion accelerating slightly from October’s eight-month low. Companies reported that improved new work intakes – especially from the domestic market – and efforts to build safety stocks supported increased output. There remained widespread mention of input and labour shortages stymieing efforts to raise production, however. This led to existing stocks being depleted to satisfy customer orders.

The strain on supply chains also led to further substantial lengthening of average vendor lead times. Resulting shortages of components and commodities, combined with input demand outstripping supply, led to a survey record increase in average purchase prices. Around three-quarters of manufacturers reported a rise, compared to less than 1% seeing a fall. Cost and market pressures also affected selling UK Manufacturing PMI at 58.1 in November (3-month high) Output growth edges higher as domestic order intakes rise New export business falls for third straight month Data were collected 12-25 November 2021. prices, which rose at a rate close to October’s series-record.

November saw inflows of new business increase for the tenth straight month, underpinned by stronger UK market conditions, returning customers and rising client confidence. The trend in new export orders worsened, however, with intakes dropping for the third month in a row. There were reports of weaker demand from China, disruption to trade with the EU (in part due to ongoing Brexit complications) and the cancellation of some orders due to extended lead times.

Capacity also remained stretched at UK manufacturers during November, with backlogs of work rising to a near record extent. This supported further job creation in the sector, with employment rising for the eleventh month running and at the quickest pace since August.

Purchasing activity rose for the tenth month running in November. Increased input buying reflected rising production needs, safety stock building and efforts (including over-purchasing) to minimise supply chain delays. Input stock holdings expanded solidly as a result.

UK manufacturers maintained a positive outlook during November, with business optimism rising to a three-month high. Over 63% of companies expected output to rise over the coming 12 months, with only 6% forecasting a decline. Positive sentiment was linked to COVID recovery, economic growth, new product launches, planned marketing campaigns, business expansions, diversification, innovation and reduced supply chain stress.

The original article can be read – here

Manufacturing PMI at near-record high in April but sector still beset by supply-chain disruptions

April saw a further acceleration in the rate of expansion of the UK manufacturing sector. Growth of output and new orders were both among the best seen over the past seven years, leading to a solid increase in employment. The sector remained beset by supply-chain delays and input shortages, however, which contributed to increased purchasing costs and record selling price inflation.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) rose to 60.9 in April, up from 58.9 in March and above the earlier flash estimate of 60.7. The latest reading is the highest since July 1994’s record high (61.0).

Manufacturing production increased for the eleventh successive month in April. Output growth was attributed to a loosening of lockdown restrictions, improved demand and rising backlogs of work.

Underpinning the latest robust expansion of production was a similarly marked improvement in intakes of new business. Total new orders rose for the third straight month, largely due to a further revival of domestic market conditions. Stronger client confidence, the re-opening of parts of the economy and improving global market conditions all contributed to sales growth.

Although new export business also rose in April, the growth rate was weak in comparison to that registered for total new orders. Companies reported improved new work intakes from several trading partners, including mainland Europe, the US, China and South-East Asia. Large-sized manufacturers saw a UK Manufacturing PMI at 60.9 in April (321-month high) Production and new order growth strengthen Output prices rise at record pace Data were collected 12-26 April 2021. substantial expansion in new export order intakes, compared to only a marginal rise at small-sized firms.

Read the full article by IHS Markit / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI® – here

Manufacturing recovery continues despite challenges – Make UK/BDO survey

Make UK published their Q2 Manufacturing Outlook Report showcasing that manufacturing recovery continues despite challenges. Britain’s manufacturers are seeing a continued rebound in activity in the second quarter of the year, easing fears of a significant recession for the sector. See the full copy of the report here; Make UK Manufacturing Outlook 2023 Q2

Aerospace and Electronics sectors are driving growth

Key findings:

• Output and total order performance similar to last quarter
• UK and export orders remain steady, but balance between the two even.
• Margins steadily becoming positive, prices cooled from peak but still high
• Labour demand still strong, pay settlements remain elevated
• Investment intentions fail to continue growth seen last quarter
• Manufacturing output growth for 2023 forecast -0.3%, and 0.8% for 2024

 Britain’s manufacturers are seeing a continued rebound in activity in the second quarter of the year, easing fears of a significant recession for the sector according to a survey published today by Make UK and accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.

The findings in the Make UK/BDO Q2 Manufacturing Outlook survey show a continued positive picture with the improvement being driven by strong demand in the Other Transport and Electronic sectors in particular, with the balance of output in Other Transport (largely aerospace) extremely strong at +82%.

According to Make UK and BDO, this reflects continued recovery in the aerospace sector with the increase in passenger miles, together with a spate of large orders for new aircraft over the last year. Furthermore, strong balances for electronics are becoming embedded as companies invest in digitalisation and extra capacity to counter labour shortages. These investments are now translating into consistently strong balances for the South East where electronics is the second largest industrial sector in the region.

However, despite conditions remaining positive, Make UK is still forecasting a slight contraction for manufacturing in 2023, although the picture remains far better than the significant contraction Make UK was forecasting at the end of last year and in Q1.

James Brougham, Senior Economist at Make UK, said:

“Manufacturers are seeing a gradually improving picture but the word ‘gradually’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting. However, companies are at least seeing a relative period of stability after the political and economic turmoil of the last few years when they have spent most of their time firefighting. Substantial challenges still remain, however, and so long as there is an absence of an overarching industrial strategy growth prospects will remain anaemic at best.”

Richard Austin, BDO’s National Head of Manufacturing, says the burden on manufacturers still lays heavy, adding:

“Despite the first half of the year seeing some pressures easing, there are longer-term systemic challenges in the UK market, with built-in inefficiencies that need to be addressed urgently in order for UK manufacturing to effectively plan and invest.  “Supply chain pressures, for example, are an endemic issue for the businesses we talk to, particularly medium-sized firms. They are facing continued disruption and increased costs, at home and abroad, with many choosing to onshore operations but facing major barriers in doing so. These issues cannot be overlooked by policymakers or we run the risk of tepid-at-best growth for UK manufacturing while neighbouring countries outpace us.”

According to the survey, the balance on output increased slightly from Q1 (+24% from +21%) and is expected to remain at a similar level in the next quarter at +22%. Total orders fell slightly to +21% from +28% in Q1 although companies are more optimistic for increased orders in Q3 with a balance of +27%.

In line with this stable picture, UK orders fell slightly to +15% from +20% in Q1 although as with the picture for total orders are expected to pick up in Q3 to +21%. Export orders also saw a rise from +12% to +15%, although companies see a slightly weaker picture in the next quarter at +12%.

The scramble to attract and retain talent also shows no signs of abating, with recruitment intentions remaining stable at +18% (+19% in Q1) improving substantially to +30% in the next quarter. These employment balances are very elevated by historic standards and, apart from the initial quarters of the pandemic, have been at elevated levels since the EU referendum.

Investment intentions, whilst still positive at +10% eased back from the 14% in the first quarter, perhaps reflecting the crossover between the end of the super-deduction scheme and the onset of the benefit from full expensing.

The survey also shows that, in the face of continued skills shortages and strong labour demand, wage growth shows little or no sign of easing with a fifth of pay settlements reached in April at 5% and a further 15% of settlements at 6% or above.

In terms of overall output this year Make UK and BDO are forecasting a contraction of 0.3% although this is a significant improvement from the contraction of -3.3% made in Q1 and the -4.4% forecast at the end of last year. However, Make UK is maintaining its previous forecast for growth of just 0.8% in 2024. UK GDP growth is at 0.4% for 2023 and 1.3% for 2024.

 The survey of 327 companies was conducted between 19 April and 24 May.

Manufacturing upturn continues at end of 2021

The manufacturing sector saw further growth of production, new orders and employment at the end of 2021. Although a slight easing in supply chain delays helped lift output volumes and take some of the heat out of input price increases, logistic disruptions and staff shortages were nonetheless still stymieing the overall pace of expansion.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) rose to 57.9 in December, little-changed from November’s three-month high of 58.1. The PMI has remained above the neutral 50.0 mark for 19 months.

Output rose across the consumer, intermediate and investment goods sectors during December, with the overall pace of expansion improving to a four-month high. Increased output was underpinned by rising intakes of new business, as domestic market conditions continued to strengthen.

The trend in new export business remained negative, however, as inflows of new work from overseas dropped for the fourth month in a row. This mainly reflected a steep decrease at consumer goods producers. In contrast, export demand for UK capital goods rose at the quickest pace since August. Manufacturers indicated that logistic issues, Brexit difficulties and the possibility of further COVID restrictions (at home and overseas) had all hit export demand at the end of the year.

Manufacturing employment increased for the twelfth successive month in December, with the rate of jobs growth staying close to November’s three-month high. Companies Output, new orders and employment all rise New export orders fall for fourth month running Selling price inflation hits fresh record high Data were collected 6-20 December 2021. linked this to meeting improved demand, rising backlogs of work and efforts to address staff shortages. Capacity remained under strain, however. This was highlighted by a further increase in outstanding business, although the pace of expansion in work-in-hand volumes eased sharply to its lowest since February.

Companies maintained a positive outlook at the end of 2021. The majority of firms (63%) forecast that production would increase over the coming 12 months, compared to only 6% anticipating a contraction. Optimism reflected expectations of renewed global economic growth, planned investment and hopes for less disruption caused by COVID-19, Brexit and supply chain issues.

Inflationary pressures remained elevated in December. The rate of increase in factory gate selling prices accelerated to a fresh series-record high, as companies passed on (at least in part) rising costs to their customers.

December saw a further substantial increase in average input prices, with the rate of inflation staying among the steepest seen in the survey history. There were reports of higher costs for chemicals, electronics, energy, food products, metals, timber and wood. Freight, shipping and air transportation costs were also higher, while ongoing supply disruptions, raw material shortages and issues relating to Brexit and COVID-19 also led to higher prices paid.

The full press release can be viewed – here

Meet the Business Export Expert

You are invited to join a FREE interactive business advice workshop.

The ‘Getting Your Business Ready To Sell Overseas’ workshop will be delivered by Emily Lambert, Trade Advisor for the Export Academy South West, Department for International Trade, in partnership with the ‘Meet the Expert’ Business Support Programme and will offer practical advice on getting your business ready to sell overseas and much more. The interactive workshop will cover:

•     The opportunities for British businesses overseas
•     The benefits and barriers of export
•     Health checking your business for export
•     Writing an export strategy
•     Using market research effectively
•     The opportunity to ask questions and receive bespoke advice

 Date: Wednesday 15^th June 2022

Time:  10.30 – 14.00 (including free lunch)

Location:  Oceansgate, Endeavour House, 2 Vivid Approach, Plymouth, PL1 4RW

To find out more and register for the event please go to EVENTBRITE Please feel free to share this event with anyone that would benefit from the support on offer. Please book early to avoid disappointment as spaces for Meet the Expert Workshops are limited.

Meet The Expert – GRANT OFFER – January 2022 – Priority notice

Meet The Expert programme Plymouth wanted to give you priority notice of our Grant Call coming in January 2022.  Access a fixed sum £1000 for external consultancy support.

• Are you an SME or start up business looking for financial support?
• Not sure exactly what you need?

If you are looking for new ways to develop and grow your business, then ‘Meet The Expert’ Business Support Programme is for you. The support available is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is completely free to SME’s across Devon.

Info PDF is here:

MTE GRANT CALL 2022

‘Meet The Expert’ offers a bespoke service so if you are interested to pursue this and would like an appointment please contact Louise.Creber@plymouth.gov.uk

Appointments will be made on a first come first served basis.

Mental Health at Work – an HR professional’s perspective

Everyone is talking about mental health at work and it is reasonable to assume that absence due to mental health issues is going to continue to increase and it is becoming a significant challenge. Here, Adrian from AB HR Solutions discusses the nature of responding to and supporting an employee with mental health issues.

Mental Health and Medical Certification

You don’t very often see a medical certificate that says the reason for absence is mental health. We are seeing all sorts of different language on medical certificates these days – low mood, anxiety, fatigue, work related stress, depression. Recently – one said “stress due to workplace bullying.”

These are all terms being used by GPs and they should send out warning signals for the employer because it is suggesting that the employee is demonstrating signs of struggling with mental health.

Mental health and disability discrimination

Dismissing an employee with mental health issues can give rise to a disability discrimination claim so it is important that employers tread carefully when dealing with employee mental health issues.

Employers often think that if the employee has mental health issues and less than 2 years service, there is no comeback. This is incorrect because even though the employee cannot bring a claim for unfair dismissal, they can potentially bring a claim for disability discrimination. However, an isolated 2 week medical certificate for work related stress does not automatically mean that the employee has mental health issues and can claim disability discrimination.

Conflict of interest

The employer also has to tread a fine line because they owe their employees a “duty of care” and the natural instinct is to be supportive. Recently, whilst supporting a client with an employee mental health issue, I challenged the client and asked – “hold on – are you their therapist or their employer?” They looked aghast at the comment.

Here is our dilemma – the majority of us are not mental health specialists and think that we should help an employee when they have difficulties but actually, there is a risk that our actions are compounding the problem. Employees who display mental health issues are often reluctant to seek specialist help and are in denial. Also, many businesses now have Mental Health First Aiders, who do an excellent job and are trained to identify and recognise mental health issues but not to provide specialist help because they aren’t clinically qualified.

About 12 months ago, a client told me about an employee who had “issues” and he insisted on coming to work because he said he preferred to come to work because of the social inter-action and he got lonely if he stayed at home. The workplace is not a social club or a therapy centre and in those situations, an employee should be getting medical help but the biggest challenge with mental health is actually those who are unwilling to face up to their problems.

The natural instinct of most Companies is to be supportive to their people but there may come a point where a difficult conversation has to take place about their future in the business.

If you look at some work environments, specifically Helpdesk Contact Centres or large scale transactional processing centres, the Supervisors get very close to their team, socialise with them, befriends them on social media……and actual forget that their core role is to line manage them and socialising with them can lead to a conflict of interest when they have to have difficult conversations.

Similarly, a lot of employees confide in their work colleagues about their mental health issues on the basis that “I’m going to tell you something but you mustn’t say anything…..” This is putting people in a very difficult situation and often they feel conflicted and they want to be supportive but people with serious mental health issues need specialist help.

How can employers help?

Companies can help in many ways. Often a first step is to refer the employee to an Occupational Health clinician – this may be a Doctor but they will be clinically able to help. It is quite common for an OH referral to involve obtaining a report from the employee’s GP under the Access to Medical Reports Act.

An OH assessment in conjunction with a GP report is likely to give useful insight into the employee’s condition and history of mental health as well as details of medication and side effects, likelihood of return to work and whether the employer should make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate the employee’s return to work.

It is also likely that an OH report will recommend carrying out a stress questionnaire or risk assessment – this can be a very useful exercise because it highlights “trigger points” for the employee which are likely to accentuate the problem.

Some Companies support the employee by funding counselling but there can be long waiting lists for counselling. Sometimes, the employee will be referred through their GP.

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are excellent because they give employees an opportunity to off load in confidence with a trained specialist who is independent of the business.

Note the words – “specialist” and “independent”. Employees often need specialist help from people who are trained, qualified and experienced in dealing with such issues and wherever possible, such people should be independent – remote, distant, separated from the busines to avoid a conflict of interest.

Mental health issues in the workplace are going to increase and Companies have a responsibility to put processes and procedures in place, run workshops to increase awareness to ensure that employees with mental health issues can be supported.

Many larger Companies are now seeing the benefits of training Mental Health First Aiders. These are people in the business who are trained to spot early warning signs of mental health issues with employees and they can sign post the employee in the right direction for specialist help and support.

Keeping in touch with employees who have mental health issues

Someone once told me that you can’t contact someone when they’re off with mental health issues.

Not true – you can keep in touch with employees who are off with mental health issues but you must be careful. Too much contact and you will be accused of pestering the employee and hampering their recovery and if you have too little contact, you will be accused of not caring.

So, it’s almost impossible to get the balance exactly right and it is beneficial to have a single point of contact to avoid countless people always getting in touch. One solution does not fit all when dealing with mental health issues.

Need advice and support on managing mental health issues with employees – get in touch with AB HR Solutions – adrian@abhrsolutions.co.uk or call on 07885 714771.

Miscellaneous newsletters and other articles received recently by the PMG office

Rather than post each of these newsletters and articles individually, I thought it would be better to collect a number of them together for you to look at.

Available to read – here

More mentors sought

Some months ago the PMG commenced a new mentoring service.

We now need more mentors

Do you know one? That is, a senior manager who is appropriately experienced and has perhaps retired from a PMG member firm who is interested in making a contribution and ‘putting something back’. We would like to build up a database of contacts to work across the membership.

More details – here

If you know of someone who you think may be interested, please give me their name and contact details.

stevegerry@dsl.pipex.com

More than 200 apprentices and graduates join Babcock in Plymouth

Engineering and defence giant Babcock International has welcomed more than 200 new apprentices and graduates to its Devonport operations.

The aerospace, defence and security company said the 138 apprentices and 78 graduates will support a variety of projects and business areas, from life extension programmes on frigates and submarines, to advanced manufacturing happening at the vast site in Plymouth.

The apprentice roles are varied, from welders, fabricators and pipe workers, to electrical fitters, mechanical fitters and computer numerical control (CNC) machinists, while the graduates are involved in a wide range of roles within the business including: mechanical, electrical, process and civil engineers, naval architects and project managers.

The full article that appeared on the Plymouth Herald, Business Live website is available – here

Motortronics expands UK manufacturing footprint

Nash invites you to a Mock Tribunal

Have you ever wondered what an Employment Tribunal is like?

Nash in Plymouth are running a Mock Employment Tribunal event on Thursday 13th October 2022.

Tickets are going fast so act now to reserve your spot.

View the flyer here for more details:Mock Employment Tribunal a4[79]

The Mock Tribunal will be delivered by 3 of the best employment law barristers in the country. It’s going to be a great morning with loads of opportunity to learn more about the tribunal process, talk to Nash employment lawyers and the barristers too. Light breakfast and drinks will be provided throughout the morning too.

And 100% of the ticket fees will be donated to the Primrose Foundation Breast Cancer centre at Derriford Hospital.

New CEC report: Careers Education 2022/23: Now & Next

To coincide with National Careers Week 2024 (4-9 March), The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) has published its annual report – Careers Education 2022/23: Now & Next.

This report triangulates data held by the organisation, drawing together unprecedented insight from 100,000 students, 4,500 schools, 342 employers and 1,100 business professionals.

It shows how schools and colleges are embracing careers education and what this system is delivering for young people – the progress, the gaps and a direction for the future.

You can read the report here. 

New Customs Rules from January 2022

From January 1^st 2022 new trading rules come into play for businesses in Great Britain (GB) importing and exporting to the European Union (EU).

Companies will have to comply with these new rules if they want their goods to move smoothly between GB and the EU.

Courtesy of our national partner MAKEuk, please read the following information:

What is changing from 1 January 2022 for GB businesses who import from and/or export to the EU?

• Full customs declarations will need to be made when exporting goods from GB to the EU, and if importing goods from the EU to GB. You will no longer be able to delay import declarations from January 1st.
• Your business may be required to obtain different export licences or certificates. Check if your goods come into those categories.
• Depending on the type of goods you import/export you may also need to check the marking, labelling and marketing standards for food, plant seeds and manufactured good and/or the rules for importing alcohol, tobacco and certain oils.
• You will also need to make sure your business applies for a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number beginning with ‘GB’.
• From 1 January 2022 you can charge customers VAT at 0% on most goods you export to the EU.
• Imported goods will be subject to the UK Global Tariff which will replace the Common External Tariff of the EU Customs Union. Find out more

READ MORE HERE

New FE Skills White Paper published by Government

Newsletters Received into the PMG Office

These newsletters were received into the PMG Office in February / March and contain some interesting and useful links to opportunities and information.

• Latest Business news and updates for Plymouth businesses
• South West Skills Newsletter February 2022
• Maritime South West March Newsletter
• South West Skills Newsletter March 2022

Newsletters Received into the PMG Office

Maritime UK SW April 22 Newsletter

South West Skills Newsletter 01.04.22

Latest Business News and Updates for Plymouth Businesses 08.04.22

Newsletters Received into the PMG Office

South West Skills Newsletter – May 2022

Plymouth Business News from Plymouth City Council Economic Development Service (20th May 2022)

Nexus Open Systems Ltd

Nexus is one of the leading and most experienced IT solutions and services providers in the region. We operate throughout the UK, providing industry-leading services and solutions to over 1,600 customers spanning multiple sectors including education, enterprise, SMEs and local and central government.

Throughout our 20-year history, our aim has been to work with market-leading suppliers and best-in-class partners to deliver the right solutions, services, support and training for any business needs.

• Comprehensive IT solutions and systems integration portfolio
• 1000+ small, medium, and global brand customers.
• Employs 50+ technical and sales personnel.
• Modern IT training and exam centre, technology pilot, testing and demo suites.

As an accredited Microsoft Partner, Nexus has achieved 12 gold and silver competencies in the Microsoft Partner Network, demonstrating our ability to meet the evolving needs of business customers in today’s dynamic marketplace.

This achievement places Nexus within the top 1% of Microsoft Partners worldwide.

GOLD PARTNER

• Application Integration
• Cloud Platform
• Cloud Productivity
• Collaboration & Content
• Communications
• Datacentre
• Messaging
• Small & Midmarket Cloud Solutions
• Windows & Devices

SILVER PARTNER

• Application Development
• Enterprise Mobility Management
• Project & Portfolio Management

PARTNER

• AEP Authorized Education Gold Partner
• CSP Tier 1 Partner

For an informal chat please contact our Business Development Manager Matt Cook – matt.cook@nexusos.co.uk / 07812205983

No cost Smart Skills programme launched – Intro to composites course this friday

The SMART SKILLS programme, funded to the tune of £3.5m by the European Social Fund, can help small and medium sized PMG manufacturers to upskill their staff to gain valuable new skills with no-cost training solutions.

Our experienced and talented SMART SKILLS Advisors are on hand to guide you through the skills and training options available to your business and link you with the relevant training options for your organisation. Help is also available for unemployed people to gain new skills!

Focusing on the advanced manufacturing & engineering sector as well as others, SMART SKILLS Devon is delivered through our SMART Partners, City College Plymouth, Focus Training, Learn Devon, Petroc, South Devon College and the University of Exeter. SMART SKILLS Partners offer a range of flexible training solutions from short courses through to full higher-level qualifications.

Sample courses include:

Digital Bootcamps

Google App Masterclasses

Cyber Security

Leadership & Management

Introduction to Composites

Introduction to Resin Transfer Moulding

Introduction to Resin Infusion

Click here for more information

Contact our SMART SKILLS HUB team today on: 07789 878751 / 07881 551970 or email us on SMARTSKILLS.HUB@cswgroup.co.uk

Nominations open for Plymouth Live Business Awards 2022

The annual awards were launched in front of dozens of business movers and shakers at a breakfast event at City College Plymouth’s PL1 Restaurant. Before tucking into coffee and treats, specially invited guests heard how the awards had celebrated the great and good of the city’s business community since 2011 and had played a key role in promoting Plymouth and its economy.

And 2022 will be no different with nominations being sought from today across 12 categories including:

• Apprenticeship Development Award
• Built Environment and Infrastructure Award
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award
• Environmental Success of the Year
• Innovation Award
• Manufacturing Business of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• SME Business of the Year
• Start-Up Business of the Year
• Young Business Person of the Year

With two new categories joining them this year:

• Diversity and Inclusion Award – aimed at rewarding organisations with a truly diverse workforce.
• Social Enterprise Award – for businesses making a contribution to the city’s economy and community.

Entries can be made from now until July 14, and the process has been made easier than ever. For details of how to enter simply click HERE .

Notice: Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) Phase 2: Spring 2022 – how to apply

Phase 2 of the IETF provides grant funding for feasibility and engineering studies, and for the deployment of industrial energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects.

From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Published 10 January 2022

IETF Phase 2: Spring 2022 is open to applications and provides up to £60 million of grant funding for the following project types:

• studies – feasibility and engineering studies to enable companies to investigate identified energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects prior to making an investment decision
• energy efficiency – deployment of technologies to reduce industrial energy consumption
• deep decarbonisation – deployment of technologies to achieve industrial emissions savings

Eligibility

The Phase 2: Spring 2022 competition is open to businesses of any size registered in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

If your site is based in Scotland, you can apply for the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (SIETF): contact IETF@gov.scot for more information.

Industry type

Your business must operate an existing site which falls into one of the following SIC codes:

Please check the SIC code you were allocated at the time of registering at Companies House. If the parent company SIC Code does not reflect the activity carried out at your site, for example where a data centre is owned by a telecoms company, you may still be eligible.

The guidance document provides more detail on the eligibility criteria. You can also contact us about eligibility at ietf@beis.gov.uk: type ‘Eligibility screening assessment request’ as the subject line of the email.

Minimum and maximum thresholds

The funding will be awarded as grants towards the total costs of successful proposals. Your proposal must fall within the stated minimum and maximum award thresholds in this table. Unless otherwise specified, thresholds refer to the minimum and maximum grant that you can apply for.

How to apply

The Spring 2022 competition is open:

• submit an application
• it closes on Friday 29 April 2022, 3pm

Please read the guidance on this page before completing the application form.

November / December 2021 Newsletters Received

Below are links to the various useful newsletters we receive into the PMG office each month.

We will regularly update this post as new links arrive.

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTERS

• Foot Anstey Employment Bulletin 29/11 – here
• Latest Business news and updates for Plymouth businesses 26/11 – here
• All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group newsletter – here
• HotSW LEP November Newsletter – Clean Growth special – here
• Small Business Charter newsletter 25/11/21 – here
• University of Exeter – South West Skills Newsletter 01/11/21
• Heart of the SW Growth Hub newsletter 10/11/21 – here
• Be the Business – a fortnightly newsletter called ‘The Bolt’

DECEMBER NEWSLETTERS

• South West Skills Newsletter, December 21
• Heart of the South West Growth Hub – 08/12/21
• Latest Business news and updates for Plymouth businesses 10/12/21
• Careers Hub Newsletter December 2021
• Engineering UK – Big Bang Fair to return
• BEIS Bulletin 09/12 – register here or you can keep up to date with all their news by following their Linkedin page here.

October 2021 Newsletters Received

Below are links to the various useful newsletters we receive into the PMG office each month.

We will regularly update this post as new links arrive.

• Autumn Budget – overview and key insights from PKF Francis Clark – 27th Oct 21
• Heart of the SW Growth Hub newsletter – 27th Oct 21
• Business Update – South Hams & West Devon Districts – Oct 21
• University of Exeter,South West Skills Newsletter 4th Oct 21
• The BEIS Bulletin – Click here for the Department for Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy Bulletin sign-up page. Or you can keep up to date with all their news by following their Linkedin page here.
• Hinkley Point C Power Station Project Update, October 21
• Latest Plymouth news, events and COVID-19 updates, 15th Oct 21
• Latest Business news and updates for Plymouth businesses, 15th Oct 21
• Forder Valley Transport Improvements Newsletter, October 21
• Heart of the SW LEP newsletter

Opportunities for PMG Member firms to engage with the UTC at Devonport

Dear PMG Member

We have a range of really exciting activities and events coming up in the new year, running up to the end of the summer term, where we would really appreciate some input and support from you.

Our Mission is to ‘transform lives through learning’ by facilitating a high quality, aspirational experience that ignites confidence and expands opportunities within STEAM related industries.  We want you to play an active part in our future and within the development of our students.

In order to implement this, we would love to invite you in to support at the following events:

Additional engagement opportunities

Tuesday Talks:

Every Tuesday we have been inviting a range of speakers to talk to our sixth form and year 11 students about future career opportunities.  If you would like to reach out to the future workforce of STEM related careers please get in touch with us

Projects:

We are always on the lookout for inspiring projects to embed into our curriculum, particularly for our Digital Technology and Engineering courses that we offer as early as year 7.  If you have any project ideas or have previously run a project with another school, we would love to hear from you

Work Experience:

We are in the process of making arrangements for Year 10 and Year 12 work experience for Summer 2022

We are offering students the opportunity to partake in a placement 13th – 17th June 2022 for one week.

Students will be drafting placement request letters over the next few weeks in preparation to send out later this year.

If you are in a position to offer a (or multiple placements) of face-to-face placement opportunity at your company please confirm by replying to this email and we will get students to approach you with a request letter.

We are really looking forward to working with you in the new year and hoping for the doors to open again fully post the Christmas madness, to create some fantastic network opportunities for our students

If you require any further information or are able to engage in any of the mentioned about please do not hesitate to get in touch

Wishing you a very merry, safe and fun Festive Christmas

Peter Bragg

Assistant Head of School,

Strategic Partnerships and Careers Lead

peter.bragg@utcplymouth.org

Our Planet Your Path CROWDFUNDER – Helping young people to help solve the Climate Crisis

A CAMPAIGN to help empower young people to help solve the climate crisis has been launched to create a specialist ‘learning hub’ on the high street for children and families.

The centre will be staffed by scientists, teachers, artists and environmentalists and raise awareness through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) and act as an educational ‘drop in’ centre.

Piloted by environmental activist and polar explorer Antony Jinman, the ‘Our Planet Your Path’ learning centre is part of community interest company Like To Be’s mission to raise awareness for environment issues and solve the climate crisis through helping young people commit to green career pathways and lifestyles.

Antony Jinman, CEO and Founder of LikeToBe said: “When I founded LikeToBe, the idea was to connect young people and organisation to inspire them about different careers. I am proud to play a part in empowering young people across the UK to take their future in their own hands and educate them about green career pathways and lifestyles”.

Today marks the start of the CIC’s fundraising campaign to launch the first pilot learning hub in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City. The Crowdfunder has been launched by Our Planet Your Path after the team entered the Plymouth Climate Challenge.

Like To Be founders Antony, Anouk and Martin have the potential to win the £20,000 first prize which will go a long way to helping them in their bid for £65,000 for the climate change learning centre in the heart of Plymouth City Centre.

If successful it will see learning exhibitions, art, outreach activities and information about local and regional green careers in a key, high-profile high street location.

Hannah Harris, Chief Executive Officer at Plymouth Culture, said: “We are working very closely with our partners at the moment to revive the high street and in particular we are looking at projects that are different to retail and give a different experience.

“What Antony and the team are proposing around learning, education, connection and the climate emergency is a really fantastic way of reinvigorating the high street but also bringing opportunities around jobs and education and skills right to peoples’ doorsteps, so we are very supportive of the initiative.”

If successful up to 1 million young people could be engaged in the project over the next five years by combining face to face learning and inspiring virtual campaigns.

The Plymouth based Our Planet Your path learning centre would provide a blueprint for a successful roll-out of similar hubs in towns and cities all across the UK.

The Crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise enough funds to establish this centre has been launched this week to coincide with COP26.

To make a donation, to sponsor or to buy an unique Crowdfunding reward and support the project please click here https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/our-planet-your-path

And to become part of the Our Planet Your Path campaign and attend the virtual event(s), please contact Anjuli Selvakumaran via anjuli@liketobe.org or visit www.liketobe.org.

Output growth slows at start of fourth quarter as supply difficulties provide severe headwind

The manufacturing upturn slowed further at the start of the fourth quarter, as output growth was constrained by rising supply chain disruption, staff shortages and declining intakes of new export work. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) posted 57.8 in October, up from 57.1 in September, rising for the first time in five months. Although the PMI was boosted by improved growth of new orders and employment, alongside a steeper rise in stocks of purchases and lengthier vendor lead times, a further slowdown in output growth held back the headline index. Manufacturing production rose only marginally and at the slowest pace for eight months. Companies reported that supply chain delays alongside shortages of raw materials, staff and certain skills had contributed to slower output growth.

Lower intakes of new export work also had an impact on production volumes. New export business fell, albeit slightly, for the second successive month. Companies reported that some overseas clients were cancelling or postponing orders due to longer lead times caused by port delays and freight capacity issues.

The domestic market held up better in comparison, offsetting some of the weakness in overseas demand. Overall new order intakes rose at a slightly quicker pace, linked to economic growth and clients increasing (or bringing forward) purchases to avoid expected supply chain delays and further UK Manufacturing PMI at 57.8 in October New order growth ticks higher despite drop in new export work Selling prices rise at record pace Data were collected 12-26 October 2021. price rises in coming months. UK manufacturers maintained an optimistic outlook during October, with almost 62% expecting their level of output to increase over the coming year. That said, the overall degree of positive sentiment dipped to an eight-month low. Confidence was attributed to stronger global and domestic economic conditions, reduced disruption from Brexit, COVID-19 and supply-chain issues and also planned investment spending (including in automation).

Continued optimism at manufacturers, alongside signs of demand growth stabilising, encouraged stronger job creation during October. Employment rose for the tenth month running, with increases signalled at small, medium and large-sized enterprises.

Companies linked increased workforce numbers to higher output, recruitment campaigns, the replacement of leavers and rising backlogs of work. That said, there were also reports of ongoing staff shortages and difficulties in recruiting for certain skills. Work-in-hand rose at the third-fastest pace on record (beaten only by May and June of this year).

Input price inflation accelerated and remained among the highest seen in the survey history, with companies reporting a vast array of inputs as up in price. This fed through to output charges which rose to the greatest extent on record.

The original article published by IHS Markit, CIPS is available  – here

PEMC Industrial Solutions Event Series – Discover what Electron Microscopy could do for your business

Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) are relaunching their Industrial Solutions events for 2022/23 – and we invite industrial partners old and new to join us to discover what Electron Microscopy could do for your business. Our new design of Industrial Solutions will be Microscopy Clinics and will be based on a 1-2-1 on-line session.

Are you in the sectors of Materials Development, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Food & Drink, Biology, BioMedical & Health, Marine Technology, Marine Science, Geoscience, Environmental Science and Energy?  This list is non exhaustible and we aim to help all that enquire.

Sign up for a 1-2-1 session with a specialist technician and discover what we can help you with, it could be fault analysis, proof of concept thoughts, or to discuss some amazing imagery for your next social media promotion. This can not only be to discuss a current issue you have, but also to find out how Electron Microscopy (EM) can help your company grow.

There is the opportunity to follow on from the Microscopy Clinic and work with us further on our part funded Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network (PMCN) project. PMCN offers up to 30 hours free EM analysis with a specialist technician. We have already helped a large number of SMEs in Devon, please check out our case studies webpage for further information.

So, sign up now for a 1-2-1 Microscopy Clinic , you will never know what you don’t know , if you don’t.

This event is open to all industries and all businesses.

Next session 14th July 2022 10:00 – 12:00

Please sign up using link below:

Registration

Kind regards

Jayne

—————————————————————————————–

Jayne Stanyer (she/her)

Project and Knowledge Exchange Manager – Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network (PMCN)

Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre

Brunel Laboratories (Room W5)

University of Plymouth

Drake Circus

Plymouth

PL4 8AA

T: 01752 587952

M: 07570 950577

E: jayne.stanyer@plymouth.ac.uk

W: PMCN

Peninsula Transport shares their Regional Transport Strategy

In a major milestone, Peninsula Transport, the Sub-national Transport Body for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, is proud to share their regional transport strategy.

The strategy aims to give people in the south west a more resilient, reliable and accessible transport system, boosting economic growth while supporting more sustainable ways to travel. Overcoming some specific regional transport challenges such as network resilience, seasonal variation and rural accessibility will be vital.

To do this, the strategy sets out four outcomes as well as a route map to achieve a strategic transport network that works for everyone – from businesses to communities and visitors.

By 2030 the desired outcomes are:

• Easier journeys: an integrated public transport system that focuses on the needs of the customers, making travel easy and accessible as well as better active travel connectivity with the bus and rail network
• Going electric: affordable zero-emission transport through a reliable electric vehicle charging network and alternative fuel choices for road freight and buses
• A connected peninsula: safe, reliable, resilient and sustainable links to and throughout the peninsula, allowing for climate adaptation

These outcomes will ultimately lead to the key objective by 2050 of:

• Completing the transport network: improving connections within a safe and fully integrated transport network on a path to net zero

It is backed by a robust evidence base and consultation with government, industry, businesses as well as communities to make sure it meets the diverse range of needs of those travelling within the peninsula.

Additionally, the strategy will sit alongside a Strategic Implementation Plan which will identify and prioritise specific schemes and initiatives needed to deliver the transport strategy. The implementation plan is currently under development and is expected to be in place by late 2024.

Together, both the strategy and implementation plan will help to advise government on the unique transport needs and priorities of the peninsula and advocate for the delivery of transport projects that will make a real difference to the region.

The Peninsula Transport Strategy can be found at https://www.peninsulatransport.org.uk/peninsula-transport-strategy/

Peninsula Transport Strategy: Have your say! Deadline 5th February 2024

The Peninsula Transport region is an amazing place to live, work and visit with considerable diversity from large towns and cities to market towns, villages and very rural locations.

Good transport connections are vital for a vibrant community and continued growth – the Peninsula Transport Strategy sets out our ambition to improve our transport system for everyone.

We are consulting on our draft strategy. The strategy will be used to guide regional transport investment decisions and will be the foundation of an investment plan set to transform transport for the peninsula by 2050 and beyond.

By 2030 the desired outcomes are:

• Easier journeys: integrating walking and wheeling with the bus and rail network, to make getting around without a car easy.
• Going electric: affordable zero-emission transport through a reliable electric vehicle charging network.
• A connected peninsula: safe, reliable and resilient road and rail travel within the peninsula and beyond.

These outcomes will ultimately lead to the key objective of:

• Completing the network: improved connections within a growing and fully integrated transport network on a path to net zero.

Download the strategy

Frequently asked questions

GET INVOLVED AND HAVE YOUR SAY

Feedback: Peninsula Transport wants to hear from everyone living, working and travelling in the peninsula. Read our strategy and let us know if it meets your transportation needs using the survey form.

Webinars: we will be hosting free webinars throughout January 2024, open to all for anyone interested in finding out more about the strategy. Dates will be released shortly, pre-register your interest using our webinar form.

Share: help spread the word and share our consultation with others, we have put together a communications toolkit to help you put together materials across your own channels and will be posting regularly on our social media so please feel free to share.

If you require any further alternative version please get in touch: info@peninsulatransport.org.uk

Pepper celebrates 40th Anniversary and ups capacity with machinery investment

In early April 2022, Pepper Communications, which employs 50 staff, and is a member of the PMG, began celebrating its 40th Anniversary.

The team have reflected that over these 40 years, Pepper has evolved in a great many ways and would not have achieved such success without their amazing dedicated and hard working team.

Since 1982, the company has also developed relationships with wonderful customers and fantastic suppliers, some of which have been on a journey with Pepper from the very start, supporting each other through the hard times and the good – in their anniversary Linkedin post, the team at Pepper said that they just wanted to express a huge thank you to all these individuals and companies with whom they have created meaningful relationships.
To mark their 40 years of business, Pepper announced their pledge to take 40 planet positive actions throughout this year to reinforce their carbon neutral, planet positive operation and attempt to help others reach their zero carbon goals along the way.

Last year, the company also became a member of print and paper advocacy group Two Sides and again laid out details of its Planet Positive Initiative.

In readiness for their 40th year, Pepper also recently told the PMG Office that they have invested in a Bowe Systec Fusion Lite inserter to increase their productivity and capacity. This investment reported recently in PrintWeek, explained that the machine was installed at the company’s purpose-built Plymouth headquarters in November 2021.

Pepper Communications operations director Jake Whitford said: “The Fusion Lite provides Pepper Communications with the ability to access a greater volume and variety of work and help with the migration of polywrap work to enveloping.This new mailing investment is built immensely well, designed with speed, integrity and quality in mind, and the run ability of jobs and reporting is superb. With Fusion Lite working at a greater speed, we have already started benefitting from the efficiencies gained. Some jobs that would have previously taken us two shifts to complete have been completed in one shift and we haven’t even fully pushed it yet.”

Read the full article in PrintWeek here

It is great to see a member company going from strength to strength with such a great environmental ethos – so it just leaves us to say Happy 40th Anniversary to all the team at Pepper from the PMG Office!

Plans announced to open the city’s one-stop-shop skills service within Barclays Armada Way

Plessey Semiconductors Ltd announces profit due to global hunger for its LED technology

After the firm published its latest accounts, Plymouth Live reported “Brexit-busting Plessey Semiconductors creates jobs and banks £7.8m”

Read the full Plymouth Live article here

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport first to be given full green light.

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport is the first of eight Freeports to be given the full green light along with two others. The approval unlocks millions of pounds of grant seed funding and enables applicable businesses to join and take advantage of the Freeport status.

The Freeport is a dynamic public/private partnership between Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council and a wider range of stakeholders. It will enable innovators and investors from across the world to test, trial and take to market cutting edge technology and products.

Businesses that are part of the Freeport can take advantage of a range of tax and customs benefits and incentives to support growth, innovation and investment in the South West including business rates relief, employer National Insurance contributions rate relief, stamp duty land tax relief, capital allowances, VAT and tariff benefits and simplified import procedures.

Approval now enables interested businesses to begin taking the first steps to contracting, designing and planning their place within the Freeport with the Freeport team, landowners and partners and discuss the myriad of benefits this presents. Find out more

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport Outline Business Case approved by the Chancellor

Another significant milestone has been reached for the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport which has now received approval from the Government for its Outline Business Case, along with two of its proposed tax sites.

Read the full update here on Plymouth City Council’s Newsroom webpages

Plymouth and South Devon Freezone Stakeholder information  

Thank you for your interest in the proposed Plymouth and South Devon Freezone. As you know, Plymouth and South Devon are one of eight freeport areas or “freezones” in England proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the March 2021 budget.

The proposed “freezone” for our region follows a successful initial bid to Government by Plymouth City Council, with support from Devon County Council and South Hams District Council. The Plymouth and South Devon Freezone will harness the power of our marine, engineering, defence, space and logistics sectors to deliver clean growth and provide the high quality jobs we need for the future.

The initiative is intended to support the levelling up of our regional economy and stimulate new investment through tax and business benefits. There is a strong focus on attracting overseas investment as part of a wider Global Britain strategy.

The next step is the preparation of a full business case for the Freezone which must be submitted to the Government this Autumn for final approval.

The three lead local authority partners are keen to co-design the business case with stakeholders such as yourself. We very much want to hear your ideas and priorities so that the business truly reflects the needs and opportunities of our region.

We aim to therefore hold an open stakeholder event and a series of workshops over the summer and would be delighted if you are able to participate.

Please save the date 25^th June 2021 and RSVP to this invitation and we will send full details in due course. In the meantime we attach our Plymouth and South Devon Freezone business snapshot – here – with all the latest information about the freezone.

You can also find our latest updates on our website:

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymouthandsouthdevonfreezone

Kind regards,

Anthony Payne

Shadow Chair of Plymouth and South Devon Freezone Board

Plymouth and South Devon submit freeport business plan to Government

The outline business case for Plymouth and South Devon’s tax-break freeport has been submitted to the government with full report due in April 2022

Plymouth City Council, in partnership with South Hams District Council and Devon County Council, have now submitted the document to the Government following months of close working between public and private sectors to develop a business case that supports local, national and international businesses to leverage the benefits of being part of the region’s only Freezone.

The Plymouth and South Devon Freezone outline business case submission focuses on the city’s high value engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors and builds on Plymouth’s strengths in marine and defence specialisms and further develops opportunities in the space sector. It will be a regional hub for trade and investment, jobs and regeneration and be committed to clean growth.

A Freeport is a designated area within UK borders where different economic regulations apply. The Plymouth and South Devon Freezone satisfies HM Government criteria of being within a 45km radius of the port of Plymouth and as such includes three key sites at South Yard, Langage and Sherford.

The Government are keen to develop a highly ambitious, world leading Freeports model which will include a comprehensive package of measures, comprising tax reliefs, customs, business rates retention, planning, regeneration, innovation and trade and investment support. Plymouth and South Devon are just one of eight proposed Freeports currently in England and the only one in the South West region.

Read more here

PLYMOUTH ARMED FORCES DAY – Sponsorship Opportunities

Plymouth currently ranks 5th in the country for job posting recovery as of April 2021

According to Centre for Cities, a leading think tank dedicated to improving the economies of the UK’s largest cities and towns, Plymouth currently ranks highly in the country for job posting recovery.

Aside from Plymouth, cities and large towns in the North and Midlands have so far witnessed the strongest job posting recoveries. In nine cities and large towns — led by Barnsley, Mansfield and Stoke — there are more job postings now than before the pandemic.

Posting recovery is fastest in manufacturing and distribution hubs.

See the blog posting here

Plymouth is a top ten UK City for Manufacturing

Plymouth’s economy is increasingly reliant on manufacturing and engineering for its success. As a City, it now ranks amongst the top ten in the UK for its concentration of manufacturing employment. This follows the recent publication of the Centre for Cities Annual Outlook Report for 2022 with its accompanying updated dataset[1].

For many years Plymouth has been recognised as being the manufacturing and engineering powerhouse of the south of the country and so that remains true, but its inclusion in the top ten listing in the UK is new.

Steve Gerry, Secretary to the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group said, “I remember when I first got involved in economic development twenty-five years ago, that commentators used to say that Plymouth was ‘like a northern city that happened to be on the south coast’. These figures still bear that out with other members of the top ten for manufacturing being the likes of Sunderland; Blackburn and Burnley. He added, Whilst that may be true, I know where I would rather live!”

Over thirteen percent of Plymouth’s workforce is employed in manufacturing (13.28% to be precise). This compares with the national average which is almost half as much at 7.69%.

Whilst its important to note that these figures were captured during the first year of the pandemic, Plymouth’s overall manufacturing employment figures have remained largely resilient throughout, with some firms only temporarily utilising the furlough scheme for a relatively short period of time.

Of course, the City still relies heavily on Babcock International’s operation at Devonport Royal Dockyard for these numbers, but there’s much more to manufacturing and engineering in Plymouth beyond the Dockyard walls. Princess Yachts now employs over three thousand personnel and the industrial estates to the north of the City remain home to a significant number of foreign direct investors from across North America; Europe and the Far East. In fact, over two-thirds of Plymouth’s largest manufacturers are overseas owned.

Whilst maritime related industries are the city’s prime source of competitive advantage, Plymouth has manufacturers whose products serve a diverse range of markets, some of which are niche including: micro LEDs; luxury mattresses; medical products; aerospace and military components; infrastructure for the IT sector; automotive parts; confectionery etc. Naturally, we also have a healthy local supply chain – firms that serve the larger companies – both locally and further afield.

For a greater insight into who produces what and where look at our Plymouth Makes website which is designed primarily for usage by careers advisors and secondary-aged school children. https://plymouthmakes.co.uk/

As you might expect, as a corollary to being a significant employer, Plymouth’s manufacturers also contribute significantly to the wealth created in the city. The latest figures reveal that manufacturing accounts for no less than 17.5% of the City’s GVA (gross value added). This is particularly impressive when one considers that nationally, manufacturing barely contributes 10% to the country’s total economy.

All things considered, manufacturing in Plymouth is looking strong at the start of 2022. Long may it continue! Look out for news of our Early Careers Fair at Home Park on Saturday 9^th July.

Source: ONS Regional gross value added (balanced) by industry: local authorities by International Territorial Level (ITL) 1 region: TLK South West

[1] For manufacturing employment, ONS, Business Register and Employment Survey.

Plymouth Kawasaki factory needs staff to cope with sales surge

This story was first reported in Plymouth Live – here

Kawasaki’s only UK factory is the latest business to be hit by recruitment problems as sales are forecast to rise to £64.5m in 2022.

The Kawasaki Precision Machinery UK (KPM UK) needs staff at its base in Plymouth, the company’s only manufacturing plant outside Japan.

But with other manufacturers also seeking more workers, and recruitment issues rife in industries around the UK, Kawasaki is being frustrated in its search for employees.

It needs at least 20 extra workers right now to join more than 260 staff already at the factory.

And this is because production is increasing as demand for the hydraulic pumps and motors produced at the plant soars, much of it fuelled by growth in the construction industry in the UK and abroad.

The products made in Plymouth are used by global brands such as JCB, Caterpillar, John Deere, Terex and Volvo for machinery used in construction, with many of the pumps and motors exported.

The Plymouth factory, on the banks of the River Tamar at Ernesettle, also services the marine sector and offshore industries and remained operational during the 2020 Covid lockdowns, with management praising the hard work and commitment of the workforce for their “support and flexibility” during what was described as “the most challenging period in the company’s history”.

Sales fell as demand was affected, but the company still shifted £40.7m of products in Covid-ravaged 2020.

And it has enjoyed a 60% hike in sales revenue since October 2020 as the global economy began to recover.

It is now forecast that sales will reach £55m for 2021 with a 35% increase in pump manufacturing expected during the next two months.

Sales are now predicted to reach £64.5m in 2022 and Lee Crocker, general manager and executive director at KPM UK, said: “We just can’t recruit quickly enough. It’s our biggest issue, we have been recruiting since June and still need more employees.”

The company needs to fill 20 positions right now, and is looking for logistics/material handlers, assembly operators and CNC machine setter-operators.

It has already seen staff numbers rise in 2021, from 235 workers in January to 268 by November, and is anticipating the total could go as far as 290 by the end of the year.

Plymouth manufacturer plays key role in development of innovative wheelchair seating system

A Plymouth manufacturer is playing a key role in helping develop a new seating system for wheelchairs that improves function and corrects body posture.

Source Engineering, a specialist in pressed and machined components, has supported wheelchair seating specialist Matrix Seating with a complex stamped part that acts as a locking clamp for the unique micro modules that are shaped to deliver customised support.

A 5-strong engineering team has worked with inventor Dr Steve Cousins to come up with a 11-stage progression tool capable of producing the ‘lock’ in spring steel – vital for delivering strength and flexibility at a unit price that works.

To date, 120,000 of the components have already been manufactured and delivered, with an increase in sales from the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the US set to result in a surge in volumes.

“This is a really exciting project to be involved in and we are delighted to be able to use our design and manufacturing expertise to help people enjoy a longer and better standard of life,” explained Pablo Gutierrez, Technical Director at Source Engineering

“Steve approached us about coming up with a stamped metal part to replace what was previously a plastic and then hybrid component. He’d been to a number of other suppliers, but we were the only one prepared to invest the design time in trying to come up with a solution that worked.”

He continued: “There was a lot to consider. We had to deliver a critically strong part that still allowed the system, which looks like a robust mesh and is fitted in place of the usual wheelchair back, to move to deliver the potential orthotic spinal correction.

“Initially, it was deemed to be just one part for the locking clamp, but after a number of prototypes and iterations we found that it was best to manufacture two components – a top and a bottom that would be connected with a bolt. Tolerances were really tight and also had to meet clinical specification.”

 The full article can be downloaded – here

Plymouth manufacturers lobby Government for change to self-isolation rules

Plymouth’s manufacturers are lobbying the Government for a change to the rules around self-isolation fearing production will be hit by a shortage of workers.

Factory chiefs are contacting Plymouth’s MPs and the manufacturers’ organisation Make UK to put pressure on Westminster to relax rules.

They say production could be curtailed by large numbers of staff having to stay at home because they have been told to self-isolate for 10 days after being “pinged” by the NHS Test and Trace app.

Car producers Nissan and Rolls-Royce have already raised concerns about low staff numbers at their plants in Sunderland and Goodwood, and now Plymouth’s largest factories are fearing they will follow suit.

A meeting of the Plymouth Manufacturers Group (PMG) heard of concerns across the board as “freedom day” arrives on July 19 just as UK Covid cases rise.

The meeting was attended by more than 15 Plymouth manufacturers, including some of the largest employers such as Plessey, BD, Collins Aerospace, Kawasaki Precision Machinery, and Vi-Spring, with others such as Princess Yachts contacted afterwards and also giving support.

“We are lobbying the Government through local MPs and the offices of MakeUK for a relaxation of the rules, for Test and Trace to not be so indiscriminate,” said Steve Gerry, PMG secretary. “Otherwise production could be affected here, definitely.”

Plymouth has the largest concentration of manufacturing employment on the South coast of England and the sector supports more than 12,000 jobs in the city.

But there have been predictions of a “summer of chaos” for the UK as the number of Covid infections rises to about 50,000 daily, including more than 1,000 cases reported in a week in Plymouth, and the NHS app sent alerts to more than 500,000 people in the UK in a week.

Mr Gerry said: “We have examples of employers saying there is exponential growth in the numbers of workers having to self-isolate, and the projections are not good. We could be going from 40,000 to 100,000 daily cases by mid-August.

“In a matter of days some firms will be finding the situation untenable. The Government desperately needs to do something.”

He said one solution would be for people who have had two doses of the vaccine and have returned a negative test to be allowed to work even if they have been “pinged” by the app.

Meanwhile, he stressed that PMG members were also highly aware of the need for staff safety and have been canvassing and consulting with workers and that polls and surveys are ongoing, adding: “The importance of communication with staff is seen as paramount.”

He said firms had found staff are generally said to feel “apprehensive, nervous and hesitant” at the prospect of safety restrictions being lifted and said most Plymouth manufacturers are not expecting to relax protocols – including self distancing, temperature checking, hand hygiene, mask wearing, one way directions in workplaces – until safe to do so.

Mr Gerry said provisional dates for this were given as late August or September, with some even considering October.

“The rationale for this approach is associate/employee safety based on an assessed risk,” he said. “Having said that, some firms are taking steps to change working patterns. For instance, to reduce shift changeovers. Some are relaxing rules regarding visitors to site.

“Most firms are planning a phased return of home workers to the office. The timing of which varied but is commonly planned for August and/or September. Hybrid solutions are likely to be favoured. The longer term balance of home working is predicted by some to possibly change as people return.

But he added that from the PMG meeting: “There is a general recognition that as a nation – indeed the whole world – we will have to get used to living with Covid-19, much as we do with the common flu.”

This story appeared in the Plymouth Herald – here

Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group – Chairman’s Review of the Year 2021

At the PMG’s AGM last month, Chairman Mike Snaith gave an account of the year just ended.

(This should be read in conjunction with an accompanying slideshow – see slide numbers in the right hand column of the downloadable document below)

Prior to shortly vacating my position as Chair of the PMG – a position I’ve held for a little over two years – it is my duty and privilege to present to you our Review of the Year 2021.

Of course, the year commenced much as the previous one had ended, with the country still in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic. More on that shortly.

The complete document can be viewed PMG Chairman’s review of 2021 with slide refs along with the accompanying PowerPoint presentation AGM Chairman’s Review of 2021 PwrPt 20 01 22

Plymouth retains title of the southern city with the highest concentration of manufacturing employment

Plymouth Science Park and National Composites Centre forge partnership to boost innovation.

Photo caption (L-R): Jacques Wood, Senior Digital Applications Engineer at PSP; Will Grocott, Head of Sector at NCC; Ashley Parkinson, SME Engagement Manager at NCC; Ian McFadzen, CEO at PSP.

“Plymouth Science Park (PSP) and the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster industry-led collaborative research & development, drive innovation adoption and skills development, enhancing the South West region’s position as a leader in emergent technologies.

By combining expertise and resources, PSP and NCC aim to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across industry. Both parties will work closely together to bridge the gap between research and practical application, ensuring that innovations are effectively integrated into industry practices, supported by workforce development and future skills to ensure a sustainable solution.

The MoU aims to strengthen local, regional, and national supply chains across advanced materials, digital engineering, sustainability and hydrogen.. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the partnership will enhance the resilience and competitiveness of these industries.

The NCC will also serve as a gateway into the wider High Value Manufacturing Catapult network, furthering technology innovation and delivery within the South West region. This connection will provide additional resources and opportunities for companies to thrive.

PSP and NCC will work together to help industries explore, adopt, and integrate High Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their research and development processes, enhancing the region’s capability to utilise HPC and AI for technological advancements. Recognising the importance of skilled professionals, the partnership will also encourage students, early-stage career professionals, and apprentices to gain exposure to emerging technologies.

Ian McFadzen, CEO of Plymouth Science Park, said: “Our partnership with the National Composites Centre marks a significant milestone for Plymouth Science Park and the South West region. By joining forces, we can drive innovation, support industry-led R&D, and build a resilient supply chain. Together, we will create a thriving ecosystem for emergent technologies and foster the development of a skilled workforce ready to tackle future challenges.”

Will Grocott, Head of Sector at the National Composites Centre, said: “The MoU with Plymouth Science Park represents a strategic alignment of our goals to enhance technological innovation and industry collaboration that will offer opportunities to develop and transform the current and future workforce. By leveraging our combined expertise, we aim to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, delivering impact and contributing to industry’s economic growth and competitiveness.”

The partnership between PSP and NCC is set to have a profound impact on the South West’s industry, driving technological advancements, fostering innovation, and building a resilient and skilled workforce for the future.”

Plymouth set for economic boost from £2bn Devonport Dockyard rebuild

As the business community gathered carefully and safely at the University of Plymouth in early December for the PMG Annual Christmas lecture, William Telford, Business Editor for Plymouth Live took the opportunity to do an interview with the evening’s Guest Speaker, Ruth Cairnie, Chair of Babcock International plc.

In his article, William covers the points explained by Ruth Cairnie, that while plans have already been outlined for a £1bn, five-year redevelopment at the yard, to allow the newest nuclear submarines to be refitted in Plymouth, Babcock has now confirmed that this is only the start of an even longer programme of work, which will see up to £2bn invested over a decade, making it the largest capital investment in the site for 40 years.

Read the article here.

To watch Ruth Cairnie’s talk, please visit our YouTube Channel here:

PMG Annual Christmas Lecture December 2021

Plymouth Trading Standards Service merges with the Devon, Somerset & Torbay

With effect from 1^st April,  Plymouth Trading Standards Service has merged with Devon, Somerset & Torbay. Read the full notice – here

Plymouth’s economy ranked 5th highest in the UK for Good Growth

Plymouth’s health boss urges people to continue wearing masks as Covid cases remain high

Figures released on Friday (24/9) show that Plymouth’s case rate still sits above the national average at 288.0 per 100,000 compared to England’s average of 285.2

Plymouth people are being asked to continue to wear masks in public places because “Covid hasn’t gone away in the city”.

Despite the lifting of government-imposed Covid-19 restrictions, the city’s health and business leaders have united in calling on the public to continue to take the precautions.

Figures released on Friday show that Plymouth’s case rate still sits above the national average at 288.0 per 100,000 compared to England’s average of 285.2.

They have united in a joint plea to the public to help protect “businesses and jobs this winter” by continuing to use face coverings on public transport, in shops, theatres and cinemas.

They warn the number of positive cases in Plymouth is still higher than the national average and that there are more Covid-19-related hospital admissions among younger adults than in the rest of the UK. And they fear “devastating consequences” if the virus isn’t under control by winter with more people hospitalised or suffering from long-Covid.

They add: “For the business community there could also be serious consequences. We do not want to see mandatory measures being brought back. If they are, we could see local businesses close and local people lose their jobs.”

The letter has been signed by the leaders of Plymouth City Council, HM Naval Base, Babcock, the Theatre Royal, Princess Yachts, Marjon University, the Plymouth College of Arts and Plymouth Social Enterprise Network, Plymouth Octopus. It says anyone visiting any of their buildings will be asked to wear a mask.

Read full article – here

Plymouth’s Kawasaki factory steps up hunt for staff as sales surge to £70m

Plymouth’s Culture Plan

An ambitious vision to put culture at the heart of Plymouth’s development has been revealed, supporting and creating hundreds of jobs and businesses while building a world class cultural offer that attracts visitors and connects communities.

Plymouth Culture – the organisation that supports the city’s cultural sector – has united businesses, stakeholders and city leaders as well as artists, creatives and performers to develop the plan, which sets out how culture can give Plymouth the economic and creative support it needs to truly prosper.

The Culture Plan urges Plymouth to be a leader for culture, highlighting the achievements of other cities brave enough to tread a similar path. Liverpool, for example, has doubled the size of its visitor economy thanks to cultural activity, where it is estimated for every £1 invested, £10 is brought back into the city.

Culture is vital to Plymouth’s future in a world after the Covid-19 pandemic – the sector currently employs more than 1,500 people, with an estimated 600 indirect jobs supported by it. The sector accounts for nearly £70 million of economic output per year and 365 businesses in Plymouth are classed as “arts, entertainment, recreation and other services”.

Click – here – for more details of the Culture Plan.

PMG and Building Plymouth host their annual Careers Fair during National Careers Week 2023

PMG and Building Plymouth look forward to their jointly hosted Early Careers Fair as they embark on huge joint recruitment drive.

Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) members and Building Plymouth sponsors have joined forces once again to create an inspiring Early Careers showcase event on Saturday 9 July 2022, 10am-2pm at Plymouth Argyle Home Park.

Aimed at engaging young people, their parents and family, higher education leavers, as well as adults who are considering a career change, the Early Careers Fair will promote the breadth of careers and the exciting new entrant opportunities available in and around Plymouth for 2022 and 2023 starts.

Recruiting employers including Princess Yachts, HellermannTyton, Kawasaki, Plessey, Babcock, Plymouth Community Homes, Kier Construction, Lorne Stewart and Vistry Partnerships will be out in force to promote their opportunities across trade, technical and professional career pathways. Local training providers exhibiting include City College Plymouth, Greenlight Safety and Training, The Focus Training Group and for the first time Arts University Plymouth.

In addition, Plymouth Argyle’s Players’ Lounge will be turned into a Careers Café for the event, where visitors will be able to talk with Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub team and Careers Advisors to consider their next steps, with an option to sip a Barista style drink in the same area frequently used by Plymouth Argyle players!

Emma Hewitt, Skills Lead at Plymouth City Council said: “It is brilliant to once again bring together our construction, built environment, manufacturing and engineering employers to showcase the fantastic opportunities available for launching early careers. With Plymouth facing its biggest capital build programme in 25 years, we have massive skills gaps and skills shortages to tackle in the construction industry so it is encouraging to see so many apprenticeships at all levels under recruitment, along with a growing number of graduate level vacancies. Our Fair will be the perfect place to get inspired through meeting local employers, to find out more about apprentice and graduate level opportunities and ultimately improve your chances of securing an early career opportunity – do not miss it!”

Karen Friendship, Chair of the PMG and MD of Aldermans said: “The excitement is certainly building for our Early Careers Fair. It feels great to be back meeting young people and their families, showcasing our busy and dynamic sectors to them. Many of our local manufacturers are recruiting right now across a range of experiences and skill sets, but we’re also thinking about our future employees and how important they will be to the growth and continued success of our businesses.

Activities such as the Early Careers Fair enable us to engage with all those people who are considering the start of their career journey and open their eyes to the far-reaching opportunities they could have with our organisations.

Whether you are looking to do an apprenticeship, A Levels, T Levels, full-time degree study or are graduating, there can be a place for you in a Plymouth manufacturer and you can go far. Of course, we need excellent engineers, fantastic technicians, and amazing designers, but we also need brilliant people in the other parts of the business from HR to Purchasing, and Project Management to Marketing. Anyone thinking about their next steps, should come along to our fair and have conversations with the employers, the training providers and the careers advisors there, it really could be the most valuable step you take.”

There will be a chance to try your hand at taster activities, demonstrations, competitions, and also to meet current apprentices and graduates already working in these dynamic and growing industries.

For more information visit www.buildingplymouth.co.uk and https://plymouthmakes.co.uk/careers-fairs

PMG and City College embark on new partnership bond

PMG celebrates its Apprentices of the Year 2022

At the start of National Apprenticeships Week 2022, Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group joined together online with Building Plymouth to host their annual Apprentice of the Year Awards.

The manufacturing sector had a record 26 finalists with 5 overall winners with judging being an unenviable and difficult task as numerous impressive accomplishments were described throughout the nominations. The PMG was therefore delighted by the members’ enthusiasm for the awards and proud to celebrate the apprentices’ achievements at the awards event.

The first of the PMG Apprentice Awards was that of the Manufacturing Rising Star Apprentice for 2022 – this was awarded to Daniel Rowe of Groeneveld UK who is undertaking a Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship with Cornwall College. Daniel said on winning his award, “It meant so much to me that my company had put me through to the apprentice awards but then to find out that I had won… WOW! Reading what my company had to say about me gave me a real confidence boost and I would have been glad just knowing what the company thinks about me so that was its own little award within itself.”

“This apprenticeship has been amazing and I’ve really enjoyed every bit of the engineering work and environment. Since Bob became my mentor I have learnt so much and have gained many skills so I couldn’t have done it without him. I look forward to learning new things in the future and progressing in my apprenticeship.”

Leanne Chubb, HR Officer at Groeneveld UK enthused about Daniel’s work ethic and said, “Dan is enthusiastic and always willing to learn new skills, he has a positive attitude towards work and ready to take up any new challenges that are put to him. Dan is highly professional, makes suggestions for improvement, but never forgets the importance of fun! One could say Dan is “doing his job” but what makes a difference “is the way he does it”; the compassion he shows for others and his commitment and attitude, he is Groeneveld’s ‘rising star’ for the future. We are delighted that Dan has achieved this award it is well deserved and we look forward to watching Dan progress further within the business.”

Recognising the importance of business roles in the manufacturing and engineering industry, the next award announced was for the PMG Business Rising Star Apprentice for 2022.

This went to Liam Spence of Babcock International who, as a Commercial Apprentice with City College Plymouth, is undertaking an Operational / Departmental Manager pathway.

Liam said, “Winning this Rising Star award makes me feel very proud to work for an organisation like Babcock. Just being shortlisted as a finalist is an achievement, but to win is fantastic. I am very excited to see what the future holds with Babcock, both within my apprenticeship scheme and beyond, as I continue to learn and build my career.”

Emma Willingham, Babcock’s Head of Commercial Governance at its Devonport Facility, said: “Liam is a credit to the apprentice scheme at Babcock and it is especially rewarding for him to have won as we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. We are very impressed with his commitment and personal accountability to progress his development, and delighted that Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group has awarded him this year’s ‘Business Rising Star’ Apprentice, a fantastic achievement that he is quite rightly very proud of.”

The next PMG Award celebrates those who are close to finishing their apprenticeship or have recently completed it.

This year, the standard was so high in the category of PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice, that the judges could not choose between two apprentices and therefore joint winners were declared. They were Lauren Gage of BD, who is following a Level 3 Mechatronics apprenticeship pathway with Cornwall College and James Wood of MB Aerospace, who is undertaking a Level 4 Apprenticeship as an Engineering Manufacturing Technician at Exeter College.

Lauren said of her win, “Firstly I am over the moon to have won this award. I could not have got this far without my fellow colleagues coaching and mentoring me throughout the 4 years of my Apprenticeship. It’s a rewarding feeling knowing that my hard work and dedication has been recognised. It gives me the confidence to go forward and become a truly valued part of the business. Apprenticeships in the modern world are vital for bringing people like me into important engineering roles. Rewards like this encourage me to push further and in turn become the best I can be. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given.”

Lauren’s Leader at BD, Mark Jones added, “We are lucky to have a high standard of apprentices here at BD, so an individual has to do extraordinary things to be recognised above their peers. Lauren has done just that. Her hunger for success, knowledge and progression is far beyond her years and due to the very unique circumstances over the last 2 years, Lauren has been put in situations that would normally not cross an apprentice’s path. She has embraced these situations and has shined. Nothing phases Lauren and all tasks are taken on with a smile on her face. A pleasure to work with and Lauren has a very bright future here at BD.”

At MB Aerospace, the team were more than delighted with James’s achievements. Jamie Riggs is the Principal Manufacturing Engineer at the company and said: “Congratulations to James, and all the other nominees and finalists. James thoroughly deserves this award, it’s been a pleasure having him in this team for his last year of his apprenticeship and seeing him develop his skills and mature beyond his years.
 We welcome James into his new role within the engineer team and now look towards our next generation of up and coming apprentices earlier in their development and the apprentice intake for 2022. Our apprentices are an integral part of the MB Aerospace future talent strategy.”

For James, the win came as a happy surprise and he said, “I am very proud to have completed my apprenticeship with MB aerospace and have been given such excellent guidance, training and experience throughout. Thank you for this special award, I am thrilled to receive it. More importantly thank you to everyone at MB Aerospace who have helped me achieve it, I’m excited for the future.”

Last but by no means least, the award for Best PMG Business Final Year Apprentice was announced and this went to Sophie Whitefield at Princess Yachts who is completing a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration with South Devon College and City & Guilds this year.

Sophie said: “I am extremely proud to have received this award from PMG. I would like to thank not only my colleagues, managers, and everyone at Princess but also my tutors at South Devon College for helping me on my way to earning my Level 3 Business Administration qualification. Working at Princess is a privilege and I am very lucky to be able to undertake my apprenticeship with them after my career took a different turn at the start of COVID. To be able to play a hand in the development and manufacture of our exceptional range of yacht models on a daily basis is an honour and I hope to be part of this growing business for many years to come.”

Sophie’s Manager, Nick Smith, Head of Product Planning at Princess Yachts, added, “Sophie always goes the extra (nautical) mile. The award recognises her efforts to date and I look forward to supporting her further in her developing career.”

Chair of the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group Karen Friendship said: “It has been a pleasure to present Plymouth’s Construction and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Awards which has given us a great platform to shine a light on the amazing opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy. I would like to thank our local employers and training providers who have gone above and beyond to ensure apprentices have been able to continue their studies and on the job learning during this unprecedented time. I would also like to pay tribute to all our apprentices for their dedication and efforts in working so hard to continue advancing with their apprenticeship despite the impact of the pandemic.”

The finalists and winners of the PMG Apprentice of the Year Awards are:

Winner – PMG Manufacturing Rising Star Apprentice of the Year 2022

• Daniel Rowe, Groeneveld UK with Cornwall College, L3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

Finalists:

• Abbie Tucker, BD with Cornwall College, L3 Engineering Technician, Mechatronics

• Amelia Bulley, Babcock International with City College Plymouth, L3 Engineering Technician

• Andrei Hritcu, Olympus Algram with City College Plymouth,L3 Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering

• Bethan Haigh, MB Aerospace with Exeter College, L3 Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering

• Charlie Hill, Princess Yachts with South Devon College, L3 Marine Engineering

• Corey Stapleton, Oakmount Control Systems with City College Plymouth, L3 Machining

• Joe Coutts, Babcock International with City College Plymouth, L3 Maritime Defence Engineering

• Kieran Foster, Oakmount Control Systems with Cornwall College, L3 Engineering and Manufacture – Mechanical

• Kyle Whitford-Robson, Alderman Tooling with City College Plymouth, L3 Engineering Manufacturing Fabrication & Welding

• Lee Cooper, Olympus Algram with City College Plymouth, L3 Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Machinist

• Ritchie Reynolds, Babcock International with Trans Plant Mastertrain, L2 Lifting Technician

• Thomas Fyfe, Princess Yachts with South Devon College, L3 Composites Technician

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Winner – PMG Business Rising Star Apprentice of the Year 2022

• Liam Spence, Babcock International with City College Plymouth, L5 Commercial Apprentice

Finalists:

• Chloe Mackie, Meddings Group with City College Plymouth, L2 Accounting

• Lucy Wood, Princess Yachts with South Devon College, L3 Business Administration

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Joint Winners – PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year 2022

• Lauren Gage, BD with Cornwall College, L3 Mechatronics

• James Wood, MB Aerospace with Exeter College, L4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician

Finalists:

• Abbie West, BD with Cornwall College, L3 Engineering Technician

• Charlie Commander, Babcock International with Trans Plant Mastertrain, L2 Lifting Technician

• Josh Ford, Babcock International with City College Plymouth, L3 Engineering Technician

• Rhys Heslop, Olympus Algram with City College Plymouth, L3 Engineering Technician

• Sam Weaver, Babcock International with City College Plymouth, L3 Engineering Technician

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Winner – PMG Business Final Year Apprentice of the Year 2022

• Sophie Whitefield, Princess Yachts with South Devon College / City & Guilds, L3 Business Administration

Finalists:

• Laura Stephens, Babcock International with ATN Consultancy Training , L4 Procurement and Supply

• Shauna McAteer, Babcock International with City College Plymouth , L2 Customer Service Practitioner

 Read more about the virtual awards event here:

Local Construction and Manufacturing Apprentices Achievements Celebrated

PMG celebrates Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day 2024

Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group celebrates Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day 2024 with local manufacturing member companies opening their doors to the community and hosting stands at Plymouth’s biggest schools careers fair, Launchpad Live.

Local manufacturers in Plymouth and Torbay including Aldermans, Kawasaki, Hymid, Babcock, Princess Yachts, BD, Rittal-CSM, Schneider Electric and The Cornwall Bakery  all took part in schools out-reach activities as part of National Manufacturing Day 2024.

Across the country, British manufacturing companies opened their doors  to give their local communities the chance to see first-hand the potential careers and jobs on offer in our exciting and diverse sector.

During the fun day, PMG members invited young people to take part in a series of events.

Plymouth Metal sheet fabricator, Aldermans, encouraged school children and college students to have a go at augmented reality welding and building mini aeroplanes from sheet metal.

Kawasaki Precision Machinery welcomed school children into their world-class premises for a factory tour to see how their industry-renowned hydraulic pumps and motors are made and the career pathways on offer in Kawasaki Group here in Plymouth and globally.

While Hymid, a technical injection moulding specialist in Torbay, created manufacturing games and activities designed to inform and inspire 45 GSCE students as to the opportunities on offer in the plastics industry.

Further PMG members celebrated National Manufacturing Day by running activities from stands at Plymouth’s biggest multi-Industry schools careers fair – Launchpad Live at Plymouth Life Centre. Situated in the Manufacturing and Engineering Zone and alongside members Babcock and Princess Yachts, the PMG team hosted a PlymouthMakes.co.uk stand to showcase some of the products made in and around the Plymouth area. They were joined by a collection of their member companies including BD, Rittal-CSM, The Cornwall Bakery, and Schneider Electric who also have plans to open their doors to students in the coming weeks.  Activities on the stand involved a mystery object quiz, a guess the (huge) number game to win giveaways, and metal sheet folding tasks. The secret compartment to the Trunki made by Magma Moulding generated a lot of intrigue amongst the school children who were enthralled by the genius of design involved in this well-known product.

At each location, visitors also had the chance to talk directly to members of staff about how the manufacturing company works and what opportunities might be available for them.

Across the UK, National Manufacturing Day 2024 was open to all age groups, from school leavers to more experienced workers looking at reskilling to consider the possibilities of a career in manufacturing and also gave companies the chance to let their whole community understand more about the businesses on their doorstep.

Karen Friendship, M.D of Aldermans and Chair of the PMG said:

“National Manufacturing Day is such an exciting day that provides real-life behind the scenes access so that people of all ages can see for themselves what working in manufacturing and engineering is really like. We love seeing the surprise on people’s faces, and hope that we encourage more people into such an amazing sector right here on their doorstep.

Plymouth is one of the UK’s top cities for manufacturing and engineering, with the highest concentration of manufacturing employment of any city in the South of England. 1 in every 8 people is employed in manufacturing in Plymouth and the UK is the 8th largest manufacturing nation in the world. The opportunities are here and as a local employer we are passionate about passing on skills and encouraging the next generation of engineers and makers. It has been fantastic to meet such enthusiastic young people at this year’s National Manufacturing Day – we hope we’ll be seeing some of them applying for work experience placements and apprenticeships with our manufacturers in the near future!”

Manufacturing covers a wide range of sectors including aerospace, engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical, food and drink, defence, automotive and renewable technologies.

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers organisation added:

“This is a really exciting day where the manufacturing sector came together to celebrate the amazing things that Britain designs and makes.

“Britain’s manufacturing companies are at the forefront of global renewable technology development and some of the most innovative engineering developments seen anywhere around the world. This is a sector with amazing opportunities and we hope National Manufacturing Day has given people who have never had the chance to see inside their local businesses just what is going on and the opportunities available to them.”

About Make UK

Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, is the representative voice of UK manufacturing, with offices in London and every English region and Wales.

Collectively we represent 20,000 companies of all sizes, from start-ups to multinationals, across engineering, manufacturing, technology and the wider industrial sector. We directly represent over 5,000 businesses who are members of Make UK. Everything we do – from providing essential business support and training to championing manufacturing industry in the UK and the EU – is designed to help British manufacturers compete, innovate and grow.

From HR and employment law, health and safety to environmental and productivity improvement, our advice, expertise and influence enables businesses to remain safe, compliant and future-focused.

PMG hosts a virtual Apprentice of the Year Awards event for 2021

PMG iMayflower Virtual Internship Scheme 2021-2022

Information for Businesses

Our PMG iMayflower Virtual Internship Scheme will see current students and recent graduates from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business working on short term projects, to explore virtual manufacturing, 3D printing and other manufacturing technological trends on behalf of a PMG member business.

Interns working on projects will be paid at a standard rate of £13/hour, up to a maximum of 38 hours per project (£494), which will be funded and supported by iMayflower.

Case Study: Dan’s Engineering Ltd

Bridgwater based Dan’s Engineering Ltd recently collaborated with a 3D Design undergraduate who undertook a small scale research project evaluating the viability of replacing traditional measurement methods with 3D laser scanning. The resulting report supported the team in their assessment of the potential for technology, providing information on everything from the hardware and software required; processing power and file sizes; skills and training; and costs.

The application process

Businesses and organisations wishing to access support through this scheme are required to provide a brief project proposal for the internship, providing an overview of the research project, details of the anticipated time commitment and the type of skills they are looking for from the student.

A maximum of 10 individual projects can be supported for PMB member businesses. Funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis and will be withdrawn when the maximum allocation has been reached.

Applications will be accepted from Monday 18th October 2021, with projects due to commence in December 2021. All projects must be completed by 25th February 2022, or later by prior arrangement.

The full details are available – here

PMG Meeting Dates for 2022

PMG Meeting Dates 2022

PMG Member Apprentices celebrated during National Apprenticeships Week with inspiring awards event!

Outstanding local apprentices working in our PMG member businesses have been recognised for their skills, dedication and achievements at an awards ceremony held as part of Plymouth’s National Apprenticeship Week 2024.

The Apprentice of the Year Awards were presented jointly by Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) and Building Plymouth with nominations submitted by their employers and training providers. The awards recognised 45 talented finalists and winning apprentices who were celebrated at the ceremony held at Market Hall, Devonport.

Make UK were the sponsors of the PMG Awards with winners of each category receiving glass star awards engraved with their names and a framed certificate.

Introducing the awards ceremony, Cllr Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships at Plymouth City Council said: “It is fitting to be holding this celebration in National Apprenticeship Week 2024 with the theme ‘Skills for Life,’ a good chance to reflect on how the opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ can help both young people to start their career journey and adults to change career direction. Today’s apprentice awards truly represent the very best of achievement in two of Plymouth’s high growth sectors: construction and the built environment, and manufacturing and engineering. This important week and our Awards today, presents us with a great platform to shine a light on the amazing opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy. I thank all our local employers and training providers who continue to invest and support our apprentices. I am delighted to be able to share a personal congratulations to everyone celebrated.”

Jim Davison, Make UK’s Region Director for the South of England was on the judging panel and presented the awards to the winners and finalists and commented,

“Through the nominations process, we heard about the dedication that these apprentices have towards their apprenticeships, their companies and their colleagues, which is hugely reassuring for the growth and development of the manufacturing industry. While we especially congratulate the winners, we must applaud all the finalists for their hard work and passion for our sector which is why, once again, I am delighted to support the PMG Apprentice of the Year Awards and celebrate our industry’s future talent in this way.”

The first award that was presented was the PMG Business Rising Star Apprentice of the Year Award, which went to Kane Garside, a Procurement and Supply Chain Apprentice at Babcock (training with High Ridge Training). Kane was delighted and said “I am incredibly honoured and grateful to have won the Business Best Rising Star Apprentice Award. This recognition means a lot to me and I am truly grateful for the opportunities and support, given by the Supply Chain Function at Babcock, that have led me to this point. Thank you for believing in me and helping me grow as a Supply Chain professional. I am excited for what the future holds and I am grateful to be recognised as a rising star in the business world!”

The Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year Award went to Cassidy Blake of Burts Snacks. Cassidy, who trains through City College Plymouth, couldn’t join us at the event but was overjoyed to win the award. In her nomination, Cassidy’s colleagues said that she had joined the Marketing team at a very busy time for the Burts Brand, managing a heavy and varied workload and quickly became a productive, valuable and respected employee delivering outstanding results.

Also in this category, an apprentice was recognised as Highly Commended, and this was Lucy Wood of Princess Yachts (training with South Devon College) for her excellent work as a Learning and Development Coordinator arranging training for the workforce of over 3000 employees.

Next up was the award for the Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year which was won by Ed Pusey of BD who is a Facilities Technician Apprentice training with Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre (Cornwall College). Ed was a key member of the Waste Energy sub team, where his enthusiasm and commitment to learning empowered him to make a positive impact on waste reduction targets and helped his team surpass expectations.

Again, such were the accolades from colleagues, the judges decided to recognise Kieren O’Donnell from Alstom, as Highly Commended in his category. Kieren is undertaking a degree apprenticeship in Industrial Engineering through Aston University and the judges noted his strong sense of self-motivation, self-development and volunteering in his nomination.

For 2024, it was impossible to differentiate between the strongest of the nominations for the PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Award and two joint winners were declared. They were Abbie Tucker of BD and Emily Taylor of Babcock.

Abbie Tucker completed her Engineering Technician Level 3 – Mechatronics Standard with Cornwall College in October 2023. Abbie has also been recognised by BD globally for creating an injection mould manual which is now being utilised worldwide! Abbie said of her win: “Thank you to my employer BD for the recognition for this award. Proud to have won apprentice of the year and excited for the next chapter in my career within engineering.”

The next Joint Winner was Emily Taylor, who is currently in the Final Year of her Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship with City College Plymouth. Emily reflected on her win and said, “I am extremely proud to have jointly won the Plymouth Manufacturing Group (PMG) Best Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice. I am grateful for the opportunities I have taken through Babcock and thank the Early Careers team and my department for giving me an amazing start to my engineering career. I am excited to continue encouraging future generations of engineers whilst maintaining my own professional development. Plymouth is fortunate to have PMG as a fantastic network and continued growth in the sector is assured with their support in apprenticeship programmes.  I am privileged to have been a part of this inspiring community in Plymouth.”

Karen Friendship, Managing Director at Aldermans and Chair of the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group said of the winners and finalists: “As I employ apprentices and I know the huge pride we feel when we see them grow, not just in their abilities but also in their confidence in our companies.  Plymouth is one of the UK’s Top Ten Cities with the largest concentration of manufacturing employment. And our sector contributes a higher than average percentage to Plymouth’s economy – which means our apprentices, are also critical to the economic growth and future success of our city and local area. These awards are a significant way to show them that we recognise their endeavours, their importance in our businesses and that we are, in turn, committed to them.”

At the awards ceremony, these Finalist, Highly Commended and Winning manufacturing apprentices were all celebrated for their success and commended for the high standards they have shown in their achievements and skills developed during their apprenticeships.

Full list of PMG apprentices recognised at the awards:

Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group Apprentices of the Year Finalists and Winners 2024

Winner, PMG Rising Star Business Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Kane Garside of Babcock, Procurement and Supply Chain Apprentice at High Ridge Training 

Winner, PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Cassidy Blake of Burts Snacks, a Digital Marketing Executive training with City College Plymouth.

Highly Commended, PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Lucy Wood, Learning & Development Co-ordinator, training with South Devon College

Award Finalist, PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Lois Randle, Collins Aerospace, Service Delivery Partner Apprentice, with Focus Training Group

Winner, PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Edward Pusey of BD, Facilities Technician Apprentice with Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre (Cornwall College) 

Highly Commended, PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Kieren O’Donnell of Alstom, Industrial Engineering Apprentice training with Aston University and Alstom

Award Finalists, PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Adam Foster from BD, an Apprentice Moulding Technician, training with Cornwall College. 

• Adam Price from Schneider Electric, an Electrical Manufacturing Engineer Apprentice with City College Plymouth. 

• Dylan Gorrin from Sotek Engineering, a CNC Machinist Apprentice with South Devon College. 

• Leo Marshall from Babcock, a CNC Manufacturing Apprentice with City College Plymouth

• Luke Bonner from Centrax Limited , an Engineering Apprentice with Exeter College.

• Tansy McIntyre from Lang & Potter, an Apprentice Upholster with South Devon College.

• Tyler Simmons from Lang & Potter, an Apprentice Upholster with South Devon College.

Joint Winners, PMG Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Abbie Tucker from BD, an Apprentice Technician with Cornwall College. 
• Emily Taylor from Babcock, a Higher Level Mechanical Apprentice, with City College Plymouth. 

Award Finalists, PMG Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year 2024

• Henry Richards from Plessey, a Coring Technician who trained with City College Plymouth. 
• Samuel Frankham from BD who trained as an Apprentice Metrologist with Cornwall College.
• Tierney Simmons from Lang & Potter who trained as an Apprentice Upholsterer with South Devon College. 
• Tommy Lewis from Lang & Potter who trained as an Apprentice Upholsterer with South Devon College. 

PMG Member Manufacturers’ and local Construction Apprentices Celebrated!

Outstanding local manufacturing and construction apprentices have been recognised for their efforts and abilities at an awards ceremony held as part of Plymouth’s National Apprenticeship Week 2023.

The Awards were presented jointly by Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) and Building Plymouth, with nominations submitted by local employers and training providers, with nearly 40 Finalist apprentices celebrated, and 17 overall winners presented top awards.

Lucy Edwards was awarded the prestigious Building Plymouth Construction Technical Apprentice of the Year 2023. Lucy is undertaking a Higher Level 4 in Construction Quantity Surveying Technician with Ian Williams and City College Plymouth. On winning her award Lucy Edwards said: “This was such an exciting opportunity.  It was a privilege to have been nominated and I was so proud to have received the award. I am looking forward to using this platform to be an ambassador for apprenticeships and also to promote diversity for the industry as a whole.”

David Mears was next up, winning the highly respected Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year 2023 Award. David is undertaking an Intermediate Level 2 in Bricklaying with Persimmon Homes Cornwall and West Devon and City College Plymouth. David Mears said: “I feel very honoured to receive the Apprentice of the Year award and I’m very proud of what I have achieved so far during my apprenticeship. I thoroughly enjoy working for Persimmon Homes and I’m looking forward to developing my skills and gaining further experience, so I can become a qualified and competent tradesman.”

For 2023, the PMG Apprentice of the Year Awards were sponsored by Make UK, of which Jim Davison, Make UK’s Region Director for the South of England was on the judging panel and commented, “Make UK is delighted to sponsored the Plymouth Manufacturing Group Apprentice Awards 2023. It was a fantastic evening of celebration, focussed on the achievements of all the apprentices shortlisted. It was a pleasure to present the awards to the winning apprentices and have the opportunity to meet the next generation of rising stars. Manufacturing and engineering offer a broad range of exciting and stimulating careers and such celebrations are vital in recognising and attracting our next generation workforce into the sector.”

Also on the judging panel was Phil Halse of SWMAS who recalled that amongst the nominations, there were apprentices who had transitioned with enthusiasm from a previous career, showed willingness to learn, some had taken on extra responsibilities, acted as ambassadors for their business and supported others, some received numerous endorsements, portrayed exemplary professional attitudes, and consistently exceeded expectations. It was therefore sometimes difficult to differentiate between such strong nominations and they applauded all the finalists’ passion for the manufacturing industry.

The first of the PMG Apprentice Awards was that of the Business Rising Star Apprentice for 2023 – which went to Nicola Mundy of Babcock. Nicola is training as a Higher Level Quality Assurance Apprentice with Capella and said: “It is such an honour to be entered into the awards. To be recognised by management to be worthy of being entered into the awards and then to win, feels like a great achievement and I am very grateful to be recognised for the effort I am putting into my apprenticeship. I feel very proud to be undertaking an apprenticeship at Babcock. The opportunities available to me and my learning experiences so far have been amazing and I am excited to progress within my role.”

Also from Babcock is the Winner of the PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year Award, Laura Stephens, who is a Supply Chain Apprentice training with the ATN Group. Laura said “Being nominated for a PMG award means that my seniors and peers have acknowledged the hard work I have undertaken over the last 2 and half years on my apprenticeship journey. To be the winner of the Final Year Apprentice Award last night means that I am profoundly proud of myself. This represents how far I have come through my apprenticeship at Babcock International which is the gateway to a promising future. Winning this award has also meant that I can inspire the next generation of apprentices, not only in Babcock, but within the community who are thinking about an apprenticeship in Business within the engineering and manufacturing industry. My apprenticeship with Babcock has been highly rewarding, inspiring and has given me not only motivation but determination to go forward in my career and achieve every opportunity that I strive for. A massive thank you to all my colleagues who have supported me in every way possible and creating a welcome and positive culture for not only me but all our early careers individuals within the department.”

Moving onto the Manufacturing Rising Star Awards, there were incredibly strong nominations and ultimately Matt Pope of Schneider Electric was chosen as Winner in this category. Matt is a Mechanical Manufacturing Apprentice training with City College, Plymouth.

Paul Pady, Schneider’s Manufacturing Engineering Manager said of Matt’s win “We’re incredibly proud of Matt – it’s so important to recognise the achievements and hard work of our apprentices. At this point in my career, to see a legacy of burgeoning brilliant talent coming through is highly meaningful and fills us with optimism for the future.”

Matt Pope commented on his win saying “I was really honoured to have been nominated let alone win! The team at Schneider has been very supportive in my professional development – there’s so much happening in our industry, adapting to new technology and methods, so I’m really looking forward to an exciting future in manufacturing.”

For the PMG Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Awards, the judges declared two joint winners and they were;

Chloe Tremayne Payne of Mars Wrigley and Stephen Tillyer of BD.

Chloe, a Shift Mechanic who is training with Cornwall College said of her win, “It was an honour to be a joint winner for the apprentice of the year awards. I have strong sense of pride in my work at Mars Wrigley and it feels amazing to know that it doesn’t go unnoticed. It has given me the motivation to carry on striving to do the best and seek improvement opportunities to help carry on progressing in my career. Being an apprentice at Mars Wrigley has given me the opportunities to be able to win this award and I couldn’t have done it without my mentors and engineering team”.

Stephen, a Moulding Apprentice who is also training with Cornwall College, commented: “To be a manufacturing apprentice at BD, means to work in an environment in which your development is encouraged and supported through the many learning opportunities that present themselves. I’m extremely grateful to have been nominated for the award – to be recognised by my mentors and leaders at work means a lot to me and is a huge accomplishment on its own.

I’m therefore very honoured to have been awarded the Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year title as a joint winner. I am very appreciative as it is such an important accomplishment for me on my apprenticeship journey. I look forward to one day being in a position that I can support and be a role model for the future generation of apprentices at BD.”

Process Engineer at BD, Tony Chapman, added, “Stephen being joint winner of Apprentice of the Year is greatly deserved and a really meaningful boost to BD’s apprenticeship scheme It proves that the ‘grow your own’ model of skills development is certainly working and that BD can be confident that our apprenticeship scheme is continuing to help enthusiastic individuals to reach their full potential. We hope that Stephen’s success at this year’s PMG awards will spur on future generations of BD apprentices in unlocking their potential.

Introducing the apprentice awards ceremony, Cllr Charlotte Carlyle, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Children, and Young People, at Plymouth City Council said: “It has been incredibly inspiring to watch all the finalist and winning apprentices collect their awards. Inspirational to see such an array of different backgrounds, yet united under the banner of being apprentices, all working hard towards their futures. Through investment in apprenticeships, the individuals, employers and economy all win, with Plymouth ever growing to deliver a skilled future workforce.”

Karen Friendship, Managing Director at Aldermans and Chair of the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group said: “After two years of virtual award presentations due to Covid, the PMG is delighted that we have once again been able to come together to hold a physical event to celebrate our apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week.

From the time of our first awards, we have learnt that when an apprentice is nominated, it is a huge morale boost for them. They tell us they are absolutely thrilled that their employer took the time to consider who should be nominated and put them forward for the awards. It is our role, as managers, to champion the talent in our companies and recognise our apprentices’ hard-work and passion for our sector – after all we are looking to them to be future leaders in our businesses. This is why these awards are so important.

Therefore on behalf of the PMG, I would like to convey huge congratulations to our award winners, commended nominees and finalists and express our thanks to our members for helping to create pride in our industry. We wish all our apprentices the most enriching of futures!”

At the awards ceremony, the Finalist, Highly Commended and Winning construction and manufacturing apprentices were all celebrated for their success and commended for the high standards they have shown in their achievements and skills developed during their apprenticeships.

By way of a little fun for the finalists, PMG Member Burts Snacks also donated two mixed cases of Burts Crisps to be presented to two lucky raffle ticket holders to take back to their colleagues. Obedair Construction and Aldermans will be enjoying an extra savoury snack on their break this week! Given that Burts Crisps, now internationally renowned, are made on the outskirts of Plymouth, with their lead ingredients being sourced from local Devon and Cornwall food producers, it was yet another point in the evening to feel proud of all that we make and build in Plymouth.

Full listing of Manufacturing apprentices recognised at the awards:

Winner, PMG Rising Star Business Apprentice of the Year

• Nicola Mundy of Babcock, a Higher Level Quality Assurance Apprentice training with Capella.

Winner, PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year

• Laura Stephens of Babcock, a Supply Chain Apprentice training with ATN Group.

Award Finalist, PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year

• Ethan Dickson of Princess Yachts, IT Apprentice training with Achievement Training.

Winner, PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year

• Matt Pope of Schneider Electric, a Mechanical Manufacturing Apprentice training with City College Plymouth.

Highly Commended, PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice

• Freya Wood of Princess Yachts, a Marine Engineering Apprentice training with South Devon College.

Commended, PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice

• Joel Whiteway of Centrax Ltd, an Apprentice Engineer with Exeter College

PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year – Award Finalists:

Joint Winners, PMG Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year

• Chloe Tremayne Payne of Mars Wrigley, a Shift Mechanic, training with Cornwall College
• Stephen Tillyer of BD, a Moulding Apprentice Technician, training with Cornwall College.

PMG Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, Award Finalists;

To find out more about securing an apprenticeship in Plymouth and to download the latest Vacancy Bulletin visit Secure an apprenticeship | Youth Hub | Skills Launchpad Plymouth

PMG Members tour City College Plymouth’s new Centre of Higher Technical Innovation and Maritime Skills.

For City College Plymouth, being at the heart of the community means supporting its industries to ensure they can continue to offer meaningful employment opportunities for the people of Plymouth.

In an ever-changing world, the way to succeed and to promote growth is to remain one step ahead and anticipate the challenges of the future and turn these into opportunities.

On Friday 18 March, City College Plymouth welcomed members of the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group to tour the new Centre of Higher Technical Innovation and Maritime Skills. Funded by the Institutes of Technology, the Centre is located within phase two  of the Oceansgate Marine Enterprise Zone.

During the visit, the members received a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities and observed the application of equipment such as a bespoke academic-use flatbed five-axis CNC, and a high-end Hass Mini Mill, both of which are used to enhance learning and ensure that everything – from prototype to final product – is delivered to a high standard and with rapid manufacturing techniques in mind.

Once trained, students and apprentices have full access to everything from high-spec laptops for conceptualisation and design, through to 3D printers and wave tanks for build and test, ensuring they reach the relevant technology readiness level (TRL) at a much earlier stage than previously, which also improves the standard of their projects.

Lance Chatfield, Executive of Technical Innovation at the College, said: “Thanks to the facilities at the centre, our students are now more advanced than ever at a much earlier stage in their careers, which in turn benefits the employers of those students who are working alongside their courses.

“With programmes available at HNC, Foundation Degree and Bachelors Degree level in many disciplines, which include, manufacturing maintenance engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical and electronic engineering, along with the UK’s only Foundation Degree in Marine Autonomy, City College Plymouth is well set to support employers with university-level requirements across a range of disciplines.”

For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact:

• Lance Chatfield – Executive of Technical Innovation – lchatfield@cityplym.ac.uk – strategic discussions and high-level requirements
• Alan Austin – Head of Academy Maritime and Manufacturing – aasutin1@cityplym.ac.uk – Apprenticeship, T-levels and course-level requirements
• Martin Boulter – Programme Lead – mboulter@cityplym.ac.uk – facility, course and programme level requirements

PMG welcomes new Network Member, Redrok UK

The PMG is delighted to welcome Redrok as a new Network Member to the group.

Redrok was established to help businesses achieve their full potential by offering innovative workwear, PPE, inspirational merchandising, and print products. In recent years, the company has been growing its manufacturing role, by investing in the best technology, in-house embroidery, and print systems. David Williams, Redrok’s MD commented, “Currently 70% of our business is now produced on our own print, merchandise and embroidery machinery. We pride ourselves on having the experience and passion to provide the right clothing, service, and price point to make teams look their best, be comfortable, practical, and safe at work. Our aim is to deliver the high quality service businesses deserve, taking the pain out of corporate clothing and PPE fulfilment.”

At the company’s factory in Estover, there is also a two-floor fully stocked Workwear Centre open to the trade and public, stocking Hi-Visibility clothing, PPE, footwear, and eyewear. In addition, Redrok is well known across the business community for providing a wide range of promotional products designed to help companies stand out. David said “At Redrok, we pride ourselves on working harder to make our client’s marketing budget go further, delivering innovative and creative solutions that add value to their brand.”

Welcome Redrok!

PMG welcomes our new Chair!

The role of the PMG Chair, transfers to the Vice Chair, every 2 – 3 years and it was at our AGM in January 2025, that PMG’s outgoing Chair, Karen Friendship, MD of Aldermans, handed over the reins to our new Chair, Lee Crocker, MD and Chair of Board at Kawasaki PM.

As we convey our enormous thanks to Karen for her amazing support to the group and the wider sector over the last 3 years, the PMG rests assured that Lee is ready to use his in-depth knowledge and dedication to our local manufacturing sector to ensure the group continues to go from strength to strength.

As one of the original founding companies of the PMG in 1977, Kawasaki PM (KPM UK) – then known as Brown & Sharpe – has had a long and strong presence within the PMG, with their previous MD & CEO Steve Cardew also chairing the group.

Having been involved with the PMG for the last 15 years, Lee is very familiar with the core values of the PMG and its significance in the local area. It was while working at Centrax Components Ltd, that Lee became the very first Chair of the PMG Continuous Improvement Sub-Group and then joined the PMG Committee representing Kawasaki PM eight years ago and has acted as Vice-Chair for the last 3 years,

Lee has a vast experience in the manufacturing industry, having worked across multiple sectors, including Aerospace, Pharmaceutical, Automotive and Precision Machinery, all of which has led him to work in multiple locations, such as Germany, Denmark, Serbia, USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore and China.

For the last 12 years, Lee has been working at the Kawasaki facility in Ernesettle, Plymouth, where he started as Operations Director in 2013, before progressing to General Manager and then Managing Director 3 years ago and, in addition, has been Chairperson since April 2024.

As well as his involvement with the PMG, Lee is also an active member of the South-West regional Advisory Board for Make UK and has previously chaired the Marine, Mechanical Industrial Advisory Committee for the University of Plymouth’s Engineering School. Therefore, it is with much positivity that PMG announces, Lee Crocker as our new Chair.

Thank you to all those members and stakeholders who have already sent warm wishes to communicate their support for Lee in this role, as the PMG continues to be a source of shared learning, solution-finding and sector representation as we go forward in 2025.

PMG’s New Member, TR2 hosts the Network Members’ Meeting, the Harbour Master and Make UK

In late May, one of our newest members TR2 (part of Theatre Royal Plymouth) hosted our first “in-person” Network Members’ meeting of 2022. And what an inspiring way to start our “on-location” Network member meetings!

From their site alongside the Cattewater, TR2 are theatre industry world leaders, designing and manufacturing for a diverse range of projects from mechanical engineering for West End productions to community-experience design projects such as giant flowers for shopping centres!

At this meeting, our non-member guests included Jim Davison (Regional Director, South for Make UK) and Richard Rumblelow (Director of International Trade and Member Relations at Make UK) and Richard Allan, the Harbour Master with the CHC Cattewater Harbour Commissioners.

Before the group sat down for presentations and discussions, Sebastian Soper, Head of Project Development at Theatre Royal Plymouth gave a fascinating tour of TR2’s production workshops and design offices. Lee Brockway, Chair of the PMG Network Members and MD RCR Flooring Ltd commented that it was great to see “the fantastic setting and a wonderful insight to how the magic is made…. !”

Later in the group’s discussions, Richard Allan, the Harbour Master gave a talk on the varied logistics options that the Port of Plymouth provides, explaining that “the commercial port of the Cattewater offers a wealth of opportunities from general cargo, container, project and specialist cargoes. The port has over 1000 piloted moves a year resulting in nearly 2.5 million tonnes of cargo throughput on average. In the last year Plymouth has strengthened its exports to the eastern end and Mexico, whilst also opening itself up to more import cargoes. It’s an exciting time with projects in the pipeline to increase this capacity, to the benefit of users” 

Then Jim Davison and Richard Rumblelow from Make UK talked about Plymouth’s position as a manufacturing powerhouse and the benefits that PMG Members receive as being affiliate members of Make UK.

Our host for the afternoon, Sebastian Soper commented afterwards, that “It was a real pleasure to share everything we do here with such a broad section of Plymouth’s thriving business community. I’m really grateful that we joined the PMG. We are already benefiting from the advice from other members and the presentations at the meeting are real food for thought.”

An insightful and highly interesting afternoon had by all!

Find out more about TR2 here: https://theatreroyal.com/design-and-construction/

Find out more about Make UK here: https://www.makeuk.org

Port of Plymouth – Key highlights, facts and figures for 2022

Portakabin – market leader in modular buildings

Portakabin is a market leader in the design, manufacture and installation of modular buildings, and a pioneer of advanced modular construction.  Portakabin innovates, develops and delivers exceptional modular buildings across every sector.  From a single office to large multi-storey spacious offices, right through to portable cabins for construction sites, from stand-alone single buildings, laboratories and canteen/staff facilities right through to award-winning modular buildings such as ultra-modern hospitals and schools – tell us what you need and leave the rest to us.

With a promise to always deliver on time and on budget Portakabin can deliver buildings up to 70% faster than traditional construction.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please refer to link for our manufacturing case studies https://indd.adobe.com/view/6b384aa5-0e80-4201-8b41-a1c8fdf09c87 , visit www.portakabin.com or please contact your local Plymouth hire and visitor centre – plymouth.hire@portakabin.com or 01752 663 692.

Post Graduate Engineer – MSc in Autonomous Systems Technology

Are you looking to drive AI and autonomous systems within your business?

Do you have qualified staff who have the potential to take the next step with your business?

The world of autonomous systems is exciting and fast paced – revolutionising the way we live, work and play. Plymouth is fast becoming a global centre for excellence in marine and robotic autonomy systems development.

Our unique, flexibly delivered work-based Masters Degree Apprenticeship (MSc in Autonomous Systems Technology) will enable you to develop your workforce to:

• Analyse the effectiveness of existing systems resulting in more agile and efficient ways of working to increase your profit margins
• optimise automation processes without affecting the day to day running of the business
• Develop Masters level hardcore techniques skills and knowledge to adopt them practically in the business
• Grow specialist skills in autonomy such as artificial intelligence in decision-making, navigation, guidance, control and sensor fusion, machine learning, security, communication and networking and data management.
• Understand social and ethical issues related to autonomy

The learning is personalised to your Engineer and will apply directly to your business, putting you at the heart of the programme. We will work with you to develop a tailored programme and work-based projects that have real impact to your business bottom line.

How does it work? 

Starting in September 2021 and delivered over 2.5 years, this flexible work-based program is delivered mostly online with masterclasses on campus, with the opportunity to use our specialist laboratories including the COAST, Robotics and Control Laboratory.

Successful completion of the apprenticeship will give professional recognition and opportunity to apply for CENG Status, alongside the achievement of MSc in Autonomous System Technology.

If you have any questions, or would like more information, e-mail us or visit our website

Our next employer information session will be on the 8th June for our Post Graduate Engineer- MSc in Autonomous Systems hosted by Dr Sanjay Sharma.

This programme can be offered nationally and flexibly through online delivery and an allocated workbased tutor.

Precious Plastic Plymouth and Tavistock

Precious Plastic Plymouth and Tavistock is a small, low-tech, creative, plastic recycling project which aims to engage and educate around plastic waste and environmental issues. We have exciting shredding and injection moulding machines which can take waste plastic and form new products. We use this creative, hands-on experience to engage people in conversations about the values and problems of plastic. We would be interested in linking with businesses. We are particularly wondering if anyone has a heat press or knows someone who has. We might be able to recycle plastic waste from businesses, particularly HDPE and LDPE. You can find out more about us at: www.katecrawfurd.co.uk/ppp  or https://www.linkedin.com/company/precious-plastic-plymouth-and-tavistock and https://www.facebook.com/Preciousplasticplymtavi/

Princess Y72 and Princess F45 win the Motorboat & Yachting Best Flybridge Awards

We are delighted to announce that the Princess Y72 and Princess F45 were winners at the Motor Boat & Yachting (MBY) 2022 Motorboat Awards. The Princess Y72 was awarded best Flybridge over 60ft, tested by MBY during challenging conditions in our brand home of Plymouth. The Y72 “rose to the occasion spectacularly and showed that for all the glamour, polish and attention to detail of a modern Princess motoryacht, the shipyard still gets the formula right when it comes to seakeeping”.

The Princess F45 achieved best Flybridge up to 60ft for its ‘beautifully judged interior and very clever design work’. The Princess X95 was also highly commended in the custom boat category.

Discover our full range on our website here

Princess Yachts announce the appointment of the new CBI South West Regional Chair

We are delighted to announce that the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) South West Regional Council has named Adrian Bratt, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Princess Yachts, as its’ Chair for the next two years.

A governance specialist and commercial lawyer by trade, Adrian joined Princess Yachts in 2017 after operating a national private practice specialising in the manufacturing, retail and energy sectors on behalf of national and multinational firms. He is a former Royal Navy officer who has been part of the CBI South West Council since 2017, while also sitting on the Plymouth Growth Board and the Maritime Enterprise Working Group.

Princess is delighted to support Adrian’s appointment. The company is proud to be a key business in the region, and looks forward to growing its role as a leader within the South West business community.

Princess Yachts provide a new level of design and sophistication at the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival

Princess Yachts, the UK’s leading luxury yacht manufacturer, are delighted to confirm that eight yachts will be on display at the Cannes Yachting Festival this year, including the global debut of the all-new Princess Y72 motor yacht and the European premier of award-winning Princess X95, the first model in Princess’s new ‘super flybridge’ X Class. The complete S Class range comprising of the S62, S66 and the S78 in addition to the F50 and the F55 plus the dynamic V60 make up the exceptional line-up at Vieux Port, Jetee 114, 7th – 12th September. Princess Y72.

At the show, Princess will also be announcing their continued commitment to setting industry benchmarks in sustainability and reduced environmental impact with some exciting news about partnerships and new innovative projects.

Designed by the Princess Design Studio in collaboration with naval architects Olesinski and Italian design house, Pininfarina, the all-new Y72 is instantly recognisable as a member of the Y Class. Featuring the very latest in Princess exterior design and interior finishes, with beautifully sculpted exterior forms, she is fitted with expansive full-length hull windows, also seen on the highly anticipated flagship of the range, the Y95, due to launch in 2022. Indoor and outdoor living areas are optimised to create sociable yet practical spaces, whilst powerful twin MAN V12 1650mhp engines provide up to 34 knots of power.

Read the complete article –  here

Princess Yachts Success at Palm Beach International Boat Show 2021

Princess Yachts was thrilled to participate in this years’ Palm Beach International Boat Show.

Princess Yachts America showcased an eight-yacht line up representing all six classes of Princess yachts for the first time in history at an American boat show. The line up included the global boat show debut of the ‘Superfly’ X95; the revolutionary R35 performance sports yacht; craft from the S Class – the S66 & the S62; plus the Y78 and the Y85 – which is a true triumph of contemporary design. Also on display was a show debut of the F45, a yacht which delivers unparalleled space, quality and flexibility for the ultimate on-water experience plus the V65 representing the V Class, with engines taking you up to 38 knots.

The show organiser Informa, created a safe environment for exhibitors and visitors alike to attend the show, thus allowing Princess Yachts America to achieve great commercial success during the show. “I am incredibly grateful to both the teams at Princess Yachts America and Informa for ensuring that the safety of everyone attending the show was the utmost priority,” said Will Green, Chief Sales Officer, Princess Yachts.” We were absolutely delighted to have had the opportunity to showcase the ‘Superfly’ X95 at Palm Beach, the results from the show are strikingly positive and we are thrilled by this achievement.”

Read the full release – here

Princess Yachts to receive growth investment as KPS Capital Partners take controlling interest

Princess Yachts Unveils the all-new Princess X80 and all-new V50 at Boot Düsseldorf 2022

Two Global launches – the all-new Princess X80 and the all-new V50 at boot Düsseldorf 2022

Two show debuts – the award-winning Princess X95 plus the sophisticated Y72

Sustainability journey for Princess continues with renewed efficiency in their products, reduction of CO2 emissions at their factories and the protection of marine environments

Princess Yachts, the UK’s leading luxury yacht manufacturer, will present an exceptional line-up at boot Düsseldorf, including two global launches, the Princess X80 and the all-new V50 – plus two show debuts, the Princess X95 and Y72. The Princess F55 and V55 make up the six-yacht display at stand 6B21 from the 22nd – 30th January.

Visitors to the show can experience both yachts from Princess’s new ‘Superfly’ X Class range, the X80 and X95. Featuring an extended flybridge that provides 30% more indoor space than a traditional motor yacht, the X80 is the smaller sister ship to the award-winning X95. Defined by innovative layout options with a host of distinct spaces, the X80 includes an enclosed bridge and Skylounge on the upper deck, and an optional master stateroom forward on the main deck. Working together with Olesinski and Pininfarina, Princess has created the ultimate in avant-garde yacht construction with an evolved design meant for extended time at sea.

Full story – https://portal.princessyachts.com/articles/princess-yachts-unveils-the-all-new-princess-x80-and-all-new-v50-at-boot-duesseldorf-2022/

Princess Yachts’ Plymouth boat show branded a hit and set to be repeated

Business Live reported on the Princess Yachts Boat Show, hosted at the Royal William Yard Marina in January. The showcase was arranged at the 11th hour when Europe’s largest Boat Show in Germany was cancelled and has been hailed a huge success with potential customers travelling from across Europe and North America to view vessels worth up to £10m.

Adrian Bratt, general counsel and external affairs director, said Princess Yachts was delighted with the event and would like to run more.

He said: “We are really pleased with how it turned out. Being able to do this after two years of lockdown has been a breath of fresh air.

“The local impact has been amazing and it was good for our staff to see the boats as well. This demonstrates our commitment to Plymouth in a big way.”

He said Princess Yachts, which has six sites with main manufacturing at Stonehouse and Devonport, can be “a bit Willy Wonka” and said: “People walk past the gates and don’t know what’s in there. It’s taken the pandemic to realise what is down the road. We put this together in two weeks. We are looking at more of these events.”

Read the full Business Live Article here

Put your business name in lights as a Corporate Member of Theatre Royal Plymouth

It’s going to be a great year for Theatre Royal Plymouth and your business can be part of it!

Support our region’s flagship theatre by becoming one of the Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Corporate Members.

This will help keep arts thriving in the South West through TRP’s work on stage, with local emerging artists and with some of the most vulnerable people in our local community.

Sign up as a Corporate Member by the end of March and get 50% off TRP Door Sponsorship!!

Last year we welcomed over 300,000 people through our doors – make sure your name is seen with a Door Sponsorship.

To join, please email development@theatreroyal.com to arrange a call or coffee. The team at TRP look forward to hearing from you!

Find out more here!

R&D Solutions Fund 2022 – Call for Proposals

Following the highly successful 2021 R&D Solutions Fund, the University of Plymouth Research & Innovation Team are delighted to announce a new R&D Solutions Fund, aimed at developing R&D opportunities with a particular emphasis on international collaborations.

The awards of up to £10,000, can support joint R&D projects; access to specialist technical support, facilities and equipment; initial research activities, feasibility studies or implementation; and academic and business partner research time.

The call for applications is open until 5pm on Monday 25 April 2022, and anyone interested in applying should register their interest and details of the partnership with enterprisesolutions@plymouth.ac.uk or call 0800 0525600.

More info: https://www.essupport.com/case-studies/rampd-solutions-fund-2022

RD Solutions Fund – Call Guidance Notes

#RnDSolutionsPlymouth

Radical shake up to government export finance support for small businesses

Regional Manufacturing Outlook 2024 from Make UK

“Make UK has released their 10th annual Regional Manufacturing Outlook report for 2024, in partnership with BDO. Using Make UK’s quarterly data, it examines the contribution of manufacturing to the economies of every English region and devolved nation. 

This year’s edition finds the North East of England again producing the best results for output volumes and total orders, while the devolved nations have seen significant increases in the number of jobs in their respective manufacturing sectors. 

Despite healthy output and order books, investment and employment growth has slowed. The sector will now look to the future, as the regional effects of the new Labour Government’s delivery of an industrial strategy and programme for growth are realised.”

Read the Report here

Register now for Future Plymouth 2030 updates

Open to all collaborators and fresh thinkers.

The Future Plymouth 2030 initiative is a series of webinars, co-funded by the Sustainability Hub, the Royal Institute of British Architects and Plymouth City Council.

The initiative focusses on opening up conversations about Climate Change, initially focused on the built environment, it will expand to a broader range of topics and will be of relevance to the business sector.

The Autumn series is being planned now, to keep up to date register here:

Future Plymouth 2030

Reimagining materials and manufacturing together

Materials and Manufacturing Vision 2050  – a document by Innovate UK

The UK has clear potential to become a world-class destination of choice for advanced low-carbon manufacturing. Now is the time to reimagine materials and manufacturing together.

Materials and manufacturing play a vital role in the UK economy through driving innovation, exports, job creation, productivity and growth. These sectors must also adjust to meet climate change targets, adopt new technologies and adapt to changing customer demands.

Innovate UK’s 2050 vision document is a re-imagination of materials and manufacturing together. It’s a document that delves into the challenges and opportunities that lie in front of the UK materials and manufacturing sectors in the coming decades.

You can read more and access the document here

Revolution on the factory floor: benefits of the industrial metaverse

This article first appeared in The Manufacturer

Metaverse seems to be the buzzword of 2022. The term, coined in 1992 by sci-fi novelist Neal Stephenson,  represents for some the future of Internet, while for others it is merely a ‘souped-up version of virtual reality’.

Regardless of different opinions, we will need to wait at least another decade to see the full spectrum of the metaverse’s features. In the meantime, Neil Bellinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, explains how manufacturers could benefit from using the metaverse in the future.

The metaverse

The popularity of the metaverse shows in its market size, which reached $47.69bn in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 43.3% by 2028, according to Emergen Research.

Recently, the first virtual factory set in a metaverse environment opened in South Korea where,  using VR glasses, visitors can witness the manufacturing process of plastic screws and operate machines. The virtual factory can change settings such as the pressure of the injection moulding machine or the speed of the production process, without the need to shut the factory off. In the future, the factory floor might witness a revolutionary transformation from implementing the metaverse’s features.

For sight of the full article – click – here

Rising supply chain constraints lead to slower production growth and rising input prices in August

UK manufacturers continued to face rising constraints caused by supply chain issues during August. Shortages of inputs and delivery delays disrupted production schedules, leading to slower output growth, and also resulted in marked increases in input prices. Companies nonetheless still achieved solid gains in output, new orders and employment.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) fell to a five-month low of 60.3, a tick below July’s 60.4 but above the long-run average of 51.9. The PMI has signalled an improvement in operating performance in each of the past 15 months.

Manufacturing output rose again in August, albeit to the weakest extent since February. Growth eased particularly sharply at intermediate goods producers. Companies linked higher output to new order gains and the ongoing process of re-opening global economies.

Incoming new business rose in August, reflecting increased inflows from both domestic and overseas markets. On the export front, manufacturers reported increased orders from clients in Europe, China, the US, Asia and South America.

The outlook for the UK manufacturing sector also remained bright in August. Almost 66% of companies indicated that they expect output to rise over the coming year, compared to only 4% forecasting a decline. Confidence rose to a three-month high, reflecting expectations of continued economic revival, stronger global demand, investment plans and hopes that current supply issues would either lessen or even UK Manufacturing PMI at 60.3 in August Output growth slowdown exacerbated by input supply issues Input cost and selling price inflation remain close to survey records Data were collected 12-25 August 2021. be fully resolved.

Robust confidence among manufacturers supported further job creation during August. Employment rose for the eighth month in a row and to one of the greatest extents in the survey history (albeit also the slowest since April). Staffing levels were raised to increase capacity, meet rising demand requirements and start addressing backlogs of incomplete work. However, there were also reports from some manufacturers of both labour and skills shortages.

The complete article can be downloaded – here

S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®

Read the latest report covering April 2022 here:

S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®

S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®

Read the latest report covering June 2022 here:

S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®

S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®

S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®

S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®

Safer Plymouth Webinar on the Domestic Abuse Toolkit for Employers – 21st April 11:00am-12.30pm

• An estimated 2.4 million adults aged 16 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in the last year.
• Two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales.

Domestic abuse is a hugely destructive problem and employers have an important role to play in society’s response to it. Often workplaces are the only safe place for victims, offering hope of escaping abuse if the signs are spotted – but these spaces are now less accessible for those forced to work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Public Health England partnered with Business in the Community to produce ‘Domestic Abuse: a toolkit for employers’ to help any organisation make a commitment to respond to the risk of domestic abuse. It also offers guidance on how to build an approach that ensures all employees feel supported and empowered by their workplace to deal with domestic abuse.  Safer Plymouth will be promoting this toolkit with local employers as we see them as key partners in addressing this important issue.

To book a place, please use Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/domestic-abuse-toolkit-for-employers-tickets-149148562365

For further information please contact sophie.taylor3@nhs.net

This is an event being put on especially for PMG members. In order to maximise attendance it is also being offered to other business sectors in Plymouth.

SailGP – Sponsorship Opportunities to help support your brand

SailGP is the sport’s pinnacle global league Powered by Nature. Set-up in the belief in the power of sport for good. Racing for a better sport and a better planet.

It’s an annual nation vs nation competition with fierce national rivalries lining up in equally matched boats for exhilarating racing from the world’s best athletes including Sir Ben Ainslie, Jimmy Spithill and newest America’s Cup champion Blair Tuke. SailGP is committed to gender diversity and each team is introducing some of the brightest female sailing talent as we gear up what is shaping up to be some of the sport’s most competitive racing yet in Plymouth on the 17/18 of July.

SailGP’s core pillars for prospective partners are Sustainability, Technology, Innovation, Key Hubs and entertainment.

How can SailGP help my brand:

• Enhance Perception and stature
• Empower communications
• Showcase value proposition
• Deepen stakeholder relationships
• Elevate profile and awareness

Plymouth is a renowned sailing venue and the Hoe promises to be a spectacular activation site for any brand with thousands of fans.

From week commencing 19^th April, we will start to focus on the Hoe Fan Zone sales, so if businesses want to showcase at the event, there is space – budget around £10k depending upon the activation being provided.

SailGP welcomes all partnership discussions with the local business communities, support being crucial to securing the £20m Economic Impact that SailGP provides.

Conrad Humphreys

Managing Director

Sport Environment

Turnchapel Wharf, Plymouth, PL99RQ

WhatsApp/Mobile: 07720 287674

Santander Manufacturing Industry Week – 20 – 22 April 2021

Following our successful Industry Days in 2018 and 2019, we are excited to launch our first ever

virtual Manufacturing Industry Week! This will be a series of live, interactive sessions over 3 days.

• Date: 20 to 22 April 2021
• Time: 09:15 to 13:00 BST

During the week we will discuss the key challenges that UK manufacturers face and showcase the

international opportunities that exist beyond Brexit, beyond Covid-19 and, beyond banking.

The wide-ranging agenda will enable you to hear from industry leaders on topics and issues that are

relevant to your business, as well as exploring opportunities to help you grow your reach in

2021/2022within Europe and across the globe.

Speakers include:

• Lord Karan Bilimoria – Confederation of British Industry and Cobra Beer
• Stephen Phipson – MAKE UK
• Mike Hawes – Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
• Steve Elliott- Chemical Industries Association
• John Carroll- Santander

You will have the chance to connect with both sector and international specialists, trade bodies and

other manufacturing businesses from across the UK in diverse subsectors such as Advanced

Manufacturing, Aerospace, Automotive, Chemicals and Life Sciences.

There will be bitesize sessions across the three days. View the final three day programme – here

We look forward to meeting you virtually during the week. Register – here

Take a look back at our last event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZZtFDAFAYU

Santander UK webinar : Manufacturing industry outlook 2023.

Schneider Electric Named Most Sustainable Company of 2024 by TIME and Statista

In a rigorous rating system devised by TIME and data firm Statista, PMG Member, Schneider Electric (also known at its Plymouth site as Drayton) has been recognised as the World’s Most Sustainable Company of 2024, scoring 88.86 out of a maximum of 100 and beating the likes of NEC Corp, Siemens, PayPal, HP and Microsoft.

Read more here

Shaw & Co

We are award-winning corporate finance advisors and our entire approach is focused on helping you achieve your greatest ambitions. We succeed only when you do — whether that’s raising finance, buying a business or selling one you have grown.

Founded by Jim Shaw in 2011, we have one of the largest advisory teams in the South West and specialise in a range of services from developing acquisition and exit strategies, business valuations and funding readiness advice, to trade sales, mergers, management buy-outs. We also help business leaders secure finance for growth projects, acquisitions and MBOs.

Helping you with key transactions:

Business funding

Growing your manufacturing business is an exciting process but knowing how to finance that growth can seem daunting. The funding landscape is complex with many lenders offering a myriad of financing solutions. Your bank may decline finance based on its lending policy or the quality of your business plan. Do you know the risk appetites of different lenders? Our business financing experts can help you navigate the complexity and arrange business funding that’s right for you.

Find out more.

Buying a business

An acquisition can make you more competitive by adding scale or capabilities to your business that you currently don’t have. However, acquisitions only work if you pay the right price and valuation is one of the key aspects of any transaction. Due diligence is critical – the assets you may be acquiring could be worth less than you think, or you could be acquiring hidden liabilities. Our M&A experts can ensure that your intended acquisition is achieved at the right price, on the right terms, and is appropriately funded.

Find out more.

Selling a business

A trade sale is a popular exit strategy as it often delivers a strategic premium and a long-term home for your business. To successfully execute a trade sale the buyer must be convinced of the strategic value, as well as understanding the risks, of acquiring your business. Any trade sale requires a high level of confidentiality to avoid creating uncertainty among employees, suppliers and other key stakeholders. Our M&A experts will manage the end-to-end process of preparing your business for a trade sale, taking it to market and executing the transaction with trade purchasers.

Find out more.

Further Information

Contact:                Colin.Burns@shawcorporatefinance.com or call us on 0330 127 0100

Website:               www.shawcorporatefinance.com

LinkedIn:              www.linkedin.com/company/shawcorpfin

Twitter: @ShawCorpFin

Shaw & Co Launches Interim Analysis of Manufacturing and Engineering Industry

Shaw & Co, the specialist corporate finance advisory firm, has launched an interim analysis of the Manufacturing & Engineering industry.

The report, which features a summary of M&A deals that have been completed since the launch of Shaw & Co’s annual Manufacturing and Engineering report last October, provides SMEs with valuable insight regarding their latest acquisition prospects.

THE REPORT’S KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

Buoyant M&AActivity:

Deal activity has been buoyant in the M&E industry in the last year, partly as a result of deals being put on hold early in the pandemic. There were 178 M&A deals with an average deal value (adjusted for anomalies) of £45.7m.

Trouble on the Horizon?:

A number of headwinds – rising inflation and the worsening geopolitical situation – mean that the level of M&A activity may not continue. Confidence is key to dealmaking, and uncertain economic conditions can cause buyers to pull the plug.

Seize the Moment:

If an exit is desired and your business is performing well, we recommend giving consideration to launching a sale process this year rather than waiting until 2023 before current events flow through to the wider economy.

Regional Hotbeds:

The majority (64%) of M&A deals happened in the South East and North of England.

A full copy of the report is available for free download here.

Siemens Demo Truck arrives in Plymouth, 5th May 2022

Rowse is hosting the impressive Siemens Industrial Control demo truck on its 2022 Spring UK Tour.

Come along to Plymouth Albion Rugby ground on the 5th of May and meet teams from Rowse and Siemens. Take a tour around the demo truck, get the latest information on Siemens’ range of industrial controls and discuss your requirements over a coffee (or tea!) and a sandwich.

From highly flexible systems to switching devices, load feeders & motor management systems: explore how communication via IO-Link, AS-Interface & PROFINET facilitates effective systems management & communication within your facilities.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Click on the link below to register for the event.

Siemens Industrial Controls Tour

And see digital flyer here: 2 – SIRIUS Demo Van Invitation

SMART SKILLS – Devon has attracted £3.5 million of European Social Fund investment to help Small and Medium Enterprises across the whole county of Devon up-skill their staff. 

SMART SKILLS Courses Nov-Dec 2021

Our experienced and talented SMART SKILLS Advisers are on hand to guide you through the skills and training options available to your business and link you with the relevant training options for your organisation. Help is also available for unemployed people to gain new skills!

SMART SKILLS Devon is delivered through our SMART Partners, City College Plymouth, Focus Training, Learn Devon, Petroc, South Devon College and the University of Exeter. SMART SKILLS Partners offer a range of flexible training solutions from short courses through to full higher-level qualifications. Focusing on, although not limited to, the following sectors:

• Marine
• Composite
• Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering

SMART SKILLS is proud to offer a range of fully funded training solutions to meet the needs of businesses across Devon, helping to support economic growth in the region.  Our quality Partners offer flexible training from one day workshops through to full qualifications, delivered face-to-face or online.

SMART SKILLS are offering 4 x 2 hour online sessions on the changing world of work

About this event

SMART Skills funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) is a project aimed at helping Devon-based small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) businesses to identify skills gaps in their existing workforce and provide the skills training they need to become more resilient during this economic crisis and beyond; the bid aims to support business now for the future.

The New Ways of Working course is a suite of 4 online sessions running from June 2021 to July 2021

Course Topics

• An overview of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and Business
• Adapting to a changing working environment – the virtual workplace
• and managing teams remotely
• Managing your people through periods of change
• Motivating and engaging with your people
• Developing people in the workplace

Course Dates & Times

All courses will be delivered online on the following dates:

Tuesday 15th June 13:00 – 15:00

Tuesday 22nd June 13:00 – 15:00

Tuesday 29th June 13:00 – 15:00

Wednesday 21st July 13:00 – 15:00

*All courses are fully funded and non-regulated.

*Participation is subject to meeting eligibility requirements

Eligibility and relevant paperwork will need to be completed before the start of the course, instructions on this will be provided with your booking confirmation email.

Register – here

SMART SKILLS Fully Funded Courses in January 2022

The SMART SKILLS team is delighted to share the upcoming fully funded courses commencing in January 2022.  There are some great opportunities to upskill in Leadership & Management, Coaching & Mentoring, and Project Management.

Click here for the PDF of the Programme

SMART SKILLS Programme January 2022

Or visit the course calendar on our website for more information and to sign up https://cswgroup.co.uk/smart-skills-offer/course-calendar/

If you would like to find out more about SMART SKILLS and how we can help bridge skills gaps, please get in touch to speak to our friendly and experienced Skills Advisers, Naomi Richards and Michael Sharman.

Email: SMARTSKILLS.HUB@cswgroup.co.uk

Smarter Stock Solutions – getting your head in the cloud

An Article from Rexel 

Storeroom management of consumables and assets in the industrial sector is undergoing a revolutionary change. With the advent of smart technology, forward-thinking organisations are moving rapidly towards cloud-based intelligent solutions that significantly reduce costs and man-hours and improve first-time fix rates.

Many organisations still have limited visibility of indirect materials used in their operation, with inventory stored in multiple untracked locations with little or no control, and replenishment being reactive and time-consuming with repeated journeys to suppliers. This can lead to excessive spend, inadequate stocks where needed and costly production down-time, as well as lack of compliance where approved suppliers have not been specified.

Uptake of ‘smart’ solutions is soaring, as the set-up can be simple with systems like Rexel SmartStores, and the benefits which are measurable and tangible from the outset.

How does it work?

The SmartStock low touch NFC solution from Rexel is based on cloud-based two-way communication, and is easy to set up, use and maintain:

• We assist with your stores set-up with stock profiling, and all bin locations are electronically tagged
• The SmartStores app is downloaded to an Android smart device
• As items are used and scanned, stocks are auto-replenished by Rexel so correct levels according to usage are anticipated and maintained

Complete visibility and control

Control within large operations can be a constant challenge, but a SmartStore can provide:

• Enterprise-wide reporting with easy access to data
• Real-time notifications and monitoring
• User access control
• Tracking of users, and materials / assets issued
• Dynamic project management with job numbers / costings automatically updating SmartStores via the Rexel platform

Many industrial sites are also using the SmartVending option which allows the right products to be available exactly where they are needed, and offers the same tracking, security and auto-replenishment features as the Stores version.

For more information or to arrange a site visit please contact Adrian Trueman by email adrian.trueman@rexel.co.uk or call 07776 665362.

SME manufacturers, take five minutes to make your voice heard

Email from SWMAS for the Manufacturing Barometer Survey

How will current conditions impact the future of manufacturing?
Complete this short survey to help uncover how recent global events, and increasing energy costs, are affecting SME businesses like yours, and the UK manufacturing sector.

Findings so far…

• For 85% of respondents, incoming supply chain costs have worsened since January
• 89% have said that changing energy costs are having a negative impacton their business

This is your chance to influence key stakeholders!
Survey results will be shared with government to try to gather support for manufacturers at this crucial time. Every response counts so take five minutes to add your voice…

**OPEN UNTIL 5PM FRIDAY 22nd APRIL**

Access Survey

What is the Manufacturing Barometer?
This survey is the largest of its kind in the UK, and offers SME manufacturers a valuable platform to make their collective voice heard on a quarterly basis.

How will your response be used?
All responses will be anonymised, aggregated, and included in the Q4 2021/22 Manufacturing Barometer report, which you will receive as soon as it’s ready.

Source Engineering invests £100k in a new press and now eyes 20% turnover hike

A Plymouth manufacturer has invested £100,000 into a high-speed press line to boost capacity ahead of a raft of new opportunities.

Source Engineering, a specialist in precision pressed parts and machined components, employs 32 people across its two divisions in Plympton.

The firm has tapped into the expertise of industry leading high-speed press maker Bruderer UK to purchase a machine that can do the work of four conventional HME (Hordern, Mason & Edwards) power presses.

The BSTA 200M 20-tonne stamping press was identified as the ideal solution and is now up and running at Source Engineering’s Langage Business Park facility, achieving 300 strokes per minute which represents a 200% increase in production output across a range of products destined for the automotive, electrical wholesale and oil and gas markets.

Read the full story – here

South West Manufacturing Barometer – April 2023