60 SECONDS APRIL 2019
60
seconds
with...
QAs a child, what did you want
to be when you grew up?
ALike a lot of people, when I was
14
younger, I didn’t know what I wanted
to be. Career advice at school was pretty
thin on the ground, with teachers giving
you a book to pick a career from. As time
passed, I narrowed my choices down,
which led to me studying Computer and
Control Systems at Coventry University.
QWhat do you like most about
UK manufacturing?
AFor me, it’s the variety within the
sector that is so exciting. Over the
years I have visited thousands of factories
and manufacturing facilities; from
pharmaceutical to food and beverage.
While the aim of the businesses often
remains the same, each facility is diff erent,
with their own systems, process and
nuances. My job is to explore how these
systems can operate more effi ciently and
provide a clear road map of how this can
be accomplished.
QHow do you think manufacturing
is perceived by people outside
the industry?
ADespite how far the industry has
come, manufacturing’s image is
still infl uenced by the decline it faced
in the late 20th century. For example, in
1971, the steel industry employed more
than 320,000 people; by 1991 this fi gure
had fallen to just 44,000. While UK
manufacturing is performing better than it
was, those not working in the industry still
have a tainted perception, meaning it is
often overlooked as a potential career path.
This has led to the industry suff ering
from a signifi cant skills gap. Research
has revealed that at present in the UK we
have an annual shortfall of up to 59,000
engineering graduates and technicians
in order to fi ll core engineering roles – a
problem that must be addressed sooner
rather than later.
QWhat has been you biggest
accomplishment to date?
ALike the industry itself, my job
has changed signifi cantly over the
years, and I have moved from hands-on
manufacturing to more strategic work.
One of my more recent accomplishments,
and one I am perhaps most proud of, is
being involved in formulating Boulting’s
digital strategy and how it is implemented
across the business.
QHow do you spend your spare time?
AI love spending time in the kitchen.
At the moment I’m on a mission to
create the perfect steak and ale pie – not
an easy task, that’s for sure.
QWhat’s the secret to a successful
future for UK manufacturing?
AThe implementation of sustainable
digital transformation technologies
is key to the future of manufacturing.
CV:
2018-present: Digital lead, Boulting Technology
2005-2018: Sales manager, Boulting Technology
2003-2005: Account manager, H.G Systems
1999-2003: Sales manager, Briggs Automation
Education: Degree in Computer and Control
Systems (B.Sc.), Coventry University
Technologies that enable concepts such
as virtual commissioning and predictive
maintenance, to name just a few, will
revolutionise the industry, allowing
benefi ts to be reaped across the business.
With changes to equipment and
processes in hand, manufacturers must
not forget their people too. While there is
much speculation of the impact Industry
4.0 will have on jobs, as previous industrial
revolutions have proven, people’s
responsibilities will evolve, meaning
learning and development will need to
shift accordingly. Education institutions
and businesses must come together to
ensure these requirements are met and
that the skills gap does not worsen.
QOne thing you may not know
about me is…
AI was once a member of the Sea
Scouts; however, where I was living,
we couldn’t be further from the sea. On
the day I joined, the group actually had its
dingy stolen, meaning that in the four years
I was a member, not once did we make it
into open water. To this day, though, I still
have the sailor’s hat...
NICK BOUGHTON
digital lead, Boulting Technology
My favourite food:
Steak-frites
It stands to reason
one of my favourite
meals is also from my
favourite
country.
France
I have a strong connection with
France, having visited many times
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
Flag : J BOY /stock.adobe.com Food pic: gkrphoto/stock.adobe.com
My favourite fi lm:
One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest
This is perhaps one
of the fi rst ‘grown
up’ fi lms I saw when
I moved out of the family
My favourite holiday
destination:
over the years. When I was 18 it
was the fi rst place I visited, having
never been abroad before.
My favourite book: Steve Jobs:
The Exclusive Biography
I’m a big fan of (auto)
biographies and fascinated
by where people have
come from to get
where they are today.
A few of my
favourite
things...
Steve Jobs: Matthew Yohe/Creative Commons Film Poster: World History Archive / Alamy Stock Photo
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
/stock.adobe.com
/stock.adobe.com