Intellect launches Automate Britain campaign for 2013 04 February 2013

Automation and robotics are not only critical to the UK government's aspiration to rebalance the economy in favour of manufacturing, but also to rebuilding the UK as a net high-tech exporting nation.

That was the message from Julian David, CEO of Intellect, the UK technology trade association that represents firms from systems integrators to electronics manufacturers, which collectively employ more than 1 million.

Launching Intellect's Automate Britain 2013 campaign in London last week (30 January 2013), David lamented the fact that the UK still lags Japan, Germany and the US, in terms of robot uptake, by a factor of 10.

"Our campaign is about championing the UK as a good place for technology, in terms of investment," he said. "And it's also about technology being good for UK plc and UK people. We will be running a calendar of events around the country, making those points."

David was supported by Brian Holiday, divisional director of Siemens Industry Automation, who pointed to the marketing success of the 'Intel inside' PCs campaign. "We need buyers throughout industry and commerce to understand that, similarly, virtually everything they touch has a PLC inside," said Holiday.

"And, with the trend throughout automation technology being one of increasing sophistication and falling costs, in both hardware and software, it is a concern for us to see the UK currently under-investing in technology," he continued.

"We have a strong design competence in the UK, but we need to see that reflected in manufacturing industry, with upgraded technology. Germany is a high-wage economy, but it scores high in productivity, because they have continued to invest in automation technology despite the downturn. As a result, output is up and they are reaping the rewards."

For Holiday, the UK has turned the corner, with the Catapult R&D centres breathing new life into advanced engineering and associated technologies, as well as well-funded UTCs (University Technical Colleges) promising greater technological talent. And he adds that ECAs (Enhanced Capital Allowances) should be encouraging investment.

"For Britain to succeed, we need more investment in automation. Currently, spending on technology is still disproportionately low for the contribution it is capable of making," he said.

"Technology and people together are critical. We know from our own drives factory in Congleton, which is the most productive in the world and still beating China."

And make no mistake, he added: China is now investing heavily in advanced manufacturing technology.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Intellect Enterprises Ltd
Siemens Industry Ltd

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