JANUARY 2020 ROUND-UP
Did you hear... The best soundbites from around the industry
“The honour is a boost to British manufacturing. I am incredibly proud of the
hardworking, skilled people that I have the privilege of working with every day.”
Christopher Nieper, MD of luxury women’s fashion manufacturer David Nieper Ltd, has
been recognised with an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list for services to manufacturing.
Pic of the month
“Encountering delay and disruption far too often, employees up and
down the UK want a cheaper, greener and more reliable commute.”
Matthew Fell, chief UK policy director at the CBI, comments on research that found
workers are wasting over fi ve days of their time a year due to commuting problems.
Two new developments have seen the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)
branch out across the UK. AMRC Cymru (main image) opened its doors in Broughton,
Wales. Backed by £20 million from the Welsh government, the centre boasts a 2,000m2
open access research area, with Airbus (which has its UK factory nearby) signed up as the
fi rst tenants. “AMRC Cymru will be of benefi t for generations to come in North Wales and
is part of our aim to have a more prosperous and equal Wales,” said Mark Drakeford, First
Minister of Wales. The second development came as planning permission was granted
for the 4,500m2 AMRC North West facility (inset) on the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise
Zone in Lancashire. The site will focus on light-weighting technologies, battery assembly
and vehicle electrifi cation. Over 65 SME manufacturers are currently in tenancy at the
AMRC North West’s temporary home at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
Latest NMIS
plans revealed
Plans have been
submitted for the next
stage of development
at the National
Manufacturing Institute
Scotland (NMIS).
When complete later
in 2020, NMIS will be a
£65 million, industryled
international centre
of manufacturing
expertise funded by
Scottish government
in partnership with
the University of
Strathclyde and
Renfrewshire Council.
It will sit at the heart
of the Advanced
Manufacturing
Innovation District
Scotland (AMIDS), a
52 hectare site around
Glasgow Airport.
“Scotland has a
vibrant manufacturing
sector which is
well-placed for further
innovation and
growth,” said Professor
Sir Jim McDonald,
principal of the
University of
Strathclyde. “To
achieve its fullest
potential, it needs
advanced facilities,
resources and
equipment, for use by
highly qualified and
skilled sta; NMIS will
oer all of this.”
UK businesses more likely to ‘buy British’
Almost two-thirds of UK
purchasing managers are willing
to buy British-made products –
whatever the cost – according
to a survey of 1,000 companies
conducted by Made in Britain.
In addition, more than half
of businesses believe their
purchasing policies can make
a positive diff erence to the
national economy, and 47%
say British-made products are
of a better quality than their
imported alternatives.
Post-Brexit, 46% of
businesses plan to buy more
British products. Nearly twothirds
of businesses would be
more loyal to a brand if it was
made in Britain.
Product provenance is a
key factor in business decisionmaking,
with 81% of companies
considering where something
is made before buying it.
“Our research shows that
Britain’s business community is
standing fi rmly behind British
manufacturing,” said Made in
Britain CEO, John Pearce. “This
is not out of blind patriotism
but because they recognise the
quality and sustainability
of its output, and its positive
impact on UK plc.
“Brexit will be a
challenging time for
manufacturers but with
nearly half of businesses we
spoke to planning to buy
more British-made products
after we leave the EU,
coupled with the high esteem
British manufacturing is held
in by the nation’s private
sector, the industry has lots
to be encouraged by heading
into 2020.”
Both images: AMRC
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk 7
Scottish Enterprise
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk