Modern Manufacturing in the UK

At a Parliamentary Reception held at the House of Commons on the 15th June the issues of the future of modern British manufacturing were discussed. The key concerns voiced by those attending were ensuring that design and development stay in the UK, possible skill shortages, and the cutting of government legislation and guidelines. A number of politicians including Chi Onwurah MP, of the Labour Party and Andrew Griffiths MP, of The Conservatives and business leaders from within the manufacturing sector including Peter Morgan from Rolls Royce and David Bell of JCB were present at the reception.

David Bell, Chief Corporate Development Officer for JCB who opened the meeting stated ‘design and development are key and must stay in Britain. If design was to move overseas then the supplier base is likely to move as well’. One way that JCB have been seen to be addressing their concerns within the industry is through the opening of the JCB Academy. The Academy opens in September and will be admitting students from 14 to 19 with the idea of providing an education which focuses on manufacturing, whilst at the same time ensuring other national curriculum guidelines are met.

In terms of skill shortages emphasis was put on readdressing the image of manufacturing from the Victorian sweat shops to modern day manufacturing. We need to create a better image and re-educate the population in terms of how manufacturing has changed over the past century. Rajkumar Roy, Head of Manufacturing at Cranfield University recommended that we are seen to actively encourage students from across the sectors including those from the arts, engineering, business and management. We need to show students that manufacturing can offer future employees a variable option in their future careers.

David Bell stated Government must do more to simplify legislation. Many companies feel they are unfairly treated in terms of legislation and guidelines unlike other parts of the world such as China. It makes it difficult not only in staying up to date with key changes but being able to compete with overseas competition. Andrea Rodney, Director, Hone-All Precision Ltd went on to say that for small companies such as hers it is not possible to constantly read pages and pages of legislation and the key to helping companies such as hers stay competitive is by ‘keeping it simple’.

There was a clear and positive message that came out of the meeting. The government now realises how important manufacturing is to the economy and with major companies investing heavily in the future such as JCB there is a future industry for the next generation of workers.