Digital technology's transformative impact on manufacturing took centre stage at a significant event held in Wolverhampton. Nearly 230 attendees gathered at Grand Station in Sun Street for the "Digital Technology: The Future of AME Supply Chains" event, highlighting the crucial role of technology adoption in advancing manufacturing processes.
Keynote speaker Brian Holliday, Managing Director of Siemens Digital Industries and Co-Chairman of the Made Smarter Commission, underscored the UK's manufacturing industry's global significance, ranking eighth globally in output value. Holliday emphasised the pivotal role of digital tools and platforms in modern manufacturing, enabling businesses to enhance sustainability, productivity, and efficiency through real-world process optimisation.
"Digital tools and platforms are increasingly underpinning modern manufacturing,"
stated Holliday, noting the benefits of immersive simulations and augmented reality in improving products and processes. He stressed the importance of incorporating technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and cloud computing to drive innovation and competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.
Dr. Mark Swift, Director of SME Engagement at WMG, University of Warwick, and Will Kinghorn, Technology Adoption Specialist at Made Smarter UK, provided insights into dispelling myths around digital manufacturing and discussed automation strategies for SMEs, respectively.
Mark Sage, Executive Director of the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance, shed light on how augmented reality can enhance operational efficiency, while Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer, shared his company's digital journey over the past decade.
Photo: Brian Holliday, Rowan Crozier, Rachel Eade, Will Kinghorn, Mark Sage, Dr Mark Swift, Photo Credit: West Midlands Combined Authority
The event, hosted by Rachel Eade MBE, featured presentations from industry experts and a panel discussion focusing on the West Midlands' manufacturing future. The panel included representatives from HORIBA MIRA, Make UK, West Midlands Combined Authority, The Technology Supply Chain, and Made Smarter West Midlands.
Attendees also had the opportunity to engage in a Meet the Buyer section with prominent organisations like Hitachi Rail and Coventry Very Light Rail, exploring supply chain opportunities in the Midlands.
Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub leads the Made Smarter West Midlands initiative, supporting SMEs in manufacturing and engineering sectors to access match-funded grants and expert guidance from WMG and the MTC.
Craig Humphrey, CEO at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, emphasised the importance of digital skills for manufacturers and highlighted the impact of Made Smarter West Midlands in enhancing productivity and enabling SMEs to engage in digital supply chains.
The event showcased the critical role of digital technology in shaping the future of manufacturing, empowering businesses to embrace innovation and drive growth in the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0.