Robot Strategy for ROI (Return on Investment) is the focus of today's discussion between Stephanie West, Deputy Director of Operations at NERIC (North of England Robotic Innovation Centre) and Host Jeff Beacham.

How does NERIC support SME Manufacturers?

How do you see automation and robotics helping to upskill workers by allowing them to move away from repetitive or dangerous tasks and into more value-added roles?

What are the most pressing challenges that manufacturers face when it comes to adopting robotic solutions?

What should companies consider when integrating robots into their operations?

What role does NERIC play in the broader push for technology adoption in the manufacturing sector, especially when it comes to helping businesses overcome barriers such as cost or lack of technical expertise?

As robots and automation systems increasingly take on repetitive tasks, there’s a growing focus on retraining employees for more strategic, higher-level positions. How do you think organisations can best manage this transition for their workforce?

NERIC has strong ties to education and technology. How will workforce development evolve in the context of the current manufacturing landscape and what initiatives are there for workers to gain the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly automated world?

How do you ensure new technologies are secure and that sensitive data is protected, particularly when robots are communicating with other systems?

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British Design Fund Chair, John Mathers, talks to Host Jeff Beacham about the Manufacturing & Design Start-Up arena.

• What do you see as the biggest challenges facing design-led startups in the UK today, especially in the manufacturing space?
• What inspired the creation of the British Design Fund and how has its mission evolved to support both commercial success and purpose-led design?
• Sustainability is a growing concern in many industries. How important is sustainable design to the British Design Fund when evaluating potential investments?
• How does the British Design Fund identify promising businesses to invest in and what criteria do you prioritize during the selection process?
• What role do you think innovation in design plays in reshaping traditional manufacturing processes?
• How has the design and manufacturing landscape changed in the UK over the past decade, and where do you see it heading?
• How would you describe the importance of collaboration between designers and manufacturers in creating successful products?
• What advice would you give to entrepreneurs or businesses in manufacturing that are looking to integrate more design thinking into their processes?
• Looking forward, what areas of design and manufacturing are you most excited about and how is the British Design Fund positioning itself to support those trends?

SME Manufacturing Growth - What are the growth challenges facing SME Manufacturers?

This is just one of the questions put to Adam Payne, Managing Director of New Way Growth on this episode of Insights4Mfg, by Host - Jeff Beacham.

Adam has a strong background in Manufacturing Leadership within the Automotive & Aerospace sectors. He has also built and runs numerous SME businesses himself that support UK Manufacturing through Business Improvements Consulting, Digital Production Optimization & Improvements Software and 3D Scanning, Rapid Prototyping and 3D Printing Machine Spares provision.

What are the most common growth challenges faced by SME manufacturers, and how can they overcome them?

What innovative marketing strategies can SMEs implement to enhance their visibility, branding and customer acquisition?

How crucial is technology adoption for SME manufacturers and what technologies should they prioritize when it comes to Manufacturing & Supply Chain?

What current market trends do you see impacting SME manufacturers and how should they adapt to stay competitive?

What key performance indicators should SME manufacturers focus on to measure their growth effectively?

How important is networking and collaboration among manufacturers and what strategies can SMEs use to build these connections?

What does the future look like for SME manufacturers and what steps should they take now to prepare for upcoming changes?

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Collaboration in Manufacturing is essential for individual businesses and the sector to innovate and grow. In this episode of Insights4Mfg, we shine the spotlight on MAN Group (Manufacturing Assembly Network) - a collaboration of complementary UK manufacturers providing a single source engineering and manufacturing solution for customers involved in numerous industry sectors. Featured Guest, Peter Davies - Co-Chair of MAN Group and CEO of James Lister & Sons speaks with Host Jeff Beacham about collaboration within the group, how MAN Group supports innovation and skills development, as well as some of the challenges facing SME Manufacturers currently.

Here's a timeline of the discussion topics:

00:01:20 Overview of MAN Group

00:04:55 Benefits of a collaborative approach

00:08:30 Sharing business challenges and brainstorming solutions as a collective

00:12:25 What challenges are other SMEs having?

00:15:42 Skills, Talent Development, Recruitment & Retention

00:17:14 Design & Make Challenge - June 2024 / 2025

00:23:45 Technology advancement how MAN Group members stay competitive

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Career Progression into Leadership is often a choice but sometimes in can present itself when you least expecting it. Insights4Mfg Host, Jeff Beacham talks to Michal Zajac - Plant Manager at Plastivaloire Northampton, about the journey he's been on over the last 10 years from Project Engineer to Project Manager, to Production Manager to Plant Manager within the dynamic and boundary-pushing Automotive sector. A story of inspiration for youngsters looking to get into Manufacturing or those already in manufacturing who have the ambition to achieve their career potential and develop into a Leader themselves.

Here's a timeline of the discussion topics:

00:02:00 What is special about UK Manufacturing for you and what does the future hold for Manufacturing here?

00:07:05 What challenges did you face during your progression and how have you overcome them?

00:11:35 Who were your key mentors or supporters, and how did they influence your growth as a leader?

00:15:50 What key skills do you believe are essential for aspiring leaders in manufacturing, and how are you developing your leadership style?

00:22:25 How can leaders in manufacturing better support and nurture talent within their teams?

00:25:10 What is the best piece of advice you would give to anyone considering stepping into a leadership role?

________________________________________________________________________

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Sustainability in Manufacturing is a huge topic and one that has as many challenges as benefits. Featured guest, Adam Dickins, Director of A.D Frameworks talks to Jeff about the importance of Sustainability in Manufacturing, some of the challenges and strategies to deploy and how technology is playing it's part in working towards net zero.

Key Points:

00:02:29 How do you define sustainability within the context of UK manufacturing, and why is it particularly important now?

00:06:29 What are the biggest challenges UK manufacturers face when implementing sustainable practices?

00:09:32 What are the most effective strategies that SME Manufacturers can adopt to reduce their environmental impact?

00:17:25 How do you see government policies influencing sustainability efforts in the manufacturing sector?

________________________________________________________________________

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Non-Executive Directors or NEDs are a valuable resource for any Boardroom. Insights4Mfg Host, Jeff Beacham talks to Martyn Jones - NED, Independent Business Advisor & Chartered Director about the benefits of having a Non-Executive Director on your board and some of the challenges associated in becoming a NED.

Here's a timeline of the discussion topics:

00:00:58 Why become a NED?

00:01:42 How does a NED role differ from a typical Executive?

00:03:00 What are the main benefits of having a NED on a Board?

00:07:03 As a Chair, how do you assess the impact of a NED on the performance of the company?

00:11:39 How would a NED influence strategic decision-making?

00:15:55 What advice would you give to someone looking to transition into a NED role?

00:23:25 How important is networking for aspiring NEDs?

00:27:17 What are the advantages of a portfolio career?

00:28:48 What challenges have you encountered as a NED and how have you navigated them?

00:36:02 What legacy do you hope to leave in the companies you work with?

Inspiring Women in Robotics is something that 'Robot Queen' Vanessa Loiola has become well-known for.

Insights4Mfg host, Jeff Beacham talks to Vanessa to find out about some of the challenges SME Manufacturers encounter when considering robotics deployment, Vanessa's inspiration to become a Robot Programming Specialist and how Manufacturing can encourage more females into the sector.

Here’s a timeline of the discussion topics:

00:01:44 What are the misconceptions SMEs have about robotics and how can these be addressed to encourage wider adoption?

00:08:45 What are some common challenges that SME manufacturers face when adopting robotics for the first time, and how can they overcome them?

00:12:26 For smaller manufacturers with limited budgets, what are the most cost-effective ways to integrate automation into their processes?

00:17:25 How can SME manufacturers assess which processes are best suited for robotics and where should they begin?

00:27:22 Who or what was your inspiration to follow a career path in Robotics?

00:31:20 How can we encourage more women into Robotics & Manufacturing?

00:45:30 What's next?

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