Digitalising a manufacturing operation does not necessarily involve making large investments in new equipment. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, argues that upgrading existing installations and upskilling your workforce can often achieve similar results at a much lower cost.
It can be bewildering for manufacturers embarking on the journey to digitalise their operations. But, argues Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, expert help is available to guide them in the right direction.
The UK lags behind other industrial nations in adopting digitised manufacturing technologies. Why is this? Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, reports on a recent gathering of experts to discuss the issue.
Manufacturing industry has had to cope with a series of shocks in recent years, but most manufacturers have managed to survive – and, in some cases, to thrive. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, argues that a key element in this has been the resilience of UK manufacturers.
In the never-ending quest to boost the UK’s present and future engineering skills, Gambica is backing the Worldskills competition-based training and assessment scheme as a way of attracting and fostering new talent. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, explains the background.
The past few years have thrown up almost unprecedented challenges for the automation sector in the form of Brexit, the Covid pandemic, supply chain problems and now the war in Ukraine. But Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, reports that the sector has shown remarkable resilience and has even discovered new areas for business.
Just as the UK manufacturing sector appeared to be heading for recovery following the Covid pandemic, the Ukrainian conflict has intervened, with effects that can only be speculated about at this stage. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, explains how his organisation is planning to help its members.
We are still getting to grips with the concept of Industry 4.0, but already we are being told it’s time to start thinking about Industry 5.0. What’s going on? Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, explains.
Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, reflects on the momentous year just ended, and gazes into his crystal ball for 2022 to predict some trends that might emerge.
Covid-19 has changed the way that UK industrial companies operate in many ways. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, considers the longer-term effects that the pandemic may have on British industry.
Gambica has created a group that brings together academics with industry representatives in an attempt to move forward in solving the perennial problem of how to create a skilled workforce for the future. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for industrial automation, reports on the group’s activities and the progress it has made.
New regulations on efficiency levels for motors and VSDs came into effect in July. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for industrial automation, examines the changes and their implications for motor and drives users.
The need to move towards net-zero emissions is adding to the pressures faced by UK manufacturers. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for industrial automation, argues that if they are to make the transition, they will need government assistance.
Last year, a collaborative project united industrial companies with UK university students to help solve some of the problems arising from the urgent need for ventilators. As Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for industrial automation, explains, the project also helped to equip engineering students with the skills needed to digitalise UK manufacturing and to help close the skills gap.
UK manufacturing appears to have come through the Covid pandemic relatively well. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for industrial automation, argues that we need to apply the lessons learned during the past year to help improve our levels of growth and productivity, and to ensure that the UK achieves a sustainable competitive advantage.
