2016 / 2017 MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

A YEAR IN PERSPECTIVE

FOREWORDS Th e Rt Hon Th eresa May MP Th e Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP Alan Mak MP

AUTOMOTIVE & AUTOMATION REPRESENATIVES Continental Tyres Terex Trucks Bowler Motorsport Durite Ebild-Robotraders Burnsides MöllerTech Phoenix Control Systems United Automation P&S Automation V Installations Th e Cartwright Group Coverzone RA Rodriguez (UK) Optimal Industrial Automation

FEATURES Review of the Year Review of Parliament

©2017 WESTMINSTER PUBLICATIONS www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk

Foreword

Th e Rt Hon Th eresa May MP Prime Minister

This year’s Parliamentary Review follows a significant deliver the next phase of high-speed rail, improve our year in British politics. It was a year in which our energy infrastructure and support the development of economy continued to grow, as the Government automated vehicles and satellite technology, building followed its balanced plan to keep the public finances a modern economy which creates the high-skill jobs of under control while investing to build a stronger the future. economy. It was a year in which we began to deliver At the same time, work needs to be done to build a on the result of the EU referendum by triggering Article fairer society – where people can go as far as their 50 and publishing the Repeal Bill, which will allow for a talents will take them and no one is held back because smooth and orderly transition as the UK leaves the EU, of their background. So we will continue to work to maximising certainty for individuals and businesses. ensure every child has the opportunity to attend a good And, of course, it was a year in which the General school. We will continue to invest in the NHS and reform Election showed that parts of our country remain mental health legislation, making this a priority. And divided and laid a fresh challenge to all of us involved we will work to address the challenges of social care for in politics to resolve our differences, deal with injustices our ageing population, bringing forward proposals for and take, not shirk, the big decisions. consultation to build widespread support.

That is why our programme for government for the So this is a Government determined to deliver the best coming year is about recognising and grasping the Brexit deal, intent on building a stronger economy opportunities that lie ahead for the United Kingdom and a fairer society, committed to keeping our country as we leave the EU. The referendum vote last year was safe, enhancing our standing in the wider world, and not just a vote to leave the EU – it was a profound bringing our United Kingdom closer together. We will and justified expression that our country often does continue to put ourselves at the service of millions of not work the way it should for millions of ordinary ordinary working people for whom we will work every working families. So we need to deliver a Brexit deal day in the national interest. that works for all parts of the UK, while continuing to build a stronger, fairer country by strengthening our economy, tackling injustice and promoting opportunity “ and aspiration. This year’s Parliamentary In the year ahead we will continue to bring down the deficit so that young people do not spend most of their Review follows a significant working lives paying for our failure to live within our “year in British politics means. We will take action to build a stronger economy so that we can improve people’s living standards and fund the public services on which we all depend. We will continue with our modern Industrial Strategy,

FOREWORD | 1 Foreword Foreword

Th e Rt Hon Alan Mak MP Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Philip Hammond MP Group (APPG) on the Fourth Industrial Chancellor of the Exchequer Revolution (4IR)

It’s been a long road back for the British economy. It is only by making sustained increases to our British manufacturing has come a long way since the Policymakers must create the conditions for innovation In 2009 our deficit was at a post-war high, our economy productivity that we can deliver the higher wages that dark days of the mid-1970s, when the Government to thrive with investment and political backing — setting shrank by 4.3% and millions feared for their jobs. will increase living standards and fund the improvement strategy of ’picking winners’ failed disastrously. the direction of travel — but not dictating the detail. Thanks to the hard work of the British people since of our public services. That is why I announced the Ultimately, businesses and sectors have a responsibility Instead of modernising outdated businesses, then, we have reduced the deficit by three-quarters, £23 billion of additional investment in infrastructure to organise themselves for success too. Industry Minister Tony Benn sought to prop up loss- we have been the second fastest growing G7 economy and innovation at the Autumn Statement last year, and making companies. Our bold modern Industrial Strategy sets out a vision for the past two years, 2.9 million net new jobs have why I launched an overhaul of our technical education of how government can take advantage of new been created and our employment rate is the highest system at the Spring Budget. At the same time, our rivals across Europe were technology, and nurture a flourishing manufacturing ever recorded. evolving, as the first wave of computers and semi- It is a good start, but there is more to do if we are industry without making the same interventionist automated machines changed working practices. In By controlling our public spending, backing business and to close the productivity gap with our competitors, mistakes of the past. the early 1970s, Volkswagen were facing financial creating the environment for enterprise and investment and build a strong economy to provide opportunity, difficulties but, embracing these changes, they produced In Parliament, a new generation of cross-party MPs are to thrive, we have got the UK economy back on track. prosperity and the funding for public services that this popular hatchbacks in the Passat, Golf and Polo which also ready to take this agenda forward, ensuring we country needs. I am determined to get on with the job. But now we face new challenges. The deficit is down came to dominate the market. capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Fourth but debt is still too high. Unemployment is at a 40-year This is how we can unlock the full potential of Industrial Revolution – especially as we enter a post- In Britain, the same era was defined by the low, but real pay growth is stagnating. And I understand our economy and create an economy that works Brexit trading environment which can herald a new era nationalisation of British Leyland, which became defunct that people are weary of the hard slog of repairing the for everyone. of British manufacturing and exporting. in 1986. We need to learn the lessons of the 1970s, as damage caused by Labour’s great recession. breakthroughs in technology today present the same The UK is becoming a global leader in everything from

All our progress could be put at risk if we listen to opportunities that the German automotive industry battery technology and autonomous vehicles to artificial those who say we should abandon the economic plan seized 40 years ago. intelligence and precision engineering. We learned the

that has brought us so far, just as we are coming to lessons of the 1970s, and through a smart state backing This Fourth Industrial Revolution has the power to create the final furlong. And it is up to all of us, in business new industries and nurturing innovation we can become We have“ been the second jobs and turbo charge our manufacturing industry. and in Government, across every sector covered by masters of the Fourth Industrial Revolution driven by a Juergen Maier, Chief Executive of Siemens UK, is The Parliamentary Review, to make the case, all over national manufacturing renaissance.

fastest growing G7 carrying out a government-backed review of industrial again, for a market economy, sound money and a digitisation alongside 200 British companies. He has

system that incentivises enterprise and innovation. “economy for the past two predicted that by leading, innovating and adopting This Fourth Industrial So I will stick to the plan to bring the public finances years digital, Britain could achieve productivity gains of up to back to balance, at a pace that supports the economy in 25% and manufacturing sector growth of up to 3% – Revolution has“ the power to the face of short-term challenges, and to make longer- all delivering annual growth of approximately 0.5% of “create jobs and turbo term changes. I will pursue a Brexit outcome that puts gross domestic product (GDP). jobs and prosperity first. And I will continue with my charge our manufacturing But in order to seize this opportunity we need a smart priority to build a productive and dynamic economy. state – not a big Government ‘picking winners’ with industry poorly targeted investment.

2 | FOREWORD FOREWORD | 3 Foreword

Alan Mak MP Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

British manufacturing has come a long way since the Policymakers must create the conditions for innovation dark days of the mid-1970s, when the Government to thrive with investment and political backing — setting strategy of ’picking winners’ failed disastrously. the direction of travel — but not dictating the detail. Ultimately, businesses and sectors have a responsibility Instead of modernising outdated businesses, to organise themselves for success too. Industry Minister Tony Benn sought to prop up loss- making companies. Our bold modern Industrial Strategy sets out a vision of how government can take advantage of new At the same time, our rivals across Europe were technology, and nurture a flourishing manufacturing evolving, as the first wave of computers and semi- industry without making the same interventionist automated machines changed working practices. In mistakes of the past. the early 1970s, Volkswagen were facing financial difficulties but, embracing these changes, they produced In Parliament, a new generation of cross-party MPs are popular hatchbacks in the Passat, Golf and Polo which also ready to take this agenda forward, ensuring we came to dominate the market. capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution – especially as we enter a post- In Britain, the same era was defined by the Brexit trading environment which can herald a new era nationalisation of British Leyland, which became defunct of British manufacturing and exporting. in 1986. We need to learn the lessons of the 1970s, as breakthroughs in technology today present the same The UK is becoming a global leader in everything from opportunities that the German automotive industry battery technology and autonomous vehicles to artificial seized 40 years ago. intelligence and precision engineering. We learned the lessons of the 1970s, and through a smart state backing This Fourth Industrial Revolution has the power to create new industries and nurturing innovation we can become jobs and turbo charge our manufacturing industry. masters of the Fourth Industrial Revolution driven by a Juergen Maier, Chief Executive of Siemens UK, is national manufacturing renaissance. carrying out a government-backed review of industrial digitisation alongside 200 British companies. He has predicted that by leading, innovating and adopting This Fourth Industrial digital, Britain could achieve productivity gains of up to 25% and manufacturing sector growth of up to 3% – Revolution has“ the power to all delivering annual growth of approximately 0.5% of “create jobs and turbo gross domestic product (GDP). charge our manufacturing But in order to seize this opportunity we need a smart state – not a big Government ‘picking winners’ with industry poorly targeted investment.

FOREWORD | 3 Andrew Neil Review of the Year

Return of the Two Party System Overview

The BBC’s Andrew Neil gives his take Nationalist party and a resurgent The referendum, however, reversed The UK is ‘top heavy’ in services, on the state of Parliament following Tory party representing the Union. the decline. The Brexit vote ended the with just 10% of gross domestic the June 2017 general election. Two-party politics was back north schism on the Eurosceptic Right as product (GDP) from manufacturing, of the border. UKIP voters returned to the Tory fold; although 68% of business research It was a year in which politicians and those on the Left of the Greens and development (R&D) is in learned not only of the power of So we should have been prepared and the Lib Dems flocked to Jeremy manufacturing. While the 10% a referendum to overrule the will for something similar when Britain Corbyn’s more ‘Red Flag’ Labour proportion is consistent with other of Parliament – but of its power voted 52% to 48% to leave the offering. So, as in Scotland previously, G20 countries (Britain is the 9th to change the party system in European Union in the June 2016 two-party politics was back with a biggest manufacturing economy), which they operate. Nobody saw referendum. At the time, we vengeance in England too. government recognises the need to this coming. But, in retrospect, remarked on the power of referenda diversify the economy. Increasing perhaps we should have, since we to overrule both the Commons But without one crucial element. Our the number of profitable, high-tech had the fallout from the Scottish (where MPs were 65% pro-EU) historic two-party system regularly manufacturing firms – often with well- referendum to guide us. and the Lords (probably 80% produced one-party government pro-EU). What we did not see was for the life of a Parliament. But our The Rt Hon Greg Clark paid jobs – is a good way. And with MP was one of several In the autumn of 2014 the Scots how the Brexit referendum would new two-party system has produced new technology and a more engaged speakers at the EEF Brexit, reshoring, better and cheaper voted 55%-45% to remain part of the reconfigure English politics just a hung Parliament with no party National Conference, media, the sector is being seen in technology, competition, digitisation United Kingdom. That was supposed as the Scottish referendum had having an overall majority. This addressing the challenges a new way by a greater number of and how people will work in the to settle the matter of Scottish knife-edge parliamentary arithmetic and opportunities people and is losing its ‘oily factory redrawn Scottish politics. that face the UK’s independence for a generation, until future have all converged to make means the smaller parties may be manufacturing sector worker’ stigma. some Scottish Nationalists began So we were taken by surprise for a down – but they are not out. manufacturing examine its place in the regarding a generation as no more second time. In this year’s general British economy more keenly than ever Technology, especially factory The Conservatives need an alliance than a couple of years. But in post- election – perhaps the single biggest before. That was evident at Engineering automation, is increasingly replacing with one small party (Ulster’s DUP) referendum elections to Holyrood act of self-harm a sitting government Employers’ Federation’s (EEF) National lower-skilled repetitive jobs, meaning to be sure of a majority. Even then, and Westminster, it also recast the has ever inflicted on itself – almost Conference in February where over 850 that more of the jobs that remain with the Tories and Labour divided Scottish party system. 85% in England voted either people swelled to hear from the Rt Hon require engineering skills, soft skills and Conservative or Labour. The English over Brexit, no majority on any issue Greg Clark MP, columnist Martin Wolf, management and are more enriching Remember, Scotland had been one had not voted in such numbers for will be certain and on many votes businesswoman Jo Malone and others and better paid than before. the smaller parties will be pivotal in of the first parts of the UK to throw both major parties since 1970, when about the importance of this once determining many outcomes. However, many sectors and businesses off the British two-party system the post-war two-party system began neglected sector. and replace it with a multi-party still rely heavily on semi-skilled, lower- to wane – and declined in subsequent So politicians return from choice of SNP, Labour, Tory, Green, The news, in general, is pretty good. paid work to assemble and process elections to a point where barely their summer recess to a great Lib Dem and even UKIP. But as the 65% voted Tory or Labour, products such as food and utility parliamentary paradox: the two-party There is the optimistic view and the constitutional issue took centre- encouraging some commentators to goods, and skilled specialist work such system has resurrected itself but rather more pessimistic view on the future of stage – and remained there even think the decline terminal. as car assembly, which is secure, is not than bringing with it the stability and manufacturing, the pessimism being after the referendum – Scottish highly paid. Brexit has boosted exports certainty of the two-party politics of driven by Brexit fears and a sharp fall voters coalesced round a binary by devaluing the pound, however old, almost every major vote in the in automotive investment this year to choice: for or against independence. it has increased input costs for months ahead will be uncertain and £644 million (forecast) from the £2.5 many firms which buy raw materials Thus was a new two-party system unpredictable – and politics will be billion it recorded in 2014. Some facts from Europe. born of a centre-left Nationalist peculiarly unstable. Power will rest in are unambiguous. Productivity in the party (the SNP) and a centre-right Parliament. Government will be able UK compared with our peer group in Generally, manufacturing as a sector Unionist party (the Scottish Tories). to take nothing for granted. No vote Europe is low, although this baffles has had a strong half year. The Markit will be in the bag until all the votes The other parties have not been many in manufacturing who have /CIPS UK manufacturing Purchasing are counted. Westminster will have completely obliterated, especially invested years in making their processes Managers Index (PMI), the widely- a new lease of life – perhaps even in Holyrood with its peculiar voting and people much leaner. In fact, EEF accepted barometer of manufacturing a spring in its step. Our democracy system. But by the general election can demonstrate that productivity in health, jumped to 57.3 in April from might be all the better for it. of 2017 Scotland had become the manufacturing sector is higher than 54.2 in March – the highest level a battle between a dominant in services. in three years. Forward to July and Neil believes two referendums have redrawn the map of British politics. 4 | ANDREW NEIL Andrew Neil Review of theMANUFACTURING Year & SERVICES

Return of the Two Party System Overview

The BBC’s Andrew Neil gives his take Nationalist party and a resurgent The referendum, however, reversed The UK is ‘top heavy’ in services, on the state of Parliament following Tory party representing the Union. the decline. The Brexit vote ended the with just 10% of gross domestic the June 2017 general election. Two-party politics was back north schism on the Eurosceptic Right as product (GDP) from manufacturing, of the border. UKIP voters returned to the Tory fold; although 68% of business research It was a year in which politicians and those on the Left of the Greens and development (R&D) is in learned not only of the power of So we should have been prepared and the Lib Dems flocked to Jeremy manufacturing. While the 10% a referendum to overrule the will for something similar when Britain Corbyn’s more ‘Red Flag’ Labour proportion is consistent with other of Parliament – but of its power voted 52% to 48% to leave the offering. So, as in Scotland previously, G20 countries (Britain is the 9th to change the party system in European Union in the June 2016 two-party politics was back with a biggest manufacturing economy), which they operate. Nobody saw referendum. At the time, we vengeance in England too. government recognises the need to this coming. But, in retrospect, remarked on the power of referenda diversify the economy. Increasing perhaps we should have, since we to overrule both the Commons But without one crucial element. Our the number of profitable, high-tech had the fallout from the Scottish (where MPs were 65% pro-EU) historic two-party system regularly manufacturing firms – often with well- referendum to guide us. and the Lords (probably 80% produced one-party government pro-EU). What we did not see was for the life of a Parliament. But our The Rt Hon Greg Clark paid jobs – is a good way. And with MP was one of several In the autumn of 2014 the Scots how the Brexit referendum would new two-party system has produced new technology and a more engaged speakers at the EEF Brexit, reshoring, better and cheaper voted 55%-45% to remain part of the reconfigure English politics just a hung Parliament with no party National Conference, media, the sector is being seen in technology, competition, digitisation United Kingdom. That was supposed as the Scottish referendum had having an overall majority. This addressing the challenges a new way by a greater number of and how people will work in the to settle the matter of Scottish knife-edge parliamentary arithmetic and opportunities people and is losing its ‘oily factory redrawn Scottish politics. that face the UK’s independence for a generation, until future have all converged to make means the smaller parties may be manufacturing sector worker’ stigma. some Scottish Nationalists began So we were taken by surprise for a down – but they are not out. manufacturing examine its place in the regarding a generation as no more second time. In this year’s general British economy more keenly than ever Technology, especially factory The Conservatives need an alliance than a couple of years. But in post- election – perhaps the single biggest before. That was evident at Engineering automation, is increasingly replacing with one small party (Ulster’s DUP) referendum elections to Holyrood act of self-harm a sitting government Employers’ Federation’s (EEF) National lower-skilled repetitive jobs, meaning to be sure of a majority. Even then, and Westminster, it also recast the has ever inflicted on itself – almost Conference in February where over 850 that more of the jobs that remain with the Tories and Labour divided Scottish party system. 85% in England voted either people swelled to hear from the Rt Hon require engineering skills, soft skills and Conservative or Labour. The English over Brexit, no majority on any issue Greg Clark MP, columnist Martin Wolf, management and are more enriching Remember, Scotland had been one had not voted in such numbers for will be certain and on many votes businesswoman Jo Malone and others and better paid than before. the smaller parties will be pivotal in of the first parts of the UK to throw both major parties since 1970, when about the importance of this once determining many outcomes. However, many sectors and businesses off the British two-party system the post-war two-party system began neglected sector. and replace it with a multi-party still rely heavily on semi-skilled, lower- to wane – and declined in subsequent So politicians return from choice of SNP, Labour, Tory, Green, The news, in general, is pretty good. paid work to assemble and process elections to a point where barely their summer recess to a great Lib Dem and even UKIP. But as the 65% voted Tory or Labour, products such as food and utility parliamentary paradox: the two-party There is the optimistic view and the constitutional issue took centre- encouraging some commentators to goods, and skilled specialist work such system has resurrected itself but rather more pessimistic view on the future of stage – and remained there even think the decline terminal. as car assembly, which is secure, is not than bringing with it the stability and manufacturing, the pessimism being after the referendum – Scottish highly paid. Brexit has boosted exports certainty of the two-party politics of driven by Brexit fears and a sharp fall voters coalesced round a binary by devaluing the pound, however old, almost every major vote in the in automotive investment this year to choice: for or against independence. it has increased input costs for months ahead will be uncertain and £644 million (forecast) from the £2.5 many firms which buy raw materials Thus was a new two-party system unpredictable – and politics will be billion it recorded in 2014. Some facts from Europe. born of a centre-left Nationalist peculiarly unstable. Power will rest in are unambiguous. Productivity in the party (the SNP) and a centre-right Parliament. Government will be able UK compared with our peer group in Generally, manufacturing as a sector Unionist party (the Scottish Tories). to take nothing for granted. No vote Europe is low, although this baffles has had a strong half year. The Markit will be in the bag until all the votes The other parties have not been many in manufacturing who have /CIPS UK manufacturing Purchasing are counted. Westminster will have completely obliterated, especially invested years in making their processes Managers Index (PMI), the widely- a new lease of life – perhaps even in Holyrood with its peculiar voting and people much leaner. In fact, EEF accepted barometer of manufacturing a spring in its step. Our democracy system. But by the general election can demonstrate that productivity in health, jumped to 57.3 in April from might be all the better for it. of 2017 Scotland had become the manufacturing sector is higher than 54.2 in March – the highest level a battle between a dominant in services. in three years. Forward to July and Neil believes two referendums have redrawn the map of British politics. 4 | ANDREW NEIL REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 5 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

industrial output has slipped. But, In January, the Government launched Scuoler says of the Industrial Strategy SMEs, and while they can never reach for industry, the UK is in stable and proposals for ‘a modern industrial ‘Politicians are becoming more them all, the innovation ecosystem modestly-growing territory. Other strategy to build on Britain’s strengths aligned with industry and its needs. that Catapults and Innovate UK countries are growing faster, though. and tackle its underlying weaknesses Catapults are being seen as valuable represent are helping SMEs, not only to secure a future as a competitive, and effective. They are reaching more big companies.’ ‘Everyone is looking at manufacturing. global nation.’ It is essential to take into context that much of the rest of the world is A systemic weakness in the doing much better,’ says Engineering manufacturing base and the economy The automotive sector and the Industrial Employers’ Federation’s (EEF) Chief restrains the levels of exports. Total Economist, Lee Hopley. ‘Global growth exports of goods and services in Strategy forecasts for many countries are ahead 2016 were circa £550 billion, with carmaker Volvo announcing it will of ours.’ manufacturing comprising 45% of this. only offer hybrid or electric cars by 2020, the first mainstream car original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to pledge this. Then, in late Industrial Strategy July, the Environment Minister, the Rt The Industrial Strategy, the detail of Hon Michael Gove, announced the which is expected to come in the 2017 Government will ban the sale of new Autumn Statement, is designed to diesel and petrol cars and vans from thread together current government and 2040 in a bid to cut air pollution. industry investments across research, However, environmental groups said industry, skills development, energy the proposals did not go far enough. and infrastructure. It is also expected to Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Warwick include new ambitious plans in areas Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the such as digitisation, robotics, artificial Michael Gove, as University of Warwick are to form a Environment Secretary, intelligence and energy storage, and partnership to carry out electric car announced a ban on Announced in January, one of four stitch these together into a single, research after WMG was awarded £5.7 new diesel and petrol early sector deals in the Industrial cogent national strategy. road vehicles being sold million by the Engineering and Physical in the UK, taking effect Strategy – covering digitalisation, Sciences Research Council in July. JLR It has 10 pillars, ranging from investing in 2040 automotive, nuclear and life sciences – recently unveiled its first battery electric in science, research and innovation to The Prime Minister Richard Parry-Jones of the Automotive vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE Concept, rebalancing growth across the whole received a short tour Council will lead work to accelerate country, by providing development top pillar: investing in research and of the facilities at the which will be on the road in 2018. National Science and the transition of car manufacturing to funding for big infrastructure upgrades development (R&D) and developing skills. Innovation Campus while ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs). Also part of WMG’s car electrification such as the Midlands Rail Hub and It says skills shortfalls in some parts of launching proposals research, the Energy Innovation Northern Powerhouse Rail. for building a Modern The step change to ULEV involves several the country contribute to imbalances Industrial Strategy Centre is a new battery research technologies and industry expertise, for ‘The Industrial Strategy is crucial,’ says in productivity in the UK, as shown and testing facility that was fully design engineering and manufacturing. Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive Officer in a recent Confederation of British booked and hired more staff in 2017. The two biggest areas are battery of the manufacturers’ organisation, Industry (CBI) report, highlighting However, the opening of WMG’s technology/electric powertrains, and the Engineering Employers’ Federation education and skills as the biggest National Automotive Innovation (EEF). ‘Currently the economy is on an determinants of regional variations in lightweighting. A multitude of research Centre, a £300 million large-scale even keel and manufacturing is quite productivity. It pushes for more and in both disciplines is taking place in 2017 manufacturing test bed for next robust. While the sun is shining you fix better technical training. at British universities and car companies, generation cars with electric and the roof, and Government has seen we while Britain’s prospects of playing a key hybrid powertrains, has been delayed In the Budget, the Government have to do it now,’ he emphasises. role in the ULEV revolution were given until 2018. announced new money for technical a huge boost with BMW’s confirmation education to fund the new T-Level One automotive institution devoted The strategy is full of good things, of it will be the manufacturer of the new which industrialists across the board, qualification for technical education. to new and low carbon-power MINI electric. from the silver-haired director to the The Government said it was ‘the most technology is the Advanced Propulsion 20-something design engineer, will ambitious post-16 education reform The focus on ULEVs in the Industrial Centre (APC). It is having a good year. approve. Few would argue with its since the introduction of A-levels.’ Strategy was followed in June by Garry Wilson, Director of Business

6 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

Scuoler says of the Industrial Strategy SMEs, and while they can never reach ‘Politicians are becoming more them all, the innovation ecosystem aligned with industry and its needs. that Catapults and Innovate UK Catapults are being seen as valuable represent are helping SMEs, not only and effective. They are reaching more big companies.’

The automotive sector and the Industrial Strategy

carmaker Volvo announcing it will only offer hybrid or electric cars by 2020, the first mainstream car original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to pledge this. Then, in late July, the Environment Minister, the Rt Hon Michael Gove, announced the Government will ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2040 in a bid to cut air pollution. However, environmental groups said the proposals did not go far enough.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the Michael Gove, as University of Warwick are to form a Environment Secretary, partnership to carry out electric car announced a ban on Announced in January, one of four research after WMG was awarded £5.7 new diesel and petrol early sector deals in the Industrial road vehicles being sold million by the Engineering and Physical in the UK, taking effect Strategy – covering digitalisation, Sciences Research Council in July. JLR in 2040 automotive, nuclear and life sciences – recently unveiled its first battery electric Richard Parry-Jones of the Automotive vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE Concept, Council will lead work to accelerate which will be on the road in 2018. the transition of car manufacturing to ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs). Also part of WMG’s car electrification research, the Energy Innovation The step change to ULEV involves several Centre is a new battery research technologies and industry expertise, for and testing facility that was fully design engineering and manufacturing. booked and hired more staff in 2017. The two biggest areas are battery However, the opening of WMG’s technology/electric powertrains, and National Automotive Innovation lightweighting. A multitude of research Centre, a £300 million large-scale in both disciplines is taking place in 2017 manufacturing test bed for next at British universities and car companies, generation cars with electric and while Britain’s prospects of playing a key hybrid powertrains, has been delayed role in the ULEV revolution were given until 2018. a huge boost with BMW’s confirmation One automotive institution devoted it will be the manufacturer of the new to new and low carbon-power MINI electric. technology is the Advanced Propulsion The focus on ULEVs in the Industrial Centre (APC). It is having a good year. Strategy was followed in June by Garry Wilson, Director of Business

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 7 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

Development at the APC, says ‘Since trialled in London throughout the year, This situation – low-technology annual growth of approximately the APC was set up in 2013, we have an important step in improving the air adoption but devotion to lean practices 0.5% of GDP. A recent survey KPMG facilitated investment of over £520 quality in cities,’ says Wilson. – in the UK has been identified by conducted on behalf of the Society million into more than 30 innovative the leadership team producing the of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, However, the shift to low-emission projects involving more than 120 Industrial Digitalisation Review (IDR), a identified the cumulative single sector vehicles is not without controversy. organisations – safeguarding or big component of the Industrial Strategy benefit of automotive digitalisation at Researchers are calling for the creating more than 19,000 jobs and Green Paper, as a huge opportunity for £74 billion by 2035.’ introduction of energy rating labelling saving 27 million tonnes of CO2.’ Britain. The draft IDR says ‘we see an for all motor vehicles, after it was The review also claims that the opportunity for the UK to differentiate In the first half of 2017, the APC revealed that green regulations are faster adoption of industrial digital itself in this digital industrial revolution.’ awarded £62 million to seven misleading customers about the technologies (IDT) can become a key pioneering British projects, led by environmental benefits of lightweight ‘The relatively flexible and competitive driver of improved productivity, global organisations including Jaguar Land aluminium engines. Organisations must be UK labour market has allowed competitiveness and increased exports. Rover, Williams Advanced Engineering sensitive to the needs A study by Boston Consulting said that of workers, while many companies to achieve world Cranfield University found that a and BMW Motorsport. It also made utilising the efficiency class productivity at lower levels of by fully applying these technologies up to £35 million available to UK typical car with an aluminium engine and precision automation. This will provide an even over the next decade, UK industrial of automated innovators through its eighth grant would need to be driven for between stronger competitive advantage with production would be up to 30% faster production funding competition. ‘The APC has 185,000km and 560,000km before any Industry 4.0 technologies like ‘Cobots’, and 25% more efficient. One key gain also funded a project that will see 20 emission reductions were made from where humans work in harmony from digitalisation is the potential to plug-in hybrid Ford Transit Custom vans lower fuel use. with advanced technologies to create move manufacturing back to the UK highly agile businesses attuned to the from low-wage economies. changing needs of their customers.’ A core subject for the future of Automation and productivity Culturally, it seems, the British manufacturing is jobs. Mass scale workforce can ‘do automation’ and automation and digitalisation has In Britain, the low use of capital smart factories, but historically it has had the reputation as a job destroyer. equipment compared with many not wanted to spend the money on it. ‘People, culturally, don’t like investment competing countries is well documented. because they perceive it will remove Regardless of whether or not UK jobs. But if you don’t invest, people For fixed capital investment, the UK factories are behind or ahead, there is a will lose their jobs as the plant shuts has ranked in the lowest 10% of very compelling business case to adopt down because it’s not efficient,’ says all Organisation for Economic Co- digital technologies. The IDR also says Victoria Montag, Sector Head, Industrial operation and Development (OECD) ‘It has been recognised that by leading Automation at Gambica. Gambica is the countries for 16 of the last 21 years. Industrial Digitalisation, the UK has the UK trade association for the industrial It has also invested on average 2–3% potential to realise industrial efficiency automation, control, instrumentation of gross domestic product (GDP) gains of up to 25%, manufacturing and lab technology sectors, and is less than France, Germany and the sector growth of 1.5–3%, delivering heavily involved in developing the IDR. US. In the adoption of the previous industrial revolution of automation, or Industry 3.0, again the UK scores The UK must adopt low. For example, the 2016 IFR world increased automotive Jobs, pay, work and pensions robotics report identified that the UK productive due to structural and processes in its operations, or face Engineering Employers’ Federation’s Unite, Britain’s largest manufacturing has 33 robots per 10,000 employees cultural reasons such as the successful being outclassed by (EEF) annual Manufacturing Fact Card union, says that employees in the (excluding automotive), compared with adoption of lean manufacturing international competitors shows that pay within the sector private sector over the last two years France at 75 (nearest comparator) while techniques. In recent years, the UK continues to outpace services and have suffered the same downward Germany leads Europe at 170/10,000. has also slipped behind in the race to move to an Industry 4.0 or 4IR system the whole economy average, being pressures on pay as experienced by This low investment in automation of manufacturing, where technology up 1.9% (2015 vs 2014) or 3% those in public services such as the and digital technology, is one reason can be more responsive and enable compared to 2013. Average pay in NHS, where the majority of health why the UK economy has frustratingly the business demands of the future, the manufacturing sector in 2016/17 staff have seen their pay in real terms low productivity compared with such as the mass personalisation of is £31,489, in services it is £26,825, eroded by 17% since 2010. Cases such our peer group, even though many goods. Adoption of such technology is and £27,607 is the average for the as the recent multi-year pay deal on manufacturing businesses are particularly low among SMEs. whole economy. behalf of over 2,000 workers employed

8 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

This situation – low-technology annual growth of approximately adoption but devotion to lean practices 0.5% of GDP. A recent survey KPMG – in the UK has been identified by conducted on behalf of the Society the leadership team producing the of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Industrial Digitalisation Review (IDR), a identified the cumulative single sector big component of the Industrial Strategy benefit of automotive digitalisation at Green Paper, as a huge opportunity for £74 billion by 2035.’ Britain. The draft IDR says ‘we see an The review also claims that the opportunity for the UK to differentiate faster adoption of industrial digital itself in this digital industrial revolution.’ technologies (IDT) can become a key ‘The relatively flexible and competitive driver of improved productivity, global Organisations must be UK labour market has allowed competitiveness and increased exports. sensitive to the needs A study by Boston Consulting said that of workers, while many companies to achieve world utilising the efficiency class productivity at lower levels of by fully applying these technologies and precision automation. This will provide an even over the next decade, UK industrial of automated stronger competitive advantage with production would be up to 30% faster production Industry 4.0 technologies like ‘Cobots’, and 25% more efficient. One key gain where humans work in harmony from digitalisation is the potential to with advanced technologies to create move manufacturing back to the UK highly agile businesses attuned to the from low-wage economies. changing needs of their customers.’ A core subject for the future of Culturally, it seems, the British manufacturing is jobs. Mass scale workforce can ‘do automation’ and automation and digitalisation has smart factories, but historically it has had the reputation as a job destroyer. not wanted to spend the money on it. ‘People, culturally, don’t like investment because they perceive it will remove Regardless of whether or not UK jobs. But if you don’t invest, people factories are behind or ahead, there is a will lose their jobs as the plant shuts very compelling business case to adopt down because it’s not efficient,’ says digital technologies. The IDR also says Victoria Montag, Sector Head, Industrial ‘It has been recognised that by leading Automation at Gambica. Gambica is the Industrial Digitalisation, the UK has the UK trade association for the industrial potential to realise industrial efficiency automation, control, instrumentation gains of up to 25%, manufacturing and lab technology sectors, and is sector growth of 1.5–3%, delivering heavily involved in developing the IDR.

Jobs, pay, work and pensions

Engineering Employers’ Federation’s Unite, Britain’s largest manufacturing (EEF) annual Manufacturing Fact Card union, says that employees in the shows that pay within the sector private sector over the last two years continues to outpace services and have suffered the same downward the whole economy average, being pressures on pay as experienced by up 1.9% (2015 vs 2014) or 3% those in public services such as the compared to 2013. Average pay in NHS, where the majority of health the manufacturing sector in 2016/17 staff have seen their pay in real terms is £31,489, in services it is £26,825, eroded by 17% since 2010. Cases such and £27,607 is the average for the as the recent multi-year pay deal on whole economy. behalf of over 2,000 workers employed

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 9 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

at luxury carmaker Bentley are the include this proposal in its General pipeline,’ says Engineering Employers’ for engineering technology in our exception rather than the norm. Election manifesto. Federation’s (EEF), Terry Scuoler. opinion [German Industry UK and ‘They take apprenticeship training the German British Forum] goes too Weak demand in the economy is not Unite claimed the increase in the seriously; it did not need a levy.’ far in terms of an apprenticeship, helped by below inflation pay deals – or retirement age meant that workers but still lacks educational and no rise at all – as the Consumer Price would be paying for failed economic In Bob Bischof’s submission on commercial content. The intermediate Index (CPI) rate of inflation stands at policy under the Conservative apprenticeships to London First this year apprenticeship hardly deserves the 2.6% (July 2017). Wages are badly Government. It says raising the state it said ‘The Government in England has name. The advanced apprenticeship is lagging behind inflation, Unite says, pension retirement age to 68 between tried to standardise apprenticeships the nearest to European standards. The while Stock Exchange performance, 2037 to 2039 will be detrimental somewhat following our submission attainment rates are shockingly low.’ at recent record highs, suggests to workers, especially if you have Unite the union and differentiates now into big companies have the necessary a physically-demanding job or are argues that private intermediate (level 1 and 2), advanced The researchers for London First cash reserves. suffering ill-health, and they called for sector pay for (level 3) and higher apprenticeships believe that attainment levels for some the majority of this proposal to be reversed. (level 4–5). The latter, which is the basis apprenticeship courses can be as low However, the majority of private sector employees in manufacturing has for the SEMTA higher apprenticeship as 10%. jobs come from small and medium- Unite Assistant General Secretary for steadily eroded sized enterprises (SMEs). The Federation Manufacturing, Tony Burke, said ‘Brexit of Small Businesses says 60% of all dominates economic and fiscal policy. private sector employment in the UK is ‘As a union, we are seeking a ‘Jobs Engineering degrees and degree from SMEs and in manufacturing it is First’ Brexit where every aspect of the thought to be much higher. apprenticeships negotiations is set against whether The state pension age was due to this will create secure and well-paid over the next couple of years, says increase to 68 between 2044 and employment in a country with a strong Henriette Fordham at the Higher 2046. Under new proposals that industrial base. To this end, we are Education Funding Council for England have to be agreed by parliament, this calling on Business Secretary, Greg (HEFCE). Many higher education will move forward to between 2037 Clark, to put flesh on the bones of the providers, including universities, and 2039. The Government did not Government’s industrial strategy.’ further education colleges and private providers, are developing programmes based upon the increasing number of degree apprenticeship standards. The Apprenticeship Levy Several institutions have been provided Government knows Britain needs with funding through the Degree to increase its technically-trained Apprenticeship Development Fund to develop new provisions to be delivered workforce. The Industrial Strategy Expansion of degree apprenticeships could from the academic year 2017/18. green paper says ‘We had a record help close skills gap According to university admissions 2.4 million apprenticeship starts in the body UCAS there has been a drop ‘While they do not involve a financial last parliament, and we are on track to in undergraduate applications for cost for the apprentice, they do involve deliver a further 3 million by 2020, with all degrees from both British and EU working in paid employment for the closer links to employers through the students in 2017. The number of majority of the week and, as a route towards a higher education, qualification new apprenticeship levy.’ applications from overseas students for post-graduate engineering courses they can be challenging,’ says HEFCE’s Opting for the stick over the carrot has also fallen in the past year. Partly Fordham. ‘We expect them to approach, the Apprenticeship Levy complement traditional higher education Engineering degree in response to university tuition fees of routes, which will continue to appeal came into force in April this year. It apprenticeships are up to £9,000 per year and sub-optimal to potential students, but as employers affects employers with an annual to both train their staff properly and set to expand as an application rates, degree apprenticeships effective method of look to spend their available levy funds pay bill of £3 million or more who qualify for the allowance. closing the skills gap are a new and growing route through on opportunities to develop their existing are now required to pay effectively employment and higher education. While many manufacturing employers workforce and recruit new skilled staff a tax at 0.5% of their pay bill. An understand the logic of the system, The small number of degree we expect that an increasing number will apprenticeship allowance of £15,000 the imposition of extra business costs apprenticeships currently being delivered consider degree apprenticeships as one offsets the levy. This gives employers was far from popular. ‘[Employers] is expected to increase substantially of a variety of options.’ an incentive to offer apprenticeships, understand a need to build a talent

10 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

pipeline,’ says Engineering Employers’ for engineering technology in our Federation’s (EEF), Terry Scuoler. opinion [German Industry UK and ‘They take apprenticeship training the German British Forum] goes too seriously; it did not need a levy.’ far in terms of an apprenticeship, but still lacks educational and In Bob Bischof’s submission on commercial content. The intermediate apprenticeships to London First this year apprenticeship hardly deserves the it said ‘The Government in England has name. The advanced apprenticeship is tried to standardise apprenticeships the nearest to European standards. The somewhat following our submission attainment rates are shockingly low.’ and differentiates now into intermediate (level 1 and 2), advanced The researchers for London First (level 3) and higher apprenticeships believe that attainment levels for some (level 4–5). The latter, which is the basis apprenticeship courses can be as low for the SEMTA higher apprenticeship as 10%.

Engineering degrees and degree apprenticeships

over the next couple of years, says Henriette Fordham at the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Many higher education providers, including universities, further education colleges and private providers, are developing programmes based upon the increasing number of degree apprenticeship standards. Several institutions have been provided with funding through the Degree Apprenticeship Development Fund to Expansion of degree develop new provisions to be delivered apprenticeships could from the academic year 2017/18. help close skills gap According to university admissions body UCAS there has been a drop ‘While they do not involve a financial in undergraduate applications for cost for the apprentice, they do involve all degrees from both British and EU working in paid employment for the students in 2017. The number of majority of the week and, as a route applications from overseas students towards a higher education, qualification for post-graduate engineering courses they can be challenging,’ says HEFCE’s has also fallen in the past year. Partly Fordham. ‘We expect them to in response to university tuition fees of complement traditional higher education routes, which will continue to appeal up to £9,000 per year and sub-optimal to potential students, but as employers application rates, degree apprenticeships look to spend their available levy funds are a new and growing route through on opportunities to develop their existing employment and higher education. workforce and recruit new skilled staff The small number of degree we expect that an increasing number will apprenticeships currently being delivered consider degree apprenticeships as one is expected to increase substantially of a variety of options.’

REVIEW OF THE YEAR | 11 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of the Year

Digitalisation

From BMW’s MINI to B&W Speakers, from GlaxoSmithKline to the £2 million contract pharmaceutical manufacturer, from Southampton to Aberdeen, companies are using more digital technology to find business efficiencies.

Sometimes this can be a simple IT upgrade, sometimes it can be a multi-million pound, fully-automated production line. Very gradually, and mainly at large companies, the UK is moving towards an industrial base that will be using cyber physical systems, digital twins and machine GlaxoSmithKline is learning, where humans intervene one of several large and industry at the heart of a new organisations to take very little and machines and products global industrial revolution much advantage of advances talk to each other, navigating in digital technology like it was over 170 years ago when autonomously around the factory and we [Siemens] first started doing where personalised mass production business here.’ can be a reality. This process, which has several names including By late July the IDR had directly Industry 4.0, 4IR, smart factory and engaged with over 200 companies. connected factories, has become The IDR team will now submit the an obsession with supporters of proposal as part of a sector deal by manufacturing, business groups and the end of July. This will be negotiated the manufacturing trade press. over the summer recess, then – providing Government reaches an As part of the Industrial Strategy, the agreement – made into policy in the Government initiated the industrial autumn. The details of the IDR are Jürgen Maier, CEO of digitalisation review, or IDR, led by Siemens UK, is chairman expected within the Industrial Strategy Jürgen Maier, Chief Executive Officer of the industrial in the Autumn Statement. digitalisation review of Siemens UK and Ireland. Maier commissioned by the says ‘Our review is about defining government how the UK can best adopt radical new technologies that will boost productivity and create new high- tech jobs across manufacturing and industry. We want the end result to be a sector deal for manufacturing that makes a real difference to companies regardless of their size or market.’

‘It is not yet too late for the UK to take the global lead in this space, but we are in danger of falling behind if we do not take up the challenge now. So our aim is to position UK manufacturing

12 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

Continental Tyres

Continental develops advanced automotive systems and tyres for a safer world

David Smith, Managing Director magine a world with zero accidents, injuries or fatalities on the road. A bold ambition that Continental and its five divisions in the UK are working toward as one of the top automotive suppliers. FACTS ABOUT I CONTINENTAL TYRES »»Continental was Founded in There’s no avoiding the uncomfortable truth there are still 1.24 million people killed 1871 globally on roads every year – pretty much one person every six seconds. In the UK »»In 2016, Continental generated that’s almost five fatal road accidents a day. sales of €40.5 billion and employs more than 227,000 These accidents place huge pressures on our road network and emergency services. people in 56 countries Increasingly we are looking to technology for solutions to limit such incidents whilst »»One in three new vehicles also educating motorists. produced in Europe come fitted with Continental tyres The Vision »»Continental completes more than 700 million test miles Continental’s ‘Vision Zero’ initiative comes from a business that makes everything on annually and uses more than a car other than its shell, right down to the sole contact point with the ground, tyres. 200 rubber compounds daily The premise is simple; through Continental’s know-how and safety systems, our »»Continental is one of the top road networks should see zero accidents, injuries or fatalities. The vision aims to automotive suppliers globally address all those active on our roads, from drivers to fleet operators, to safety »»Continental is the ‘Partner bodies and cyclists. in Excellence’ at Mercedes- Benz World, combining high Continental systems are helping to make this vision a reality. From premium tyres performance with a passion to automated vehicles and safety systems, Continental believes in transporting for safety people safely, whatever the mode of transport – from cars to trucks and the »»Working closely with adidas,Adidas, mixed operating spaces with pedestrians and cyclists. Continental now plays Continental brings advanced a key role in educating all these groups at the UK’s biggest cycling event, tyre technology to the soles of trainers Prudential RideLondon.

CONTINENTAL TYRES | 13 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

provides a responsible compromise between safety, economics and driver confidence. Many government vehicles and emergency services already change at 3 mm because of such safety concerns, so it is surprising that more motorists are not made aware of this.

Not only are drivers unaware of the safety issues of tyres at 1.6 mm, but two thirds of UK motorists admit to not knowing that this is the legal limit. Through frequent consumer Vision Zero: Through its engagement, Continental raises automotive expertise, awareness about this important topic. Continental is working on Vision Zero is anchored in the advanced driver systems as part of its commitment to company’s corporate strategy. Its Market driver and road safety CEO, Elmar Degenhart, states publicly that accidents belong in the past; Over the last 145 years, Continental has helped shape the automotive an ambition to which all road users landscape. The UK is a leading market can relate. for innovation and Continental is Tread carefully uniquely placed to support all mobility solutions. UK Continental business Continental is known fundamentally units are diverse, from tyres to brake

Continental’s as a tyre business and this plays a systems, interior electronics, chassis significant part in Vision Zero. The components and marine hoses,

CEO, Elmar contact patch of a car tyre is similar employing over 500 people with this in size to a postcard, so the safety combined vision. “Degenhart, “ implications are huge. Currently it’s states accidents estimated an astonishing 10 million Commitment tyres on British roads could be illegal As a business, Continental strives to belong in a and dangerous. improve road safety for all forms of museum With 1.6 mm the legal limit for car tyre transport. Across the UK, commercial tread depth, tests show that tyres at vehicles operating with Continental’s this level are only performing at 55% ContiPressureCheck Tyre Pressure efficiency, meaning stopping distances Monitoring System (TPMS) allow are greatly increased in wet conditions. fleet managers to monitor tyre pressures automatically and prevent As part of Vision Zero, Continental dangerous blowouts and roadside recommends the optimum time tyre breakdowns. Suddenly, coned off to replace worn tyres is when the motorway lanes for tyre changing are a Globally, Continental is working towards a world of tread depth reaches 3 mm, as this thing of the past. zero fatalities, injuries and accidents on our roads

14 | CONTINENTAL TYRES MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

A partnership with the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) through its ‘Stop the Crash’ campaign has further enhanced Continental’s status as a leader in automotive technology and safety. At the London Motor Show Continental brings safety to the streets, educating motorists about the simple tyre safety checks all drivers should undertake, whilst highlighting its latest safety systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). In 2017 over 1,200 drivers experienced At the forefront of tyre first hand the impact of safe tyres development, Continental and AEB technology during live of tyre safety, as well as technology offers superior grip and demonstrations. This highlighted comfort in all driving and promoting wider road safety. situations Continental’s commitment to This significant investment by the consumer engagement and how such brand typifies its belief in a safer safety systems can help contribute to road network through education and its Vision Zero initiative. driving experiences. Within the tyre industry itself, Locally, Continental has also started Continental is a founding member to work with the University of Oxford of TyreSafe, an industry body with a in the field of artificial intelligence, longstanding commitment to raising aimed at developing vehicle systems consumer awareness around defective for future application in autonomous and part-worn tyres on our roads. driving, supporting Continental’s long- Driver education plays a key part in this term vision for safer roads through and over the last 10 years Continental the use of pioneering research and has worked to raise awareness of tyre technologies. safety month and the simple checks all Continental is motorists should regularly undertake, This focus has also contributed to such as checking tread depth and industry recognition, with Continental more than tyres tyre pressures. winning Tyre Manufacturer of the “as we develop “ Year 2017 by trade journal Tire Part of this approach relates to Technology International. changing attitudes, achieved through pioneering driver research and consumer Through its commitment, Continental technologies for activity. As a ‘Partner in Excellence’ at can imagine a world with zero Mercedes-Benz World, Continental accidents, injuries or fatalities. An safe mobility has educated over 1,000 motorists ambition that Continental has set out on the differences between summer at a global level, with its UK business and winter tyres. We share a passion playing a pivotal role. Working with for safety with all car manufacturers, safety bodies and governmental which is why one in three cars departments, Continental sees driver manufactured in Europe leaves the education as vital in this road map. factory fitted with Continental tyres. Through educating all who use our In 2017 and 2018 Continental is busy road network, the leading travelling the country to deliver Vision automotive supplier truly believes in a Zero Live, educating the trade, media safer road ahead for all. and consumers on the importance

CONTINENTAL TYRES | 15 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Bowler Motorsport

Bowler Nemesis competing in the Moroccan Taureg Rally

Bowler Bulldog prototype, the motorsport variant of the patented CSP platform owler is the original UK manufacturer of dedicated off-road competition cars. Started in 1985 by Drew BBowler, the company is now one of the best known and most successful manufacturers of rally raid cars in Europe. This competition experience is now creating opportunities in the military and emergency services sector where speed, agility and reliability are very desirable attributes.

This small Bowler vehicles have always been based on Land Rover componentry and have evolved in parallel with the Land Rover product range. This is a unique relationship Derbyshire- and a clear unique selling proposition (USP) for Bowler.

“based company Bowler employs 35 full time staff in Belper, Derbyshire, for the development, design is internationally and manufacture of race and road cars. It has secured private and public sector

recognised as funding to grow and exploit the new military and civilian opportunities it currently has. Bowler’s latest model, the Bulldog, and its revolutionary in-house designed Cross Sector

producers of Platform (CSP), has the potential to fill a gap in the market for low-volume, purpose- some of the built, vehicles across all race, road, utility, military and emergency service sectors. best rapid and“ CSP: Cross Sector Platform agile all-terrain In September 2014, discussions with the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry (UKTI), DSO – Defence Services Organisation, Foreign and Commonwealth vehicles Office (FCO), serving officers and individuals from the civilian security and close available protection sector highlighted the desirable characteristics for a vehicle designed to fill some of the many roles that were previously undertaken by the Land Rover Defender.

16 | BOWLER MOTORSPORT MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

BOWLER MOTORSPORT’S 32-YEAR HERITAGE »»1985 – Drew Bowler begins making and selling competition cars from his home in Derbyshire and Bowler Motorsport begins. The 88” wheelbase Tomcat is a popular car for UK national trial and hill rally events, and Bowler begins to sell into Europe »»1991 – Drew Bowler wins the ARC National Comp Safari in a Tomcat and begins to develop it »»2000 – Bowler competes in the world-famous Dakar Rally in Africa for the first time and races in central Europe with the Wildcat that evolves and becomes popular with privateers and small teams as a reliable, fast and robust car »»2005 – Bowler’s largest ever Dakar entry means it’s the second largest factory team after Mitsubishi and has the highest rate of finishers. A Bowler Wildcat wins both the British Baja National Championship and the French Baja »»2008 – Richard Hammond declares himself a ‘driving god’ in a Bowler Wildcat and Bowler builds the Nemesis, while developing the EXR. The Bowler EXR-S is revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and is driven up the hill in the Supercar class – beating many supercar rivals »»2012 – Bowler agrees a formal brand partnership with Land Rover across sponsorship, marketing and engineering and begins development of the Defender Challenge »»2016 – The Defender Challenge grows with more teams and more rounds, the Defender Challenge rally kit is launched and development of the CSP-based Bulldog begins. Company founder Drew Bowler sadly passes away in November »»2017 – A new senior management team is formed to continue developing Bowler with the desire and passion of which Drew would have approved. Development of the CSP platform via the prototype Bulldog rally car enters motorsport and hot-climate testing while developing other CSP platform variants for the civilian and military sectors

Bowler’s FEA Finite Element Analysis repairable structure, using readily - (FEA) optimised the CSP concept from available high-grade steels. a clean-sheet design, drawing on Engineered to accept a range knowledge gained over three decades of engines, it offers a variety of of competition and the technical wheelbases, tracks and drive partnership with Jaguar Land Rover. configurations and can accept payload CSP aims to offer a virtual Meccano requirements of between 500kg assembly method, incorporating the and 2000kg, with a gross vehicle strength and lightness of monocoque weight (GVW) of up to 4000kg. construction and the simplicity of Bowler Bulldog undergoing ladder-frame construction with the performance testing versatility of spaceframe construction, plus improved operator ergonomics, speed and agility over any terrain. Reliability, ease of service and repair and being air transportable are among other key considerations.

The CSP vehicle is not a Defender replacement but it is designed to fill many roles where the Defender was traditionally used.

The CSP design and manufacturing concept uses simple construction methods and materials to produce bespoke ultimately variable platforms with simple tooling producing a lightweight, robust and easily

BOWLER MOTORSPORT | 17 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

»BOWLER BULLDOG CSP SPECIFICATION Bulldog

»»Engine 2993cc single-turbo JLR TDV6 turbodiesel The Bulldog rally car is the first variant – just one version of the (CSP) concept. »»Power and torque 300bhp and 500 lb ft approx Bowler knows that racing improves the »»Transmission ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic with semi-automatic breed and is using motorsport as one of mode, two-speed transfer box, limited-slip differentials front and rear the stages of development to prove that »»Independent suspension front and rear, bespoke front and rear its concept works under the harshest subframes, anti-roll bars and two-stage hydraulic bump stops. of competition conditions. 3.0-litre Coil springs with remote reservoir dampers Land Rover turbodiesel V6-powered »»JLR electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering Bulldogs lead Bowler’s official return to international level competition in 2017. »»JLR vented brake discs front and rear »»Weight 1800kg approximately The Morocco desert-based Tuareg Rally in March was used as the first test venue. The Bowler development cars finished sixth, eighth and tenth. On the fifth day of the event the testing limitations were lifted on one of the Bulldogs and it became the fastest car of the day by a margin of over four minutes.

The Bulldog’s current Defender-based body panels were chosen purely for the sake of simplicity, availability and anonymity, enabling its inclusion in a test programme within home and international rally events. Under the skin, it’s actually far more Range Rover than Defender. With independent coil- sprung suspension, bespoke subframes, All CSP vehicles will have common brakes, steering and with Jaguar Land Bowler, a and simple electrical architecture Rover (JLR) power units and driveline company and drivetrain, plus consistent spares components. Concentrating on what support and servicing knowledge. Bowler are best at: strength, robustness “producing all- There is also the option of overseas and chassis design, the idea is that any manufacture/assembly. body type could sit on the platform, terrain vehicles depending on customer need. The CSP is the basis of Bowler’s with a proven The potential for the platform, cycle plan for the next six to eight which is arguably the most years, and has required the firm to pedigree of important new Bowler design since performance completely rethink the way it operates, the 1999 Wildcat, is huge. CSP’s implementing a process and way of unique technology means it can be

and reliability, working that some would previously assembled in an infinite number consider impossible. Bowler has been of ways: any wheelbase length or

based on results granted a patent on the chassis design width; any number of axles; for any and manufacturing process and has application. One-offs can be made spanning over “ secured funding from the Government- cost-effectively. Bowler is already 25 years in backed Automotive Manufacturing looking actively at other uses and Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) via permutations, including a 6x6 off-road the Society of Motor Manufacturers version, live axles, higher payloads motorsport and Traders (SMMT) to develop and and forward controls. produce the platform.

18 | BOWLER MOTORSPORT MANUFACTURING & SERVICES Optimal Industial Automation

Optimal exhibiting at the Achema exhibition in Frankfurt

Dave Richards and Martin Gadsby, owners of Optimal he world of factory automation is complex and fast moving. Optimal was set up to enable manufacturers Tto automate their plants using the most up-to-date technologies. From our early days, working in the food sector we quickly progressed to highly-regulated sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and aerospace. We built up the Optimal team to provide a full service to our clients from initial conceptual design, through full hardware and software specification to FACTS ABOUT OPTIMAL INDUSTIAL build, installation, testing and post-sales support. Our current AUTOMATION team consists of some 70 people working from purpose-built »»Set up in 1987 premises in Bristol. »»Wholly owned by Martin Gadsby and Dave Richards »»Provides automation services Pharmaceuticals – an industry in transition mainly to the pharmaceutical, chemical and aerospace Since our first contact with pharmaceutical manufacturing in 1989, the industry industries has been undergoing a slow but seismic change in the way it produces medicines. »»Employs 70 people in Yate, As with all sectors, change has involved the use of automation equipment and Bristol techniques such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributed Control »»Turnover of approximately Systems (DCS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). Optimal £5.5 million has been instrumental in designing and installing these for many of the major companies and have worked closely with the major equipment suppliers such »»Supplies software and as Siemens, Rockwell and Emerson to deliver the cost-effective, high-quality hardware worldwide manufacturing solutions that our customers demand. »»synTQ software product widely regarded as industry Before any pharmaceutical product can be released to a patient, regulatory bodies standard such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the American Food and Drug

OPTIMAL INDUSTIAL AUTOMATION | 19 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Administration (FDA) enforce stringent What is PAT controls on manufacturers to ensure PAT can be summed up by the that all drugs produced meet definition produced by the FDA in 2004 acceptable specifications and are safe (Ref: PAT – A framework for innovative and effective for patients. Traditionally, pharmaceutical development, this process has been done by carefully manufacturing, and quality assurance). validating the production process, then ensuring that process never changes. There are a number of substantial PAT is the Whilst this method has provided safe gains to be made by embracing PAT in and effective drugs for many years it is pharmaceutical manufacture instead future for not an ideal methodology for several of traditional validation methods.

“companies reasons including: These include:

looking for »»Input materials can change over »»At all stages of the manufacturing time, possibly affecting the final process the product can be product higher quality,“ monitored to check that critical »»All drug batches must be characteristics are maintained at the lower cost quarantined and tested before they highest quality and faster are released »»Manufacturing methods can be »»Manufacturing methods are ‘Set optimised by obtaining real time production in stone’. Improvements cannot quality feedback be made without re-registering »»Process improvements can be the product (a costly and time implemented easily and quickly consuming procedure). »»The need for quarantine and For these and other reasons the testing of the product is reduced or pharmaceutical industry is moving even removed. Real Time Release towards the use of sophisticated real (i.e. product is manufactured and time analysis techniques (such as Near shipped directly to market) becomes Infra-Red and Raman Spectroscopy, a reality. Particle Size Distribution analysis etc.) Thus, PAT is now being introduced to monitor the product rather than by all the major pharmaceutical just the process. These techniques are manufacturers worldwide. known generically as Process Analytical PAT can save time, Technology (PAT). decrease costs and What has this got to do with improve quality Optimal? There are a multitude of challenges when introducing any PAT-based Cost manufacturing system, not least how to handle the vast volumes of data being generated by new instruments. This is where Optimal’s PAT Data Management tool, synTQ, is used. PAT Typically, even very simple PAT-based processes require data integration from several disparate sources such as: Quality Time »»Configuration, control and data acquisition from many spectral and univariate instruments from different suppliers

20 | OPTIMAL INDUSTIAL AUTOMATION MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

»»Data exchange with sophisticated manufacturers to move from batch multivariate analysis software to continuous manufacturing with packages stunning results. Some have reduced »»Data exchange with control devices manufacturing times from 30 days to

such as PLCs, DCSs and SCADAs. 90 minutes. This technology need synTQ is rapidly not be limited to just pharmaceutical synTQ is rapidly becoming the industry manufacturing – it is equally becoming the standard PAT implementation tool by applicable to any process. “industry“ allowing a process scientist to easily and quickly design a workflow to The future of Optimal looks very standard PAT positive with the demand for carry out all these tasks and save it in traditional batch processing as well as a secure database. These workflows implementation continuous processes seeming to be then form the central core of any PAT very healthy at present. Additionally, tool process. The production process can we are very proud to be part of a then be controlled automatically by movement which is enabling process synTQ and the resultant data saved in industries to be at the forefront of the same secure database. We have a manufacturing technology, in turn proven track record of successful real delivering higher quality and lower world installations and synTQ has been cost products to consumers around adopted as the standard PAT data the world. management tool by many leading manufacturers. Continuous pharmaceutical What’s ahead? manufacturing line

Current pharmaceutical manufacturing is largely batch based whereas modern manufacturing philosophy is moving more and more towards continuous methods. Whilst the challenges involved in designing and running a robust continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing line are substantial, Optimal and synTQ have already played a significant role in helping several leading pharmaceutical

OPTIMAL INDUSTIAL AUTOMATION | 21 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Ebild-Robotraders

Robotic assembly and welding cell for an automobile component supplier

Motoman Mig Welding Robot he manufacturing industry today is vastly different from how it was in the 1980s. In particular, the car making FACTS ABOUT industry has seen major technological changes. What EBILD-ROBOTRADERS T we see when we visit a car showroom in no way reflects the »»Ebild Limited was formed in 2004 whilst Robotraders amount of work planned, designed, manufactured and installed Limited was formed in 2007 in car plants throughout the world. We buy our cars based on so as to be able to add robotic reliability, price, economy and style with absolutely no idea how and mechanical solutions to they are put together and with no knowledge of the absolutely our skill base enormous investment and know-how that motor manufacturers »»Between the two companies we have up to 30 employees and their suppliers possess. including people on long-term contracts Fortunately today, an army of robots and automated equipment around the globe »»We have close working relationships with companies has enabled mass production of vehicles on a scale previously never seen before. in Spain, Italy and Turkey Robots have changed the world in a positive manner, not just in car making but in all areas of industry. Whatever you eat today has more than likely been packaged »»Our customer base includes and palletised by robots, and even surgery is now carried out by ‘collaborative major companies such as JLR, robots’ that mimic human arm movements. Without doubt any production vehicle Ford Motor Co., Gestamp UK and IBC Vehicles within the built on a production line that you drive today will have been almost entirely automotive industry as well manufactured and assembled by robots. as companies within the food Our story started in the 1980s at a time when robots were first being used in industry the car industry. The future Managing Director, Jamie Gustard, was then a time- »»We also support large served mechanical technician and had been working at a local Luton machine tool automation suppliers such manufacturer that actively built and installed robot-automated production lines. as FFT, Comau UK, Expert It was here that he gained the experience and knowledge required to start Ebild- Automation and VDL Steelweld Robotraders some years later.

22 | EBILD-ROBOTRADERS MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

Today the company supports many any changes can then be implemented businesses worldwide by providing outside of production with reduced risk technical resources and robot-automated and the customer can have complete equipment across a range of industries satisfaction that all of their equipment from car assembly and the welding will meet the required criteria before Customers are and handling of components to food and during its commissioning period. packing and stacking of goods on the most We have a team of dedicated robot pallets. By providing robotic automation programmers, robot technicians and “important part to our customers we have enabled process engineers who can support our them to reduce their costs and improve of our global customer base. These customers quality while also speeding up the are the most important part of our process of manufacture. We provide a business and business and our aim is to try to develop comprehensive package that includes a working relationship with them rather our aim is to providing our customers with new than the outdated buyer and seller and second-hand robotic equipment. try to develop philosophy. To complement these skills Whether as an individual robot or part we also have a team of robot technicians of a complete working installation, a working who can repair and refurbish second- customer training and after sales support hand robots in our own workshop. relationship is integral to ensuring that the customer

Refurbished robots are an affordable is fully competent, both in operating and with them solution for customers who have short- maintaining the equipment after the term contracts or for customers who rather than project is completed. need a lower level of investment as they the outdated “ More recently we have invested in a take their first steps into automation. To Siemens ‘Process Simulate’ design and ensure the smooth day-to-day running buyer and programming software system so as of any business, skilled management is to be able to support our customers. crucial and our managers and project seller ‘Process Simulate’ allows us to ‘build’ staff can liaise with the customer to philosophy the complete production line in the discuss their requirements and offer virtual world. This means that all of the advice as to the best and most cost- equipment that is to be installed, will effective solution for them. be fully designed and tested prior to, or Training for our customers is also a during, the installation period. As well as vital part of the package that we can confirming all of the technical solutions, offer. We can supply both in-house A basic ABB Mig the required operational cycle times can and on-site training courses to ensure welding robot set up. also be verified. A very popular Mig that the operators and maintenance welding package ideally The overall benefit of this new suited for medium-sized technology is to offer customers welding projects greater productivity due to less down time, increased production hours and improved accuracy and repeatability which is crucial for many of today’s high- tech processes. It also enables any further changes to the process, to be carried out off-line without affecting on-the- job programming changes – thereby removing the workforce from dangerous or hazardous processes and improving their personal health and safety. This gives a huge advantage to the line- builder as improvements can be made to equipment while production is being run;

EBILD-ROBOTRADERS | 23 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

A small industrial ABB robot and A very reliable Japanese robot Fanuc Robots are another control unit which is ideal for that is popular in Europe and the very popular Japanese laboratory and class room projects USA. They are becoming popular robot throughout Europe as well as small automation in the UK due mainly to their and Asia. They are also handling and assembly projects affordability very user friendly

personnel can competently operate is an important part of any project and and maintain their robots to be able has to be considered from day one. We to ensure the day-to-day smooth supply all of our customers with risk running of their equipment. As well assessments and method statements Looking ahead, as training our customers we also look so as to be able to demonstrate to them to carry out our own in-house training that all of our activities are implemented we realise that courses for potential programmers and in a safe and controlled manner. All of “we need to robotic engineers. We have found that our manufacturing, testing, installation there are many young people leaving and programming procedures have remain education who can quickly grasp the been approved and we have the competitive, basics required to become a junior services of a trained health and safety programmer. With experience, they representative to investigate and advise without can progress to become a senior robot should the need arise. programmer. To speed up the transition, Looking ahead, we realise that we compromising initially we try to place our junior need to remain competitive, without programmers into the workplace with our ability to compromising our ability to maintain and one of our own senior programmers. increase our customer base, while at the Like many occupations, experience maintain and same time trying to find new business gained is crucial and is essential for our opportunities. To this end, we are now increase our continuing customer support. working closely with our partners in

customer base, Again, as with most companies, Turkey on a joint venture in the solar

while at the we recognise the need for regular power industry, providing technical improvement within our own support for the automatic production of solar panels for use worldwide. We same time trying“ operations, and we can proudly say that our Health and Safety systems are Safe realise that nothing can be taken for to find new Contractor accredited. Safe Contractor granted, and the challenge is to try business is a government-run scheme to enable to improve our operations, find new organisations to provide competent business and to continue doing the opportunities suppliers with the correct Health and things that we are good at… only better! Safety procedures. Health and Safety

24 | EBILD-ROBOTRADERS MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

MöllerTech

MöllerTech Team

Clayton John Harding, Managing Director öllerTech is a tier 1 automotive injection moulding manufacturer employing 330 people. We supply Minterior and exterior injection moulding assemblies to BMW, Toyota and Honda. We are part of the MöllerGroup who have been in existence since 1730.

FACTS ABOUT MöllerTech »»Part of the MöllerGroup, one of the oldest family business in Germany »»Founded in 1730 by Theodor Möller The Journey »»One of the first companies to supply plastic parts for vehicle Following the economic crisis in 2010 the Möllergroup decided to focus on Kaizen interiors as the business strategy, because we realised that we needed to improve our »»The MöllerGroup operates in flexibility, reduce complexity and produce a higher quality level to our customers. many markets across Europe, At this time both our German automotive plants started their own journey. North America and Asia Following several new launches at MöllerTech Wales, we were faced with many problems and we had an urgent need to:

»»Reduce rejects by the customer

»»Implement one piece flow concepts

»»Reduce our stock levels

So in February 2013 we started our own journey into Kaizen.

MÖLLERTECH | 25 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

route that put us into the comfort zone ‘The Wave’ – that could be a suitable title for the journey of the of the accent. This meant we applied MöllerTech plant in Cwmfelinfach, South Wales, has been on. Sudden a standard ‘Copy & Paste’ approach growth of business turnover caused many problems regarding waste to Kaizen, which led to our lack of (especially over-production and quality issues) until the management consequence, confusion, departmental was forced to act. And the reaction was remarkable: instead of barriers and a thinking that ‘the tool abandoning the existing production system, that obviously didn’t alone will fix our problems’ make the plant work cost-efficiently enough, the plant management prescribed itself a ‘90 Day Live or Die’ – Programme for a restart. We realised that we needed to fix the Realising that a production system can’t be successful without an culture first then apply the tools. improvement culture, they focused on a culture in a way, the jury had not seen before. The key point being the mobilisation of the entire So we started and went back to basics workforce, mutual and lived respect and joint enjoyment of Kaizen with three simple guidelines: within the organisation. 1. Keeping things simple. – Quote from Agamus Consult GmbH 2016. 2. Create an action right now Between February 2013 and 2015 we environment (where we see made many improvements in the plant problems as our friend). but we were still suffering from: 3. Listen more to the people.

Our strategy »»High reject levels at the customer. We now entered the next Phase of our

was simple, »»The improvements we made journey, focusing on the people and were not reflecting in our Key culture, and this was the start of our “we set no plan“ Performance Indicators. ‘90 day Live or Die’ activity. and we set no »»We did not get the return in our Our strategy was simple, we set no plan target to earnings before tax result (EBT). and we set no target to achieve. Why? Simply because in 90 days if we focused So after two years of implementation on what normal people would do i.e. achieve we realised together that although we analyse the top issues in the plant and implemented many Kaizen tools we fix them, we would never understand grasped that something was missing the issues behind the gap in the culture. or wrong. So we set ourselves a 3D vision of what We reflected on our journey and we wanted to achieve in the whole identified that we had not really company during the 90 day activity. started at the base of the mountain, As part of the strategy there were we concluded that we took the easy three key elements put in place that form the backbone of our improvement activity:

1. Reflex Plan – Our fixed and frozen production plan for the whole plant handwritten on paper by 11:30am daily and tracked every 15 minutes.

2. Daily Karawane – our management Genba meeting covering all areas of the business from out to in. This meeting takes place at 09:00am until 10:30am every day and is fully supported by all the management and key members of the organisation.

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3. 15 day Kaizen Compression – »WINNERS OF THE AUTOMOTIVE LEAN this is how we have successfully PRODUCTION AWARDS 2016 implemented Kaizen as part of our »»OEM: Audi AG, Plant Neckarsulm daily life, every 15 days we set new Kaizen improvement projects across »»International Group: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Plant all departments of the business so Coburg we are really making improvements »»Supplier International SME: Möllertech UK Ltd., Plant Cwmfelinfach everyday across the whole plant, »»Special Award ‘Smart Digital Operations OEM’: FCA Italy S.p.A., this is also supported by all Plant Melfi managers daily. »»Special Award ‘Digital Operations Supplier’: Robert Bosch GmbH, Can you imagine that every day, the Plant Blaichach/lmmenstadt whole management team and other key members spend from 09:00am until 10:30am in a daily Karawane at Genba, and then from 11:30am until 11:50am present the kaizen activities over the past 24 hours, managing over 50,000 actions per year raised in the Karawane, and still manage to leave on time at the end of the working day?

This is what we have successfully achieved at MöllerTech Wales Ltd.

The results achieved were over and above everyone’s expectations. We successfully removed all departmental Consult as 2016 Medium-sized company barriers within the plant and created European Agamus Lean Production one team. Although we set no target Award, the first ever company outside in measurable terms we saw the mainland Europe. following impacts:

Not resting on our laurels, in January Although we »»Overall equipment efficiency (OEE) 2016 we launched our 48 hour set no target in “ increased by 18% Synchro System from finished goods »»Production value per employee to goods in reducing the stock levels “measurable (productivity) increased by 19.6% further to create more problems in the »»We reduced our finished goods organisation as ‘problems are truly our terms we saw inventory down by 51%. best friend’. many impacts »»Our total cost of poor quality (COPQ) reduced by 54%. »GLOSSARY »»All resulting in strong EBT performance. Kaizen – Kaizen refers to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees. Two years on and the results are still growing, with over 50,000 actions put in Genba – This is known as the real place, where something happens. place, Kaizen is now part of everyone’s working life, and a simple and effective Karawane – Our daily management walk and Genba meeting that production system developed resulting reviews open actions and performance, then creates new actions in in a culture hardly seen anywhere else. each area. I can only say it’s an absolute pleasure 48hr Synchro System – Our production concept with reduced stock to work in such a team. This is how levels that creates a pull concept to assembly and injection based on on top of other awards we achieved the daily customer demand. the prestigious award from Agamus

MÖLLERTECH | 27 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice V Installations Mechanical Handling

Gary Fox, Managing Director and Andrew Griffin, Business Consultant, outside V Installations Headquarters Installations Mechanical Handling (VIMH) are experts in the provision of engineering solutions for mechanical V handling projects from specialised purpose-built unit applications, to reorganisation and/or refurbishment of FACTS ABOUT V INSTALLATIONS customers’ existing systems. In addition, we offer a turn-key MECHANICAL HANDLING capability for complete material handling projects. Our current »»VIMH is a leading designer, focus ranges across the UK automotive industry, however we manufacturer and installer of mechanical handling solutions have branched out into other sectors too. to the manufacturing industry »»The business has a significant Our roots go back into the mid 1980s. I created VIMH in Bromsgrove in 2002 track record in the automotive following the transfer of the business from its founder. I joined the founder sector company in 1986 aged 20 as a young sales and contracts manager from an existing »»Key Tier 1 longstanding customer. Within a couple of years I led the business into the automotive industry partner customers include JLR, as a Tier 1 supplier and took responsibility for much of the strategic development of BMW, Bentley and Nissan business which is recognisable in VIMH today. During those formative years, learning »»The business operates from a about business was very much on-the-job. modern manufacturing facility in the West Midlands Business has not always been straightforward. During the financial crisis difficult trading conditions meant that survival was my key priority. To keep the factory running VIMH took some unusual work on, including projects as far away as Russia and also a prestigious roofing project at a well-known sports arena in London. The lessons learnt in the early days of business management have stood me and VIMH in good stead.

28 | V INSTALLATIONS MECHANICAL HANDLING MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

Market activities handling solutions for Just in Time (JIT) delivery of cockpit, wheel and It is our VIMH is one of the UK’s leading tyre, seats and bumper delivery technical know- experts in providing solutions for systems. This system transported the mechanical handling projects. These finished components from the delivery“ how, experience include the development of bespoke vehicles to the point of fit at the centre and our ability conveyor and automated solutions that of the main vehicle assembly line, enable manufactured products and ensuring that the parts arrive at the to project their components to be transported same time as the vehicle they for which throughout our customers’ production they are designated. This needed manage the processes. Our customers are generally to be achieved without crossing or installation and large international businesses in the compromising the already very busy manufacturing and logistics sectors. other delivery routes and walkways. commissioning

Within the automotive world we have The first obstacle was, of course, of production long-standing relationships with Jaguar offloading the components from the

Land Rover (JLR), Nissan, Bentley delivery vehicles. We achieved this by lines or and BMW. For some customers, this kitting out the delivery vehicles with upgrades that “ relationship is further strengthened by their own 24-volt on-board, heavy VIMH having full time representation duty powered roller conveyors with differentiates within their manufacturing facilities. associated safety stops, clamping This enables engineering solutions mechanisms and programmable logic us from our to be resolved not only as problems controller (PLC) systems. competitors occur, but also on occasions beforehand, thereby preventing The delivery systems, which utilised production downtime. the existing building structures, incorporating false lorry systems, Not all our business is within the numerous elevators, shuttles and automotive sector. Our non-automotive turntables and approximately two customers include JCB, GKN and miles of roller conveyors. This Perkins. In addition to Tier 1 original provided JIT delivery systems that equipment manufacturers (OEMs) we enabled JLR to improve their onsite Image of in floor slat conveyor and battery work closely with several international logistic efficiencies. care environmental line builders such as Thyssen Krupp, management system Kuka, and VDL Steelweld. (EMS) project for JLR

The business has prospered alongside the growth in UK car production. Over recent years JLR alone has invested huge amounts into the UK economy as have many other automotive Tier 1 manufacturers who have expanded their production capacity. It is our technical know-how, experience and our ability to project manage the installation and commissioning of production lines or upgrades that differentiates us from our competitors.

Technology in action

At the highly productive JLR plant at Solihull we were tasked with devising highly-complex mechanical

V INSTALLATIONS MECHANICAL HANDLING | 29 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

partnership with VDL Steelweld and their customer Tesla on their new generation vehicles in California.

Management vision

At VIMH we have recognised the need to create a stable, capable management team. Rapid growth over the last few years has been managed through investing in people ahead of the curve. I have also significantly benefitted from accessing an outside mentor to support me in my role as Managing Director.

Two new directors have been appointed this year to add to the business’ managerial strength and depth. The business also recognises the Factory assembly test need to develop its own engineering being implemented on a talent and has an apprenticeship new lift section UK-based with global reach programme. I believe that it is important to be able to hand on an VIMH employs 50 people from opportunity to those youngsters, just our innovative, purpose-built as I received in the 80s. headquarters in Solihull. This facility was opened in 2015 by Lord Digby Our vision is clear, we want to be the Jones and is a modern 30,000 sq mechanical handling solution provider ft manufacturing operation. Prior of choice within our chosen markets. to this we operated from three The business is clearly focused to offer separate locations in Bromsgrove and the best engineered solution to our Our vision is Coleshill which at times introduced customers’ requirements. logistical inefficiencies. clear, we want The business also has a strong eye to “to be the The investment in quality is paramount our corporate social responsibility. We and includes all facets of our business believe that we have a role to play mechanical including people, environment and in the wider community supporting

facilities. We have a modern shop those people in society whose needs handling floor and design facilities that enable are great. For example, the business

solution us to meet our customers’ demanding provided support to take 10,000 specifications. The attention to detail children through KidsOut, a national provider of “ is ever more important in a world children’s charity, on a theme park day that requires the highest quality out last year. choice within as standard. As uncertainty and risks increase within our chosen It is not only within the UK that we the world there remains one certainty; markets have a strong presence but also to remain successful the need to over recent years we have been innovate and invest is paramount. developing an overseas presence with Employing high calibre individuals who representation in Michigan USA. The can make a difference will help us mechanical handling industry world- thrive in a post Brexit world for years wide has many opportunities and a to come. recent success includes working in

30 | V INSTALLATIONS MECHANICAL HANDLING MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

United Automation

Production floor where the products are manufactured

Dean Fashoni, General Manager or modern day manufacturers, continuous improvement is critical. Dean Fashoni, General Manager at United FAutomation, details how the producer of power control applications went about developing and implementing a three- FACTS ABOUT UNITED year business transformation project which will establish the AUTOMATION LIMITED company as a world class manufacturer. »»Based in Southport »»Designs and manufactures power control applications for United Automation is a family-run business which has been under its current industry sectors and market ownership for around 30 years and the business has seen steady growth. segments including end The company is one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of industrial users, distributors, contractors power control products and has achieved this position as a result of their technical and original equipment strengths and a dedication to customer service. manufacturers (OEMs) »»Became one of the first small The business has performed well in the last two decades and over that period has and medium sized enterprises seen steady growth. However, more recently, maintaining margins and finding new (SMEs) in the North West customers has become more challenging. to achieve accreditation o˝in the recently upgraded Around 18 months ago, we decided that if the company was to meet these ISO 9001:2015 standard challenges, respond to the changing market place and embrace the opportunities available, wewould have to undertake significant changes across the whole company. »»Member of the Liverpool Enterprise Partnership Advanced Developing the strategy Manufacturing board »»Export Champions (North We quickly realised that the strategy had to be based on building the capability and West) – 2015, 2016 and 2017 improving the performance of our business processes, our people and our products. »»Member of the Made in To do this, I sought outside help and advice from the head of the Liverpool Britain Campaign Enterprise Partnership Advanced Manufacturing board.

UNITED AUTOMATION | 31 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

People

We believe that the strength of an organisation lies in the quality of its people and its success is determined by the strength of its leadership. We have improved management structures, clearly defined associated job roles and competencies requirements and identified actions required to improve effectiveness of the management team.

Like many UK SMEs manufacturers, sourcing skills has been our Achilles heel. Measures have been taken to address this, with the skills issue taken fully into consideration in our business improvement plan. Our aim is to recruit additional people, along with Upstairs open office the upskilling of existing employees. To The organisation referred me to a this end, we are now working with our programme they are endorsing called local academic institutions. Manufacturing Matters – Build a We have one undergraduate Better Business, delivered by Strategies participating in a business for Success Ltd and supported by the improvement project and using Manufacturing Technology Centre, this as the basis for their final year Liverpool John Moores University project. With help from our local (LJMU) and Skills for Growth service. college and the skills for growth The support This programme also gave us access fund, we will be providing selected to two leading experts in world- employees with training in business being provided class manufacturing and change improvement techniques. “by the Liverpool management. With the crucial Our strategy is to focus on providing guidance of these experts, we believe all of our employees with quality of Enterprise becoming world class can be a reality. work life so that we can establish and

Partnership is Tapping into the talent pool of maintain a reputation as a preferred academic institutions is especially employer and thereby ensure we are

able to attract and retain people of the the key to the important for SMEs and offers a required quality. lot of value. This programme is success of our“ providing United Automation with In the first half of 2017 we have business the additional support needed to recruited a production team leader transformation ensure the successful development and we continue recruiting for a and introduction of the business materials management team leader, a strategy transformation strategy. manufacturing engineering manager, a product designer, a manufacturing We are an advocate of not working engineering technician and a in isolation and the support from sales coordinator. the Liverpool Enterprise Partnership has been crucial. In this day and Processes age, manufacturers should always look to make full use of these So far, a business planning and valuable partnerships. business improvement process has

32 | UNITED AUTOMATION MANUFACTURING & SERVICES been introduced. In addition to this, Improvements to workplace an action-based strategic business plan organisation are being made to for growth that focuses on building achieve more effective control of capability and improving performance material flow and inventory. All back has been established. office activities are being reviewed to identify and eliminate non-value-added Our current business management activities, improve work practices and processes have been appraised against the effectiveness of IT systems. best practice, the priority areas for We believe to improvement have been identified and In addition to this, an improved process achieve as a result improved processes have for determining product cost and been introduced for: ensuring a pricing policy is effectively “ sustainable applied has been introduced. »»Managing and improving business business and job performance and An improved process has also been engaging employees in continuous implemented to ensure technical growth we

improvement activities feasibility and commercial viability is established on all potential new must strive to »»Managing organisational and

business opportunities, before employee development and ensuring continually acceptance of the order. Working with skill shortages are identified and strategic partners within the higher improve “ eliminated via recruitment of education sector, we will look to additional people and upskilling of develop the next generation of power business existing employees control products. capability »»Managing and improving customer relationships and resolving customer We have identified the commercial performance concerns opportunities arising from new technological development associated »»Managing supply chain and with our product range. Products improving supplier performance using this new technology are »»Managing operations and improving currently too expensive but costs productivity and quality could be reduced by developing the »»Developing and introducing product design and manufacturing new products including the methods. In tune with our development and documentation collaborative approach, we will look of the manufacturing and quality to establish a joint project with LJMU assurance system. to exploit this opportunity.

Our strategy objective of achieving Example of product best practice business management design on SOLIDWORKS process was further validated when United Automation become one of the first SMEs in the North West to achieve accreditation of the recently upgraded ISO 9001:2015 standard.

2017 and beyond

This year our focus will continue to be on improving productivity and quality, reducing costs, building our customer base and engineering capability whilst developing and introducing new products.

UNITED AUTOMATION | 33 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Coverzone

Coverzone Kalahari fitted indoor dust cover

Richard Barton, Michael Pidcock & Lee Franklin at the 2017 Automechanika show, Birmingham he UK’s automotive sector continues to flourish and is now releasing ever increasing numbers of new models and Tunique designs. Coverzone specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke car and bike covers and it is reassuring to know that they have been adding new cover patterns at the rate of four per week taking their impressive range to FACTS ABOUT Coverzone over 800 fully fitted variants for new models, classics and rare »»Established in Worthing, sportscars. They have recently accelerated their annual growth West Sussex in 2002 by over 20%. »»Holds stock of over 14,000 vehicle covers

»»UK factory in Halesowen, Why cover a car you may ask? Whilst modern cars are manufactured to deal with West Midlands all extremes of weather, a car unattended for an extended period of time can suffer »»Manufactures car & bike from paintwork fade, scrapes, knocks, scratches and UV damage to the interior. covers from over 800 unique Even cars that are stored indoors may require regular attention or cleaning unless patterns a cover is fitted. Add to that the additional security aspect and the convenience »»Expected 2017 Turnover of not scraping ice from the screens on winter mornings and you will see that £1.8 Million Coverzone has a wide appeal! »»Employs 14 Staff Coverzone products are made of premium quality materials and are designed to »»Network of stockists both in deliver the highest levels of protection to all vehicles that are stored outdoors or in UK & overseas the garage.

Richard Barton, Managing Director commented ‘When I started the business in 2002, I identified there were many poor quality, cheap universal covers on the market as well as bespoke covers that were very expensive but made to order. This resulted in a delay to the customer of around three to four weeks.

34 | COVERZONE MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

Coverzone Stormforce outdoor 4 layer car cover With our market leading range we maker has an iconic car to reveal at the have bridged this gap to produce fitted premiere, they seek our assistance to covers for most production vehicles make a beautiful body hugging cover that are both bespoke and ready to go. that conceals the identity of the car Our company now boasts a stock level whilst accentuating the lines of the of over 14,000 car and motorcycle bodywork and styling.’ We are now covers ready for next day delivery At Coverzone business is brisk and has being sought across the UK and customers wanting continued to grow year on year despite a specific colour scheme can have their “to design recession and last year’s Brexit decision. order produced by our Halesowen Our business is largely UK based but products in factory in less than two weeks.’ we also have a network of stockists in areas as Richard continues ‘We are in the Europe, America, Japan and Australia. business of protection and caring for June 2016 saw the Coverzone diverse as people’s cherished belongings. Our brand undergo a relaunch with airport latest range of ‘Apollo’ covers feature higher product specifications, new a special Teflon™ coating that results packaging, logos, corporate identity maintenance in rain and dirt running straight off and website (www.cover-zone. whilst maintaining breathability with com). The new product line up was equipment, a micropore inner membrane. We launched at the Automechanika show snow manufacture covers for all tastes and at Birmingham’s NEC. We received pockets from the classic Mini that has new orders from both national and clearance been in the family for 40 years through overseas companies and, encouraged to multi million pound supercars by our success, we have now attended machinery, and even special edition stretched Automechanika Dubai in May 2017 as medical “ limousines. Our customers are car well as Automechanika Birmingham in enthusiasts, motor traders, vehicle June this year with a stand twice the installations manufacturers and high performance size of the 2016 version. Interest has and heavy car designers both at home and continued to be very high and we have overseas. When a vehicle manufacturer recently announced a number of new industry is launching a new model or a film overseas stockists.

COVERZONE | 35 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

service levels for our products and services. The philosophy of the business is to encourage our staff members to learn and grow their skills through in house training and further education and to promote from within. Our headquarters is near Worthing in West Sussex and all worldwide orders are processed here, even for American orders for despatch from the US depot. We produce covers in a range of technically advanced fabrics and some that are particularly well suited to extreme temperatures: consequently we have Bespoke outdoor all customers from the Arctic Circle in weather JCB earth Finland to the extreme heat of the mover cover Export is high on our agenda as Australian Outback. exchange rates have been very Classic car owners are well catered favourable for overseas buyers. Over for at Coverzone and many owners 10 years ago we established our own of popular cars and vans from the stock depot in the USA and plans 50’s 60’s and 70’s are surprised to are now well advanced for a similar find that we can supply them a model Australian outlet to keep transport specific cover from stock. They are costs low & delivery times to the even more surprised that we also minimum. The key to our success is have a range of carpet sets for many our small yet highly skilled workforce, English classics. a team of industry professionals, many of whom have worked for the Coverzone has become known in the business since its earliest years. We Coverzone can trade as ‘Fabric Engineers’ and we are manufacture bespoke are dedicated to delivering excellent now being sought to design products in covers for almost anything areas as diverse as airport maintenance on two or four wheels equipment, snow clearance machinery, medical installations and heavy industry. Our designers are regularly onsite with industrial and automotive customers across the UK and increasingly throughout Europe too. We are excited about these new challenges and with production in the UK and the Far East we are ideally situated to supply our customer requirements from small quantity batches through to volume production. We are continuing to grow steadily and whilst the world is changing and creating new challenges we see that the work that we have done establishing and promoting our brand is paying dividends and our future has many bright new opportunities.

36 | COVERZONE MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

Terex Trucks

Terex Trucks Generation 10 TA400 articulated dump truck

Specialist welder working on the body of an articulated truck erex Trucks is a Scottish manufacturer of off-road dump trucks, with a heritage spanning over 65 years. The Tcompany’s passion lies in the design, production, sales and support of articulated and rigid dump trucks. These trucks transport materials used in construction, mining and quarrying FACTS ABOUT Terex Trucks applications. The company was acquired by the Volvo Group »»Headquarters: Motherwell, in 2014. Managing Director (MD) and General Manager, Paul Scotland Douglas, explains the key challenges, achievements and future »»Employees: 375 plans of the company. »»Sales: Global (+97% export)

History of manufacturing excellence

We have a proud history of manufacturing in Scotland. Our factory was established in 1950 under the name Euclid Great Britain. We’ve changed hands over the years and were renamed Terex in 1968 and then Terex Trucks in 2014 when we joined the Volvo Group. Our success

Like many of our employees, I joined as a graduate engineer in the 1980s and will help the

have held several positions before becoming MD and General Manager in 2010. “Scottish I know Terex Trucks inside out, and the pride and passion I have for this company is felt by many others. We’re a key part of the local community, employing several economy and“ generations of families. But Terex Trucks is not just relevant to local people, it’s important to UK manufacturing as a whole. UK

Our dedicated and skilled workforce, vertically integrated production site, and manufacturing enviable expertise in off-road trucks are reasons why the Volvo Group acquired us to thrive in 2014.

TEREX TRUCKS | 37 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

160

140 Raw Materials Price Index 120 (2007 = 100)

100 Commodity Price Index 80 (2007 = 100)

60 TM Mining Index 40 (2007 = 100)

20

0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Terex Trucks Apprentices Key indices for mining restore a 50 year-old truck market, showing how mining equipment tracks But we’re a leaner, fitter company than with commodity and raw Recent challenges material prices we were, and we have belief in our We export over 97% of our equipment, staff and our product quality. via 100 dealers to customers Investment in across many segments, particularly Investment leads to success commodity mining. Low commodity

our people, prices over the last five years have We’ve continued to invest throughout been very challenging for the mining the downturn. Investment is crucial to

“products and our success and nurturing the skills and industry, driving a huge reduction in commitment of our people. Training processes… “ new equipment sales and increased competition within the marketplace. initiatives, career advancement drive us to and attracting new talent are vital. 2017 has seen an upturn in commodity Our close relationships with local keep prices and positivity returning to many education establishments enable us improving global markets, particularly Indonesia and to offer apprenticeships across the Russia. However, opportunities remain business. The end result is a skilled and limited and competition from other motivated workforce, which benefits »HISTORY OF equipment manufacturers remains tough. the local community by bringing PRODUCTION WITH Our hard work, streamlined processes TEREX TRUCKS money to the regional economy. and cost reductions keep us competitive while we work through a significant We’ve also invested heavily in facilities »»1934 – First off-road dump investment programme in products and and product development recently – truck made in the US processes whilst implementing new including upgrading machinery and »»1950 – Euclid Great Britain dealers. Access to finance does remain improving the factory environment established in Motherwell challenging for many customers but our with new lighting, paint system and »»1953 – Euclid bought by parent company and UK and Swedish better maintenance. In the past 18 General Motors Government bodies help us offer months, we’ve launched our new »»1968 – Renamed Terex. suitable finance packages. generation of articulated trucks, (Terra for Earth and Rex providing higher performance and Lately, Brexit has brought uncertainty for King) lower emissions than before. to many UK businesses. For us, there »»1982 – First articulated truck have been pros and cons; mainly down Our processes and procedures have built to the impact of the devalued pound. changed too. By implementing the »»1992 – Acquisition by North For now, we have leveraged the Volvo Production System and latest West Engineering weakened pound to drive export sales ISO standards, we’ve improved our »»2014 – Acquisition by Volvo but medium to long term this could production system and enhanced our Group and rebrand as Terex increase costs for components and product quality. We listen closely to our Trucks services from overseas. To maximise customers’ needs and, where possible, success and profitability it’s vital we adapt our production process, supply »»2016 – Launch of a new have access to a stable, yet competitive chain or process management. We want generation of articulated UK supply base. Like many others, customers to be happy with our products trucks. we’re in a ‘wait and see’ situation. and service so they keep coming back.

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Listening to our staff and fostering an open culture keeps us responsive and staff feeling valued; empowered through daily team meetings we ensure any issues or improvements are identified and actions taken immediately. This helps generate accountability and pride throughout the business.

Hard work pays dividends

The desire to succeed has empowered us to achieve certification in the quality management standard, ISO 9001:2015, and environmental management system, ISO 14001:2015. TR60 Rigid Truck assembly Of the former, we were one of the first companies globally and the first with an international dealer network. in the Volvo Group, to achieve this. We will keep developing our articulated This is huge for our business as it adds products, and we are working on an »KEY BUSINESS value to our reputation as a global exciting new rigid dump truck platform. DRIVERS brand and proves we are committed to being a responsible company that All companies have to adapt to changing »»Safety, quality and manufactures excellent products. circumstances and we are more resilient environmental care than ever before. Our success will »»Listening to what our help the Scottish economy and UK Moving forward customers want manufacturing to thrive. We are excited Investment in our people, products about the future, but we still have a lot of »»Training of staff and guidance and processes, and our view of the work to do building our brand globally. of new apprentices wider industrial and economic picture, »»Continual review and drive us to keep improving. As part At Terex Trucks, we want this plant to improvement of processes be operating at full capacity for at least of the Volvo Group we have access »»Development of new products. to research and development (R&D) another 65 years, with innovative new »»Sharing best practice across investment, stability from being part of products and a solid base for future the group a larger group, and access to a wider generations of workers in the local area. customer base through partnership

Terex Trucks rigid trucks prepare for final Terex Trucks TR70 working test before shipping to the customer in a South African mine

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Durite

Gordon Equipments Ltd, which trades as Durite, is the UK’s leading brand in auto electrical parts Durite operates a 4,000 sq m unit, where we fulfil orders with over 98% availability across our range ordon Equipments Ltd, which trades as Durite, is the UK’s leading brand in auto electrical parts. For more than G80 years, we have been delivering quality components to vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket through a network FACTS ABOUT Durite of distributors. Durite products are of the highest quality, we »»Trade name: Durite deliver them promptly and with excellent customer service. »»Entity name: Gordon Equipments Ltd »»Incorporation date: 1936 Durite does it all – everything from »»Location: Dovercourt, Essex A competitive offering lighting to wiring, switches to test »»Number of employees: 80 With thousands of Durite quality parts, equipment and inverters to reversing we provide a one-stop-shop to meet »»Number of products: over kits with everything in between. We all our customers’ requirements, today 4,000 constantly survey the market, look and tomorrow. »»www.durite.co.uk at the latest technologies, work on new ideas and introduce new product Quality is a hallmark of the Durite Our products are lines to deliver quality, durability and brand. Customers are assured that improve vehicle safety across the UK the company does not cut corners

of the highest and Ireland. when sourcing and manufacturing

parts; from our quality standards “quality, delivered The company has maintained a accreditation to our team members double-digit growth in a market that promptly and“ who sample and check quality before has been estimated to grow by around dispatch. Customers can rely on with excellent 3% year on year. To achieve that Durite’s affordable quality, central to growth, we have enhanced existing customer our reputation over the years. relationships and turned our focus to service the commercial vehicle market, vehicle We operate a fully integrated supply conversion specialists and fleets. chain management system to fulfil

40 | DURITE MANUFACTURING & SERVICES our customer orders with over 98% Our customers are business owners Today’s challenges serving availability across our entire product and as such want to grow year on the aftermarket and range; just about everything is in stock. year. They diversify their offer to conversion market Next day delivery is crucial for our be more competitive. They develop »»Commoditisation of parts customers and we work closely with their product portfolio, shops and our logistics partners to ensure high webshops. We have aligned the »»Global web retail platform levels of customer satisfaction. With products and support we offer to help »»Vehicle technology our new online ordering system, this customers maximise their earnings. changes process has become even smoother Constant effort is put into surveying Durite – the key to success and easier to operate, giving our our customers and we have doubled customers greater and more immediate our sales team to ensure we always »»A competitive offering control of their orders. keep that close bond. »»Growing with our customers The Durite website – with its greatly Growing with our customers increased functionality and ease of use »»Embracing health and safety and leading the We pride ourselves on outstanding – is another example of our dedication way customer service at every contact level to provide the best service. »»Empowering our people with Durite, from our field sales force, ‘Our customer is at the core of all our order processing team, quality we do. Changing the way we do assurance, technical support and business has been quite rewarding ongoing customer service. We have and we will continue to seek new only been able to thrive for so long by ways to collaboratively work with looking after our customers. our customers who represent our brand in the trade and keep us Customers know that our technical number one,’ says Pierre Nadeau, standards and support are benchmarks Managing Director. in the automotive market and, in turn, We recognise that the result is a level of quality and Embracing health and safety value on which their customers in turn the increased and leading the way can rely. Whether they are looking for “demand, from a new product, seeking a technical With over 500 road casualties across improvement or trying to resolve a Great Britain every day, accident end-users to problem, our team have the expertise, prevention and fleet safety remain top experience and – above all – the priorities for all fleet managers and fleets, to commitment to find a solution. government bodies. improve road safety and“ this has become a core focus for us

Quality is a hallmark of the Durite brand. Our technical standard and support are benchmarks in the automotive market

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Durite prides itself on its people, now an 80-strong team across The use of technology to monitor the UK Empowering our people drivers, vehicles and their environments is beneficial to all businesses. It helps Our team embodies a wealth of improve drivers’ safety, lower insurance experience and in-depth knowledge premiums and reduce operation costs of our products and our changing by streamlining processes. marketplace. Whether based at our operations centre, or out in the Using the data ‘We recognise the increased demand, field, all of our people are driven available to us from end-users to fleets, to improve by our core values of quality and road safety and this has become a core customer service. “and going out focus for our business. Durite is a Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) ‘The company ethos is to create an to speak to Associate supplier. With our knowledge environment where new ideas from

of the market requirements, we have any staff member are valued,’ says our customers aligned our product development Pierre. As Durite continues to expand,

has been a activity to the FORS criteria to ensure the emphasis is on empowering our our customers operate using only the employees to take up specialist roles winning “ best-performing products and services,’ in research and development and combination says Pierre Nadeau. technical roles. for our Durite has spent the last couple of years ‘Technology is a great tool for growing searching for the latest technology. businesses and so is maintaining a business We now boast a comprehensive range face-to face contact with the customer. of high-quality equipment suitable for both 12V and 24V vehicles. From best- ‘Using the data available to us and in-class CCTV kits to high definition going out to speak to our customers digital video recorders (DVRs), has been a winning combination for dashcams to fully- integrated cloud- our business,’ Pierre says. based telematics solution and more.

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Burnsides

Neil Burnside, Managing Director ormed in the 1970s by William Burnside, the father of the current owner, we continue to be a family owned and run Fbusiness specialising in the manufacture of promotional products. A major recent investment in the latest print machinery means we can offer market-leading products, indeed you’ll find several items unique to ourselves thanks to further outlay on tooling and development. FACTS ABOUT Burnsides »»Manufactures more than Burnsides are a long-established, but forward-thinking business, flourishing in the 1.25 million key fobs per year manufacture and provision of key fobs and promotional stickers to some of Britain’s »»In business for nearly 50 years best known car and motorbike dealerships. From that secure base, the next step »»Patent awarded in 2017 for forward is for us to take our products into the wider marketplace and become a manufacturing method with brand that buyers think of when looking to promote their business or organisation. another at the final stage The past few years have seen a complete transformation of our business from a »»Located on the Derbyshire/ company purchasing around two thirds of its total turnover to one that now produces Nottinghamshire border almost all the 2.5 million items we sell each year. We have achieved this by investing »»Design & build your own in the latest digital print technology at a time when similar businesses to ourselves website launched Summer were closing their production facilities, looking to move orders to areas of the world 2017 with much lower labour rates. We have bucked that trend by investing in products that offer sustainable profit through automation of at least some of the process.

Managing change for success

This evolution is at the heart of our success but it also presents us with our biggest challenges. When investing in new plant, the temptation is to simply opt for the latest advances in technology. If you go down that route the risk is that you will

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end up with machinery that may not 140,000 fobs of this type compared to even pay its own way. This may be due less than 90,000 at the same stage last to the manufacturer prioritising speed year and 45,000 the year before. of print over reliability, or it possibly incorporates a very poor support Market dynamics package. As an small to medium- sized enterprise (SME) we are not Automation has been very good for in a position to buy several identical us, but we must also consider that machines to ensure uninterrupted technology moves at such a fast pace production so, at director level, we that we cannot take for granted the keep an understanding of just how products we provide will always be our factory works and where the needed. The recent scrapping of the bottlenecks are occurring. This has car tax disc would be an example Digitally printing our often absorbed much of my time, but of this. We went from producing metal key fob badges I know every process in the company over 700,000 tax disc holders a

inside out. This strategy has its year, approximately one third of our rewards. A prime example would be business, to almost nothing within the

our most popular key fob. When we space of a year. This was easily the started to make this product ourselves hardest period of my time in charge of Brexit has“ a number of years ago we were able the company. Technology was thought been very to print around 160 badges per hour. to have moved on from the old paper The machine on which we initially tax disc and we suffered as a result, “good for us produced these has been replaced though I am not sure the ending of the so far twice within a five-year period and we scheme has worked out quite as well can now print 1,800 per hour and to a as was foreseen. much higher quality. Our turnaround times have dropped and the price has When plans are made we must look to remained unchanged for several years spread our risk and buy machines that meaning we are more competitive. move the existing business forward New product line – In the first five months of 2017 we sold but also offer the flexibility to switch acrylic trophies and production to another product line aluminium medals should we ever need to do so.

With this in mind, I look to make a return on investment on plant within five years, a timescale my father would never have dreamt of considering when he started the company over 40 years ago.

We look to move the business forwards by not only selling more of the products we currently make, but also different ones that involve the same knowledge and print technology. We are currently working on a line of trophies and medals that make the best use of digital print by introducing club’s colours or emblem into the design. The final recipient will receive something far more particular to themselves and their organisation represented than they currently do.

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High levels of automated print and cut machinery Brexit and the future into an automated digital print and throughout our factory manufacturing company. Brexit has been very good for us so far. We have seen an increased As we go into the coming years demand for our products with notable I would hope that politicians from companies specifically looking to all sides recognise how our family source within the UK. We are also company has thrived and continue to benefiting greatly from the swing create the environment that allowed in our favour of the dollar/pound my father, brought up in a backstreet exchange rate. Prior to the referendum of Paisley in the 50s, to be educated we felt that on orders up to 2,000 key academically and in business guile. fobs at a time we had the advantage He strived to start a company for a If I am to take once carriage from the Far East was better future for his family and I hope taken into consideration, now we his, and my mother’s, sacrifices at the risks in the “ feel that applies to any orders up time are rewarded with the company we have built. “future then to 10,000. they need to Companies that have previously closed My personal challenge has been to their manufacturing arm, relying solely take the company into the digital age, be rewarded on imports, might now be regretting but if I am to take risks in the future that decision. It has certainly been a then they need to be rewarded. Talk roller coaster ride over the past ten of ever higher taxes for successful years. We have survived the biggest business leaders will mean I will do just recession for a generation, replaced enough to get by when what is really around £350,000 of turnover lost needed is a spirit of optimism going to the demise of the tax disc holder into a post-Brexit Britain. and completely reinvented ourselves

BURNSIDES | 45 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice Phoenix Control Systems

Two Robot Cell – National Physics Laboratory, Teddington Trevor Langton, Company Director hoenix Control Systems (PCS) is a specialist in industrial automation. More than 95% of our turnover comes from Pfixed price contracts. Each contract is unique, meaning the risks are high and the probability of reduced performance is always a concern. We have had an average turnover in excess of £4.25 million over the past five years and return profits before tax in excess of 10% of turnover.

FACTS ABOUT PHOENIX CONTROL SYSTEMS The company strategy is to maintain a level of balance sheet to support a turnover of £7 million+ and profits realised over and above this value are returned »»Founded December 2005 to the employees and shareholders in the form of performance awards and »»Employees 2006: 11 dividends respectively. »»Employees 2017: 30 PCS has been trading for over 11 years, it is 100% employee owned; it implements »»100% employee owned latest technology solutions for its clients’ production facilities and is operating »»85%+ contracts won in mainly in the automotive industry worldwide. automotive industry »»Contracts won in UK, Europe, The company carries out turnkey solutions for our clients, offering the following: Central America and Asia »»Project management »»Electrical installation and testing »»Subsidiary company opened »»Electrical design »»Electrical, software and functional in Mexico in 2015 commissioning »»Software design »»Client training »»Robot programming »»Production support. »»Control panel manufacture, assembly, testing and delivery

46 | PHOENIX CONTROL SYSTEMS MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

All of the above disciplines can are put to one side until the company be resourced from our in-house returns to its intended position. people who are based in Abingdon Provided that the cash flow projections or Liverpool where we have our are accurate and contract terms manufacturing facility. are negotiated satisfactorily and in We now own a subsidiary company in line with our cash projection, we Monterrey Mexico for the purposes of are in a position where the risk of operating in Mexico and the American failure to finance the business is all continent on the same basis as the UK. but eliminated.

Skills Profit margin strategy

First and foremost we have to be good The management take the strong Invest in “ at what we do. We have to have the view that the biggest threat to the personnel who are technically capable company’s solvency is a lack of people to and who can communicate well with continuity of work. If the company’s our clients. Our clients can lose a lot of workforce is not fully utilised with “protect our production if we do not perform and contract work, profits are hit and if future we have to maintain a high level of we are short of contract work then confidence in our engineers in order to losses can be very big. When we have ensure that we get future enquiries and, a dip in sales the management will hopefully, resulting repeat business. cut margins to ensure that we give ourselves the maximum opportunity to Training of our staff is necessary as win the work. This can mean bidding technologies change and advance. for contracts at a loss. When times are We undertake an apprentice better, we set margins according to programme where we have had at what we believe are competitive. least three electrical apprentices on the books for the past eight years. Method We have 15 very experienced We consistently estimate the cost and engineers and we endeavour to quantity of our materials accurately supplement these with younger, less (which generally represents 50%+ of experienced personnel as we try and our costs). The margin against these invest in people to protect our future. materials is therefore more or less guaranteed and represents little risk. Jaguar XE body transfer Financial strength – JLR Castle Bromwich plant We started in 2006 with a target turnover of £2.5 million. We now employ 30 and we target a £4 million turnover. In the exceptional years of 2012 and 2015 we achieved £5.5 million turnovers and we have reinvested profits in previous years such that the company can finance its activities as it grows and can now support a £7 million+ turnover. We aim to maintain this level of financial strength year-on-year.

If we fail to meet the target value on the balance sheet at the end of a year, Performance Awards and Dividends

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activities are carried out using one administration person, and part of each of the director’s time: the two directors and project managers carry out the sales and estimating responsibilities.

Conclusion Provided our engineers and electricians continue to recover the overhead by working on projects and achieving a high turnover the overhead is under control. Margins are calculated with a view to being competitive and maintaining a high turnover.

The success of the past five years compared to the first six years can be directly attributable to a very high Dynamic graphical representation utilisation % and the resulting turnover. of a three Tower The risk for us on most projects is an For the past five years compared with Environmental Oxidiser – overspend of engineering and labour the first six years, the average turnover Carbon Savoie, France time; for design, but mostly on site has doubled for a modest 25% increase for installation, commissioning and in net overhead. The resulting gross associated expenses. Getting off site margin has doubled in line with the or onto paid production standby is the turnover meaning that the contract challenge. This is where we need to Turnover margins were more or less the same project manage effectively and avoid £5m but due to the negligible change in the any project overrun where we have overhead the average net margin has £4m influence and highlight possible on increased by more than eight times. costs to the client as soon as they arise. £3m The objective is to protect our margins The method we adopt ensures that the £2m whilst maintaining a good relationship margins are protected as much as is with the client. £1m reasonably practicable.

0 Low overhead and cost control The financial strength enables us to 2006-2011 2012-2016 finance the projects and overhead Average Average All projects are forecast every month. for an estimated maximum turnover Systems are in place to generate which is in excess of anything achieved £1m contract costs for labour and materials to date. 900k and these figures are updated at least 800k monthly. The forecast margins generate With the above in place, our risks are 700k the profit and loss account for the reduced, and the platform is set for 600k 500k month and are also used to forecast our engineers to execute the contracts 400k future workload by the quarter. with the knowledge and experience 300k that they possess. The engineers, control panel labour 200k 100k and installation labour recover their The success of the company is ultimately 0 overhead costs by working on the down to the quality of engineering and 2006‐2011 2012‐2016 contracts/projects. The overhead our contract execution; we just have to Average Average budget is calculated annually and is make sure that we continue to provide Net Overhead Gross Margin used to measure how our overhead the low overhead and good practice Net Margin is performing. foundation such that our people are able People employed on the overhead are to perform and share in that success. kept to a minimum. All administration

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P&S Automation

RFA Fort Victoria alongside in Scotland

Paul Edwards, Managing Director &S Automation is a perfect example of how a small business (SME) can be tough competition for giants in the Psame industry, providing that its leaders have drive and ambition. We pride ourselves on the high level of competence that we offer our customers accompanied by low risk, faster delivery and a level of service that many larger businesses simply cannot match. Our company demonstrates that size does not affect the quality of the product or service we supply.

FACTS ABOUT When approached by a customer with any number of instrumentation, control and P&S AUTOMATION automation requirements we are able to offer a full service which includes: »»Paul Edwards, »»Calibration of sensors and instruments Managing Director »»Electronic, pneumatic and hydraulic repairs »»Specialising in marine and »»Existing control and automation system analysis and improvement industrial, instrumentation, control and automation »»Replacements of obsolete equipment and systems. systems Being a small business has positively affected our flexibility and reaction time to customer »»Formed in 2003 needs. These qualities, along with our supportive attitude, contribute greatly to our »»Based in Great Totham, Essex success and the good relationships that we have with our customers, which include: »»Employing 12 people »»MOD »»QinetiQ »»Annual turnover circa £2m »»Cammell Laird Shipbuilders »»Hanson and Ship repairers »»V. Ships »»The A&P Group of Companies »»Many other commercial shipping companies.

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Since the company began, our growth which must be implemented by August plans have been fairly straightforward: 2018. This standard is vital in order to to maintain our existing customer base qualify for work in the public sector, whilst expanding this gradually each and in many private sector businesses. year. Of course we have come across We also follow the Government’s challenges, the greatest of which ‘Cyber Essentials’ scheme which was has been finding engineers with the launched in 2014 to help businesses electronic and practical ability that is protect themselves against cyber- essential in this industry. Unfortunately attacks – mainly hacking. Businesses

there is not currently a recognised are also encouraged to obtain an qualification in ‘servicing control and Environmental Accreditation.

Funding Circle automation systems’ and so this often These certifications are in addition means employing engineers with partial (peer-to-peer“ to the Health & Safety and other ability and training them ourselves legislation that we must consider; this “lending) has through experience. It is, therefore, is one of the burdens of doing business incredibly important for us to retain been really in the modern age. In 2016 we went our employees. We have also found to the time and expense of becoming banks to be very unhelpful in terms helpful ‘Green Flagged’ with the supply chain of getting credit – this can be a tough management company Avetta. This challenge for small companies. Funding enabled us to complete work for just Circle (peer-to-peer lending) however one commercial company (so far), has been really helpful, allowing us to which will not issue an order unless raise the necessary money in order to you have the ‘Green Flag’. Although invest in the company’s growth simply, this seemed like a great deal of work quickly and efficiently. for one company, within three months Being a small company we consider we completed over £100k of work, it essential to maintain our in-house making it well worth the time. For a standards along with meeting SME these overheads can be quite internationally recognised ones, onerous and off-putting but I believe increasing our potential market. We you have to grasp the opportunity and are accredited to ISO 9001:2008 and move forward in order to be taken are working towards ISO 9001:2015 seriously by customers.

RFA Fort Victoria at sea

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A few examples of our favourite projects: 1. The design of a GSM enabled alarm system for the Navy’s P2000 training vessels. This was a requirement that arose from the obsolescence of the existing hard wired harbour monitoring system.

Our HarbourWatch alarm system was supplied to 18 small Navy ships, Sea Cadet training vessels and floating museums. It’s now a product of which we are incredibly proud and successfully offer to small commercial vessels which are often left unmanned, such as tugs and launches.

2. The design of a Power Management Top left: Our System to replace an obsolete HarbourWatch system on board a Diesel Electric Top right: Refrigeration Cable Repair Ship. This was one Control System of our very first jobs back in 2003 Bottom left: Power Management System and we were given just four weeks to complete. We are delighted to say that it is still working well We enjoyed completing this project and has led to many other power and feel confident that we will have management projects. the ability to support the system 3. Replacement of an obsolete beyond its existing ‘out of service’ date refrigeration control system on which is currently 2025. a cruise liner. For this project we All projects demonstrate our technical designed and built a new control abilities and customer focus, further system. Given the nature of the providing excellent references for new product, it was necessary to install buyers who we hope to persuade We will have it on board within a six hour period that SMEs will often offer less risk allowing the customer to retain all than the larger business with which the ability to

the frozen and chilled provisions they feel comfortable to engage. The in the cold rooms – we travelled to Government’s current target to spend “support the

Hamburg to meet the ship and did one pound out of every three it spends system beyond exactly that. on procurement with SMEs is well received. Once this has been met “ 4. The integration of six new its existing we look forward to the target being generators into the Machinery increased further. ‘out of service’ Control and Surveillance (MCAS) system of an Royal Fleet Auxiliary With regards to Brexit, we are not date which is (RFA) vessel. We added new daunted. Most European companies hardware and communication and countries seem routinely to favour currently 2025 links to the 14-year-old system suppliers from their own country and we and extended the existing struggle to export to what is supposedly communication network in an ‘open and fair’ market. We are hoping order to increase the signals that Brexit will encourage both ‘Buying being processed, from 4,500 to British’ and also exporting worldwide. over 6,000.

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The Cartwright Group

Cartwright’s head office situated on a 38 acre site in Altrincham

Mark Cartwright, Group Managing Director he Cartwright Group is an independent, family-run firm. We are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of bodies Tand trailers, with a deserved reputation for innovation and high-quality customer service. Based in Altrincham, Cheshire, we were established 65 years ago and proudly fly the flag for British enterprise with the slogan ‘Better. Built in Britain’. FACTS ABOUT THE CARTWRIGHT GROUP

»»Established 1952 Cartwright’s success can be attributed to developing our own talent through our award- »»Turnover £130 million in year winning apprenticeship programme and listening to our customers. This responsive, to March 2017 innovative approach has led Cartwright to diversify into rentals, conversions, fleet »»Award-winning apprenticeship maintenance, sales of refurbished trailers and finance. From 2012 to 2016 turnover scheme had grown by 60% and by year end March 2017 has risen further to £130 million. »»Employs 700 people at 38-acre site in Altrincham, Innovation excellence Cheshire Innovation in engineering is Cartwright’s hallmark and this is widely acknowledged »»Innovation at heart of success in the industry. We provide solutions tailored for our customers to overcome specific »»Diversified into rentals, fleet challenges. We are continuously creating new designs of trailers and rigids to satisfy the services, conversions, finance market’s demand for improvements in fuel efficiency and operational effectiveness. and sale of refurbished Cartwright released the Cheetah Fastback in 2010, which is the most advanced trailers, offering a ‘whole-life’ aerodynamic trailer on the market. The Cheetah Fastback was developed using approach to trailer sector computational fluid dynamics, a technique used to test the aerodynamic efficiency »»Contribution to cutting carbon in Formula One. This work was undertaken in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership emissions in UK with Manchester Metropolitan University. Road Trials and tests at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) showed it offered 9–10% fuel savings in comparison to the traditional ‘box trailer’.

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The success of the Cheetah Fastback helped Cartwright to grow and this was followed by a string of ideas that would deliver ongoing benefits to our customers. These included:

»»Advanced Technology Flooring for single deck refrigerated trailers where heavier steel components were swapped out for lightweight composite materials. Benefits – 4% fuel saving, extra load capacity. Floor meets ISO 1496– 1:2016 Test Standard. Cartwright operates one of the most compre- »»Revamped curtainside trailer. Using develop our own workforce. One of the hensive apprenticeship knowledge transfer from steel cold- challenges facing us as we expanded programmes in the rolling companies and manufacturers commercial vehicle was the dearth of young talent entering manufacturing industry of luxury cars, Cartwright reduced the sector. Therefore, Cartwright decided the weight of the curtainside trailer to develop our own talent through by 70kg. establishing a pioneering apprenticeship

Benefits – increased fuel efficiency, scheme, which took on forty apprentices durability, rigidity and corrosion in 2012. We committed to keeping

resistance, leading to lower more than 100 in the organisation at Bespoke maintenance costs and longer any one time as the scheme progressed. trailer life. Apprentices work through every stage of solutions to “ »»Aerodynamic design for doubledeck, the production process, before settling “customers’ tri-temp trailer, drawing on on a single area, alongside studying for Cartwright’s experience of designing NVQ level 2 qualifications on day release. requests are the Cheetah Fastback. Promising candidates go on to take Benefits – improved fuel efficiency, further qualifications, with the company our speciality 10% drag reduction, improved roll even supporting an outstanding former stability and significantly shorter apprentice, Josh Redfern, to study loading times. part-time for an honours degree in engineering at Manchester Metropolitan »»Multi-role Automated Pallet Delivery University. Cartwright won the highly- (APD) trailer combines the convenience regarded Apprenticeship of the Year of using APD to load 26 pallets in award in the 2016 Motor Transport two minutes at a specialised loading Cartwright apprentice Awards and was named in the Centrica dock, with the flexibility of receiving Imogen Levick develops Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List. backloads at normal depots which load her skills at the company’s Conversions by forklift truck. An internal moveable facility in Doncaster deck protects the APD mechanism. »»A hydraulic moveable floor for refrigerated double-decks moves away from a rope and pulley system which makes the double deck option for refrigerated loads more attractive for operators looking to reduce costs.

Developing talent Cartwright is a family firm with a culture that encourages creativity and high standards. We also continue to

THE CARTWRIGHT GROUP | 53 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

»CASE STUDY at remote sites. A recent revolutionary innovation involved us transforming The Streetwise urban delivery vehicle shows the company at its best, vehicles into mobile banks which then demonstrating how the Cartwright design team is able to develop a toured areas without banks. bespoke solution to a particular challenge. Cartwright Fleet Services provides repair, One problem for deliveries on busy High Streets is that parking is maintenance and fleet management often on the street and unloading is via an external tail lift onto the tools for around 12,000 vehicles, while road. One customer wanted ‘loading through the back at our bays Cartwright Spares & Parts provides and unloading to the pavement through the side.’ necessary components for trailer care.

Streetwise does just that, via a moveable internal floor and side Cartwright refurbishes around doors, reducing each delivery time by 10–15 minutes during trials 800 trailers a year for resale and has with a major supermarket. It’s safer, quicker and reduces congestion. also established Cartwright Finance to offer flexible asset finance options

We have created a unique ‘whole-life’ approach to the sector – whatever a customer’s need for a trailer, Cartwright can supply the service. It is truly a one-stop shop.

Our customers benefit because of our range of services and our 12-year minimum trailer life cycle guarantee, which exemplifies our goal to ‘build it right’.

The future

There are signs of an impending Cartwright has been slowdown in our sector in 2017, for building trailers for Royal which we have prepared by diversifying Mail for over 25 years Diversification of business our business. As demand for rentals increases, it creates demand for more Our ethos at Cartwright focuses on maintenance, and more vehicles. Our ethos at constant innovation and we took that approach when diversifying into There is growth in the refrigerated Cartwright other parts of the trailer market. We double-deck trailer sectors, as established Cartwright Rentals, which operators look to reduce costs “focuses on now has a fleet of more than 6,500 by carrying larger loads, and constant varied trailers and rigids for long-or Cartwright is the largest double-deck short-term hire. These include double- manufacturer in the UK. We believe innovation and deck refrigerated, tri-temperature, our new refrigerated double-deck dual and single temperature trailers, with hydraulic moving deck is now the

we took that ambient and our Streetwise option. best available.

More than £7 million has been approach when Lastly, the fall in the value of the invested in the Rentals division in the pound after the Brexit vote has diversifying“ into past 18 months. opened up new export opportunities other parts of Cartwright Conversions, established which we are actively exploring and the trailer in Doncaster in January 2016, entered our ongoing challenge is to continue the market for welfare vehicles that reaching potential customers across market provide toilets, washrooms, kitchen the globe. and rest areas for mobile workforces

54 | THE CARTWRIGHT GROUP MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

RA Rodriguez (UK)

A selection of bearings available from RAR’s range of thin section ball bearings and slewing bearings

Peter Williamson, Managing Director of RARUK Automation, alongside UR10 collaborative ince 1968, RA Rodriguez (UK) Limited (RARUK) has been robot (or Cobot) from Danish supplying quality precision components to the best of UK manufacturer Universal Robot Sand European manufacturers. With highly-qualified staff located throughout the UK, we continue to act as exclusive representatives to many leading international component manufacturers from Europe, USA and Japan, all approved to the FACTS ABOUT latest ISO 9001 and AS9120 quality standards. RA Rodriguez (UK) »»Privately-owned technical distributor acting as exclusive Launched in 2016, RARUK Automation is a dedicated automation company from factory representative and RA Rodriguez that specialises in the supply of products with a unique edge. From distributor for leading our collaborative six-axis robot through to linear axis and controls, or complete manufacturers of precision turnkey solutions, our product programme allows us to provide original equipment bearings, transmission manufacturers (OEMs), systems integrators and manufacturers with products that can components and automation be flexibly combined to provide application-specific, innovative, automation solutions. equipment RA Rodriguez have been operating in the UK for almost 50 years. The traditional »»Turnover growth in excess of products that we have supplied, such as bearings, gears and drives, have not evolved 100% since 2013 a huge amount because the technology is well established. To grow our business »»Employs 20 staff from we had to either take on new products or look to sell into new markets. The first two sites in Letchworth, significant growth that we have seen in the company occurred as a result of us Hertfordshire with a UK- becoming master distributor for Europe for Japanese gear manufacturer, KHK, and wide team of field-based establishing a new market for our bearing products in Turkey. application engineers »»Exports to Europe and But the biggest change came two years ago when we set up an automation Scandinavia accounts for company, RARUK Automation Limited. We had been representing several approximately 30% of automation manufacturers for some time. We wanted to capitalise on that and turnover ensure we invested properly to drive sales and raise awareness of our capabilities.

RA RODRIGUEZ (UK) | 55 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

One of the prime elements of that we are slowly convincing them that is our relationship with Universal automation is an attainable ambition Robots, an innovative robotic company for them. The robot is very simple to that are pioneering the use of use. The equipment is very much plug It has now collaborative robots. and play and puts the control back in the hands of the manufacturer rather We have been working with them started to gain than them being dependent on an since 2009 but it took some time to automation supplier. “some traction establish here, which is no surprise and that is given the traditional conservative attitude that UK manufacturing has Different levels of service why we are towards automation. It has now We are very much a technical

investing in a started to gain some traction and that distributor. We offer three levels of is why we are investing in a vehicle to service to our customer. First, for

vehicle to go go out and deliver that message and established automation users or grow the product line. machine builders we can simply supply out and deliver “ We have seen some very sophisticated the parts they require. Next, we have that message users of automated equipment that the customers who want to learn like the lower cost, ease of and develop their own capability. and grow the implementation and ease of use that They will often ask us to look at their product line these collaborative robots deliver. We application, see where our technology have major multinationals that are can be used and give them some sort already using the product in the UK. of feasibility studies as to whether However, the downside is that we our equipment will work in their have also seen small and medium- manufacturing process. We can then sized enterprises (SMEs) that have progress, supplying the equipment

Universal Robot’s UR3 been wary of the technology but with technical support and training. Cobot carrying out an assembly task

56 | RA RODRIGUEZ (UK) MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

Finally, some customers will come to us and ask for a complete turnkey solution. We will then talk to our overseas suppliers for the equipment and our network of systems integrators in the UK. We will source the equipment and the integrators will deliver the turnkey solution to our customers.

Automation that delivers results RARUK Automation showing their range of Haydock-based Filter Design Co automation solutions at the (FDC), a specialist in all things filter- Processing and Packaging related, has boosted its volume filter Universal Robot UR10 to help with Machinery Association (PPMA) Exhibition manufacturing capabilities, applying the packaging of mobile phone SIM its own automation expertise and cards. As well as automating previously sourcing robotic and linear motion mundane manual operations, the robot technologies through ourselves. By has allowed the company to repurpose incorporating a Universal Robots UR3 employees to more varied tasks. table-top robot complete with Robotiq Taking control of accuracy and 2F85 gripper, FDC has quadrupled traceability means that Real Digital output, reduced staffing hours, uses vision-based cameras to oversee increased consistency and reduced a process which involves taking a adhesive waste in glue dispensing SIM carrier, just like those found at operations for a respiratory filter. In a supermarket checkouts, and inserting separate application, also automated the SIM card, booklet and top-up card. Main offices in Letchworth. by FDC, an IEF Werner three-axis RARUK Automation The SIMs are then boxed and sealed domiLINE has provided similar benefits now also occupies a with a plastic film security wrap before new unit across the road on a 12-station spinning machine to being placed on a pallet at rates of to train, demonstrate produce cylindrical filters. and carry out feasibility up to 70 boxes per hour (annually the studies using its range of The UR3 is a recently introduced table- company packs around 30 million SIM automation solutions top robotic arm for light assembly cards). However, until recently, certain tasks and automated workbench aspects of this process still required an We are excited scenarios. The compact robot weighs amount of mundane manual input. only 11kg, but has a payload of 3kg, about the ±360° rotation on all wrist joints Good prospects for the future and infinite rotation on the end “automation We are excited about the automation joint. Importantly, the UR3 is built opportunities that are around now. opportunities that with the same proven collaborative The UK is going to have to become technology as the larger UR5 and more competitive in its manufacturing are around now. UR10 robot arms. All three robots

operations, especially with what is feature the identical safety system and The UK is going happening with Brexit. For the UK

+0.1mm repeatability. The UR3 has a manufacturing sector to bring jobs to have to default force sensing of 150N but the back to this country, they will need configurable safety settings can be set become more“ to embrace automation and the to stop if it encounters a force as low advantages that it can deliver. As a competitive in its as 50N, if required. company, we are ideally positioned to manufacturing In Croydon, Real Digital International, help them improve their productivity a specialist in digital print and quality. operations communications, has installed a

RA RODRIGUEZ (UK) | 57 Review of Parliament The Queen’s Speech

to negotiate for the support of the Northern Ireland Democratic Unionists A snap election ... and as the first debate of this On the 19th April 2017, having new Parliament began, that support repeatedly insisted that she had no had not been secured. Mr Corbyn intention of calling a snap election, could not resist the open goal. To Prime Minister Theresa May sprung a triumphant Labour laughter he noted complete surprise when she summoned that ‘the latest coalition may already the press to Downing Street to announce be in some chaos’. she would seek a Commons vote to go ‘Nothing could emphasise that chaos to the country on June 8th 2017. more than the Queen’s Speech The announcement, made as Parliament we have just heard: a threadbare returned from its Easter break, had the legislative programme from a force of a thunderclap in Westminster. Government who have lost their The Queen’s Speech Quite unexpectedly, MPs and parties announced the majority and apparently run out of were plunged into election mode. government’s legislative What a difference. Theresa May and ideas altogether. This would be a thin plan for the coming Jeremy Corbyn’s final Commons legislative programme even if it was The immediate effect was to turn Parliament Prime Minister Theresa confrontation before the election for one year, but for two years – two what were now the two remaining May sought to strengthen had seen the Conservatives limbering years? There is not enough in it to fill Prime Minister’s Question Times of households are in debt. Six million her position before negotiations with the EU up for a triumphal campaign which up one year.’ the Parliament into de facto leader’s people are earning less than the began would culminate in the inevitable debates – especially since it was made living wage, child poverty is up, and That was a reference to the smashing of their Labour opponents. clear that Theresa May would not take pensioner poverty is up.’ Government’s decision to declare a When the diminished, battered band part in the kind of televised debates two-year Parliamentary Session – a The two leaders traded more accusations of Conservative MPs reassembled, held in the 2010 and 2015 elections. procedural move intended to ensure with Theresa May warning that ordinary minus their parliamentary majority, ministers could push through vital The Prime Minister stated her case: working people would face higher for the state opening of Parliament on Brexit legislation in time for the exit ‘There are three things that a country taxes and lost jobs under Labour while June 21st, they were chastened and date in March 2019. Mr Corbyn needs: a strong economy, strong Mr Corbyn claimed the Prime Minister’s uncertain, while euphoria gripped the mocked the Prime Minister for defence and strong, stable leadership. priority was ‘tax giveaways to the richest occupants of the Labour benches. That is what our plans for Brexit and corporations while our children’s schools dropping a series of election promises our plans for a stronger Britain will are starved of the resources they need When they came to speak in the that had not found favour with the deliver... The Right Hon. Member for to educate our children for the future’. traditional debate on an address voters: means-testing the winter fuel Islington North (The Labour Leader, thanking Her Majesty for the Queen’s allowance and replacing the triple lock Jeremy Corbyn) would bankrupt our Brexit emerged as one of the Prime Speech – the new Government’s on pensions among others. economy and weaken our defences Minister’s main campaign themes: ‘every legislative programme – the dynamic On Brexit, Mr Corbyn stuck to Labour’s and is simply not fit to lead.’ vote for the Conservatives will make me between the two main figures had careful positioning in favour of a deal stronger when I negotiate for Britain with changed completely. Mr Corbyn with the EU ‘that puts jobs and the To Conservative jeers, Mr Corbyn the European Union. And every vote for seemed a far more confident, assertive economy first’. He called for full access counter-attacked: ‘She says that it is the Conservatives will mean we can stick parliamentary performer, relishing the about leadership, yet she refuses to to the single market and a customs to our plan for a stronger Britain and opportunity to throw back the taunts defend her record in television debates. arrangement that provided Britain take the right long-term decisions for a that had been hurled at him during It is not hard to see why. The Prime with the ‘exact same benefits’ as now. more secure future for this country.’ the campaign. Minister says that we have a stronger And in his final flourish he warned economy, yet she cannot explain why Later that afternoon, the Commons A Government which had warned the Prime Minister that Labour were people’s wages are lower today than voted to call an early election, by 522 that he could only gain power in now ‘not merely an Opposition; we they were 10 years ago or why more votes to 13. a ‘coalition of chaos’ with the SNP are a Government in waiting, with a and the Lib Dems had been forced policy programme that enthused and

58 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT Review of MANUFACTURING & SERVICES Parliament The Queen’s Speech

to negotiate for the support of the Northern Ireland Democratic Unionists A snap election ... and as the first debate of this On the 19th April 2017, having new Parliament began, that support repeatedly insisted that she had no had not been secured. Mr Corbyn intention of calling a snap election, could not resist the open goal. To Prime Minister Theresa May sprung a triumphant Labour laughter he noted complete surprise when she summoned that ‘the latest coalition may already the press to Downing Street to announce be in some chaos’. she would seek a Commons vote to go ‘Nothing could emphasise that chaos to the country on June 8th 2017. more than the Queen’s Speech The announcement, made as Parliament we have just heard: a threadbare returned from its Easter break, had the legislative programme from a force of a thunderclap in Westminster. Government who have lost their The Queen’s Speech Quite unexpectedly, MPs and parties announced the majority and apparently run out of were plunged into election mode. government’s legislative What a difference. Theresa May and ideas altogether. This would be a thin plan for the coming Jeremy Corbyn’s final Commons legislative programme even if it was The immediate effect was to turn Parliament Prime Minister Theresa confrontation before the election for one year, but for two years – two what were now the two remaining May sought to strengthen had seen the Conservatives limbering years? There is not enough in it to fill Prime Minister’s Question Times of households are in debt. Six million her position before negotiations with the EU up for a triumphal campaign which up one year.’ the Parliament into de facto leader’s people are earning less than the began would culminate in the inevitable debates – especially since it was made living wage, child poverty is up, and That was a reference to the smashing of their Labour opponents. clear that Theresa May would not take pensioner poverty is up.’ Government’s decision to declare a When the diminished, battered band part in the kind of televised debates two-year Parliamentary Session – a The two leaders traded more accusations of Conservative MPs reassembled, held in the 2010 and 2015 elections. procedural move intended to ensure with Theresa May warning that ordinary minus their parliamentary majority, ministers could push through vital The Prime Minister stated her case: working people would face higher for the state opening of Parliament on Brexit legislation in time for the exit ‘There are three things that a country taxes and lost jobs under Labour while June 21st, they were chastened and date in March 2019. Mr Corbyn needs: a strong economy, strong Mr Corbyn claimed the Prime Minister’s uncertain, while euphoria gripped the mocked the Prime Minister for defence and strong, stable leadership. priority was ‘tax giveaways to the richest occupants of the Labour benches. That is what our plans for Brexit and corporations while our children’s schools dropping a series of election promises our plans for a stronger Britain will are starved of the resources they need When they came to speak in the that had not found favour with the deliver... The Right Hon. Member for to educate our children for the future’. traditional debate on an address voters: means-testing the winter fuel Islington North (The Labour Leader, thanking Her Majesty for the Queen’s allowance and replacing the triple lock Jeremy Corbyn) would bankrupt our Brexit emerged as one of the Prime Speech – the new Government’s on pensions among others. economy and weaken our defences Minister’s main campaign themes: ‘every legislative programme – the dynamic On Brexit, Mr Corbyn stuck to Labour’s and is simply not fit to lead.’ vote for the Conservatives will make me between the two main figures had careful positioning in favour of a deal stronger when I negotiate for Britain with changed completely. Mr Corbyn with the EU ‘that puts jobs and the To Conservative jeers, Mr Corbyn the European Union. And every vote for seemed a far more confident, assertive economy first’. He called for full access counter-attacked: ‘She says that it is the Conservatives will mean we can stick parliamentary performer, relishing the about leadership, yet she refuses to to the single market and a customs to our plan for a stronger Britain and opportunity to throw back the taunts defend her record in television debates. arrangement that provided Britain take the right long-term decisions for a that had been hurled at him during It is not hard to see why. The Prime with the ‘exact same benefits’ as now. more secure future for this country.’ the campaign. Minister says that we have a stronger And in his final flourish he warned economy, yet she cannot explain why Later that afternoon, the Commons A Government which had warned the Prime Minister that Labour were people’s wages are lower today than voted to call an early election, by 522 that he could only gain power in now ‘not merely an Opposition; we they were 10 years ago or why more votes to 13. a ‘coalition of chaos’ with the SNP are a Government in waiting, with a and the Lib Dems had been forced policy programme that enthused and

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 59 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of Parliament

engaged millions of people in this offer real strong and stable leadership election, many for the first time in in the interests of the many, not their political lives. We are ready to the few.’ Last rites on the Brexit Bill

Back in March, when an election One change guaranteed the rights of EU seemed a distant prospect, parliament’s citizens living in the UK, and the second Grenfell Tower main focus was on the European Union promised Parliament a ‘meaningful vote’ (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. This on the final Brexit deal. That meant The fire that destroyed Grenfell Tower, Bill, which would give Theresa May the the Bill had to return to the Commons a social housing block in the London authority to begin the UK’s divorce from because both Houses of Parliament must Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the European Union, was forced on agree on the final wording of legislation. seemed to some to crystallise the issues the Government after a Supreme Court After much debate, MPs rejected both that had driven the ‘Corbyn Surge’ in ruling that Parliamentary approval was Lords’ amendments, the Bill was sent the General Election just days earlier. required to begin the process. back for immediate consideration in Accusations about the neglect of Despite fears that the Bill could be the House of Lords, where David Davis David Davis, Secretary watered down or even reshaped to social housing tenants, chronic under- of State for Exiting came to watch his Junior Minister, reverse the Referendum verdict, it passed investment and official incompetence the European Union Lord Bridges, call on Peers to drop through the Commons unscathed. All were flying, even while the pall of since July 2016 their opposition. And while the Liberal attempts to amend, or add, to its 136 smoke still hovered over the capital and Democrat, Lord Oates, did urge Peers words were voted down. Predictions of a the horrific images of the blaze were to continue defying the Government, major rebellion of up to 50 Conservative replayed on TV. support for the amendment melted Remainers proved unfounded, and only away, and the attempt to throw it back So potent was the symbolism that it a handful defied the party whip. to MPs was once more rejected, as was became intertwined in the debates But when it moved on to the House of the attempt to keep the ‘meaningful on the post-election Queen’s Speech Tributes for the Grenfell Lords, where there is no Government vote’. The final form of the Bill was - but the Government also committed victims came from Mr Javid also dealt with the key issue of majority and a large concentration of pro- settled – and it was sent off for the to keep MPs informed about the across the country the authorities’ inability to say exactly EU peers, the Bill was amended twice. Royal Assent, un-amended. aftermath, the efforts to identify how many people had died: ‘There casualties in the wreckage of the tower, to re-house and assist those has been much speculation about who who had lost their homes, and to set was in Grenfell Tower on the night of Article 50 is triggered up a public inquiry. the fire, and it is vital that we find out. The Director of Public Prosecutions on the Referendum verdict and formally So it was that the Communities has made it clear that there will be no trigger Britain’s departure talks with Secretary, Sajid Javid, came to the prosecution of tenants ... who may have the EU. Commons on July 3rd to announce been illegally sub-letting their property, £2.5 million had been distributed ... There may have been people living in She was greeted by cheering from the special £5 million fund set flats that were illegally sub-let who had Conservative MPs when she up to help the residents. Mr Javid said no idea about the true status of their announced, on the 29th March, that the public inquiry and the criminal tenancy. Their families want to know if the process had begun: ‘A few minutes investigation had to be allowed the they perished in the fire. These are their ago, in Brussels, the United Kingdom’s space to follow the evidence wherever sons, their daughters, their brothers and permanent representative to the EU it took them, and everyone should be their sisters. They need closure, and that handed a letter to the President of careful not to prejudice their work. is the least that they deserve.’ the European Council on my behalf Responding to the Labour MP, David confirming the Government’s decision Lammy, who had lost a family friend in The Government was also taking to invoke Article 50 of the treaty on the fire, he added that although it was urgent action to avoid another tragedy European Union. The Article 50 process in buildings with architectural cladding Theresa May meets for the judge to determine the scope with European Council is now under way and, in accordance of the inquiry, he expected it to be ‘as similar to that which appeared to have President Donald Tusk in The passage of the European Union with the wishes of the British people, broad and wide-ranging as possible’. been a factor in the Grenfell fire. Downing Street (Notification of Withdrawal) Act cleared the United Kingdom is leaving the the way for the Prime Minister to act European Union.’

60 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT MANUFACTURING & SERVICES engaged millions of people in this offer real strong and stable leadership election, many for the first time in in the interests of the many, not their political lives. We are ready to the few.’ Last rites on the Brexit Bill

Back in March, when an election One change guaranteed the rights of EU seemed a distant prospect, parliament’s citizens living in the UK, and the second Grenfell Tower main focus was on the European Union promised Parliament a ‘meaningful vote’ (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. This on the final Brexit deal. That meant The fire that destroyed Grenfell Tower, Bill, which would give Theresa May the the Bill had to return to the Commons a social housing block in the London authority to begin the UK’s divorce from because both Houses of Parliament must Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the European Union, was forced on agree on the final wording of legislation. seemed to some to crystallise the issues the Government after a Supreme Court After much debate, MPs rejected both that had driven the ‘Corbyn Surge’ in ruling that Parliamentary approval was Lords’ amendments, the Bill was sent the General Election just days earlier. required to begin the process. back for immediate consideration in Accusations about the neglect of Despite fears that the Bill could be the House of Lords, where David Davis David Davis, Secretary watered down or even reshaped to social housing tenants, chronic under- of State for Exiting came to watch his Junior Minister, reverse the Referendum verdict, it passed investment and official incompetence the European Union Lord Bridges, call on Peers to drop through the Commons unscathed. All were flying, even while the pall of since July 2016 their opposition. And while the Liberal attempts to amend, or add, to its 136 smoke still hovered over the capital and Democrat, Lord Oates, did urge Peers words were voted down. Predictions of a the horrific images of the blaze were to continue defying the Government, major rebellion of up to 50 Conservative replayed on TV. support for the amendment melted Remainers proved unfounded, and only away, and the attempt to throw it back So potent was the symbolism that it a handful defied the party whip. to MPs was once more rejected, as was became intertwined in the debates But when it moved on to the House of the attempt to keep the ‘meaningful on the post-election Queen’s Speech Tributes for the Grenfell Lords, where there is no Government vote’. The final form of the Bill was - but the Government also committed victims came from Mr Javid also dealt with the key issue of majority and a large concentration of pro- settled – and it was sent off for the to keep MPs informed about the across the country the authorities’ inability to say exactly EU peers, the Bill was amended twice. Royal Assent, un-amended. aftermath, the efforts to identify how many people had died: ‘There casualties in the wreckage of the tower, to re-house and assist those has been much speculation about who who had lost their homes, and to set was in Grenfell Tower on the night of Article 50 is triggered up a public inquiry. the fire, and it is vital that we find out. The Director of Public Prosecutions on the Referendum verdict and formally So it was that the Communities has made it clear that there will be no trigger Britain’s departure talks with Secretary, Sajid Javid, came to the prosecution of tenants ... who may have the EU. Commons on July 3rd to announce been illegally sub-letting their property, £2.5 million had been distributed ... There may have been people living in She was greeted by cheering from the special £5 million fund set flats that were illegally sub-let who had Conservative MPs when she up to help the residents. Mr Javid said no idea about the true status of their announced, on the 29th March, that the public inquiry and the criminal tenancy. Their families want to know if the process had begun: ‘A few minutes investigation had to be allowed the they perished in the fire. These are their ago, in Brussels, the United Kingdom’s space to follow the evidence wherever sons, their daughters, their brothers and permanent representative to the EU it took them, and everyone should be their sisters. They need closure, and that handed a letter to the President of careful not to prejudice their work. is the least that they deserve.’ the European Council on my behalf Responding to the Labour MP, David confirming the Government’s decision Lammy, who had lost a family friend in The Government was also taking to invoke Article 50 of the treaty on the fire, he added that although it was urgent action to avoid another tragedy European Union. The Article 50 process in buildings with architectural cladding Theresa May meets for the judge to determine the scope with European Council is now under way and, in accordance of the inquiry, he expected it to be ‘as similar to that which appeared to have President Donald Tusk in The passage of the European Union with the wishes of the British people, broad and wide-ranging as possible’. been a factor in the Grenfell fire. Downing Street (Notification of Withdrawal) Act cleared the United Kingdom is leaving the the way for the Prime Minister to act European Union.’

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 61 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of Parliament

She added that she wanted to build want to use Brexit to turn this country attacker, and to pay the ultimate a close partnership with the EU: ‘We into a low-wage tax haven. Labour is price; a response that says to the men want to continue to buy goods and determined to invest in a high-skill, and women who propagate this hate services from the EU, and sell it ours high-tech, high-wage future ... Labour and evil, “You will not defeat us.” ... Indeed, in an increasingly unstable will not give this Government a free Mr Speaker, let this be the message world, we must continue to forge the hand to use Brexit to attack rights and from this House and this nation today: closest possible security co-operation protections and to cut services, or to our values will prevail.’ to keep our people safe. We face the create a tax dodger’s paradise.’ The Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, same global threats from terrorism The eurosceptic Conservative, Jacob said people should not allow the and extremism.’ Rees-Mogg, quoted the Elizabethan voices of hatred to divide or cower Jeremy Corbyn warned against leaving hero Sir Francis Drake: ‘’There must be them – adding that PC Keith Palmer without a trade agreement: ‘the Prime a begynnyng of any great matter, but had given his life defending the public Minister says that no deal is better than the contenewing unto the end untyll and democracy. a bad deal, but the reality is that no it be thoroughly ffynyshed yeldes the Watching impassively in the crowd of deal is a bad deal. trew glory’ ... I wish my Right Hon. MPs standing at the Bar of the House, Friend good luck and good fortune in in the area across the Chamber facing He said the debate had now moved her negotiations until she comes to the Speaker’s Chair, was the Foreign on to what a post-Brexit Britain would true glory and is welcomed back to this Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood. He had be like: ‘There are Conservatives who House as a 21st century Gloriana.’ tried to save PC Palmer’s life by giving PC Keith Palmer, who him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. died trying to stop the Many MPs took a moment to exchange A terrorist attack on Parliament attacker, was given a full She gave an account of the previous a word with him as they passed or pat police service funeral, day’s events and ended by declaring and praised for his him on the arm. And many of those that the best response to terrorism who spoke over the next hour praised On the afternoon of March 22nd, as heroism was to act normally: ‘As I speak, his actions. MPs were engaged in a routine vote millions will be boarding trains and of the Pensions Bill, a man drove his aeroplanes to travel to London and Tributes and thanks came from all the car into pedestrians just outside, killing Party Leaders – the SNP’s Westminster to see for themselves the greatest two people and injuring dozens more, Leader, Angus Robertson, the Liberal city on Earth. It is in these actions – before stabbing to death a police Democrats, Tim Farron, and the DUP’s, millions of acts of normality – that we officer who was guarding the gates to Nigel Dodds. the Houses of Parliament, and he was find the best response to terrorism: then shot dead himself. a response that denies our enemies The Conservative MP, James Cleverly, their victory, that refuses to let them had served with PC Palmer in the army The sitting of the Commons was win, that shows we will never give spoke movingly and implored the Prime suspended and MPs were held in their in; a response driven by that same Minister to ‘posthumously recognise Chamber for several hours, before spirit that drove a husband and father his gallantry and sacrifice formally.’ being escorted away. When they to put himself between us and our Theresa May promised that she would. returned the next day, they began with a minute of silence. Then the Speaker opened proceedings by expressing ‘our heartfelt condolences to the The attack on President Trump families and friends of the victims Westminster was one of normal, as generations have done several terrorist attacks in of this outrage. A police officer, PC the UK during the year before us and as future generations This year more than most, US outdo the British electorate when it Keith Palmer, was killed defending us, will continue to do, to deliver a simple defending Parliament and defending politics had a bearing on our own. came to delivering the most surprising message: we are not afraid, and our parliamentary democracy.’ Not only were many MPs looking democratic decision of 2016. resolve will never waver in the face of across the Atlantic for a trade deal The Prime Minister was heard in silence terrorism. We meet here, in the oldest and an enhancement of the ‘special As recently as January 2016, a small as she updated MPs: ‘Yesterday, an of all Parliaments, because we know relationship’, following the decision number of MPs had gathered in act of terrorism tried to silence our that democracy, and the values that it to leave the EU. But the American Westminster Hall to debate whether or democracy, but today we meet as entails, will always prevail.’ people themselves had managed to not Donald Trump should be banned

62 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT MANUFACTURING & SERVICES

She added that she wanted to build want to use Brexit to turn this country attacker, and to pay the ultimate a close partnership with the EU: ‘We into a low-wage tax haven. Labour is price; a response that says to the men want to continue to buy goods and determined to invest in a high-skill, and women who propagate this hate services from the EU, and sell it ours high-tech, high-wage future ... Labour and evil, “You will not defeat us.” ... Indeed, in an increasingly unstable will not give this Government a free Mr Speaker, let this be the message world, we must continue to forge the hand to use Brexit to attack rights and from this House and this nation today: closest possible security co-operation protections and to cut services, or to our values will prevail.’ to keep our people safe. We face the create a tax dodger’s paradise.’ The Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, same global threats from terrorism The eurosceptic Conservative, Jacob said people should not allow the and extremism.’ Rees-Mogg, quoted the Elizabethan voices of hatred to divide or cower Jeremy Corbyn warned against leaving hero Sir Francis Drake: ‘’There must be them – adding that PC Keith Palmer without a trade agreement: ‘the Prime a begynnyng of any great matter, but had given his life defending the public Minister says that no deal is better than the contenewing unto the end untyll and democracy. a bad deal, but the reality is that no it be thoroughly ffynyshed yeldes the Watching impassively in the crowd of deal is a bad deal. trew glory’ ... I wish my Right Hon. MPs standing at the Bar of the House, Friend good luck and good fortune in in the area across the Chamber facing He said the debate had now moved her negotiations until she comes to the Speaker’s Chair, was the Foreign on to what a post-Brexit Britain would true glory and is welcomed back to this Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood. He had be like: ‘There are Conservatives who House as a 21st century Gloriana.’ tried to save PC Palmer’s life by giving PC Keith Palmer, who him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. died trying to stop the Many MPs took a moment to exchange A terrorist attack on Parliament attacker, was given a full She gave an account of the previous a word with him as they passed or pat police service funeral, day’s events and ended by declaring and praised for his him on the arm. And many of those that the best response to terrorism who spoke over the next hour praised On the afternoon of March 22nd, as heroism was to act normally: ‘As I speak, his actions. MPs were engaged in a routine vote millions will be boarding trains and of the Pensions Bill, a man drove his aeroplanes to travel to London and Tributes and thanks came from all the car into pedestrians just outside, killing Party Leaders – the SNP’s Westminster to see for themselves the greatest two people and injuring dozens more, Leader, Angus Robertson, the Liberal city on Earth. It is in these actions – before stabbing to death a police Democrats, Tim Farron, and the DUP’s, millions of acts of normality – that we officer who was guarding the gates to Nigel Dodds. the Houses of Parliament, and he was find the best response to terrorism: then shot dead himself. a response that denies our enemies The Conservative MP, James Cleverly, their victory, that refuses to let them had served with PC Palmer in the army The sitting of the Commons was win, that shows we will never give spoke movingly and implored the Prime suspended and MPs were held in their in; a response driven by that same Minister to ‘posthumously recognise Chamber for several hours, before spirit that drove a husband and father his gallantry and sacrifice formally.’ being escorted away. When they to put himself between us and our Theresa May promised that she would. returned the next day, they began with a minute of silence. Then the Speaker opened proceedings by expressing ‘our heartfelt condolences to the The attack on President Trump families and friends of the victims Westminster was one of normal, as generations have done several terrorist attacks in of this outrage. A police officer, PC the UK during the year before us and as future generations This year more than most, US outdo the British electorate when it Keith Palmer, was killed defending us, will continue to do, to deliver a simple defending Parliament and defending politics had a bearing on our own. came to delivering the most surprising message: we are not afraid, and our parliamentary democracy.’ Not only were many MPs looking democratic decision of 2016. resolve will never waver in the face of across the Atlantic for a trade deal The Prime Minister was heard in silence terrorism. We meet here, in the oldest and an enhancement of the ‘special As recently as January 2016, a small as she updated MPs: ‘Yesterday, an of all Parliaments, because we know relationship’, following the decision number of MPs had gathered in act of terrorism tried to silence our that democracy, and the values that it to leave the EU. But the American Westminster Hall to debate whether or democracy, but today we meet as entails, will always prevail.’ people themselves had managed to not Donald Trump should be banned

REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT | 63 THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Review of Parliament

from entering the UK altogether. His comments about Muslims, among others, had led to an online petition for him to be considered a ‘hate preacher’ and therefore banned from British soil. Even those who supported the motion knew there was little chance of such a ban being implemented. But few would have suspected that, just 13 months later, Parliament would be discussing the appropriateness of a state visit from President Donald Trump.

One of the first acts of the new US President was to order a blanket ban on people from a list of Middle Eastern countries travelling to the US. In the Commons, the former Labour Leader, Ed Miliband, and the Conservative, Nadhim Zahawi, joined forces to ask the Speaker for an emergency debate – and it was held Nadhim Zahawi MP that day. strongly criticised the Labour’s Yvette Cooper, who chairs Trump administration’s Mr Zahawi, born in Iraq to Kurdish the Home Affairs Select Committee, travel ban on certain Muslim countries parents, arrived in the UK as a nine- was ‘deeply worried’ that the year-old refugee from Saddam Government had already invited Hussein’s regime. He is now a British the new President to make a state citizen, but because he was born in visit to Britain: ‘It will look like an Iraq, he believed he came under the endorsement of a ban that is so Trump ban. morally wrong and that we should be standing against.’ He told MPs his place of birth already meant he had been required to The Conservative, Sir Simon Burns, go through an interview at the US disagreed: ‘I think it is absolutely right embassy, to secure the right to travel that the British Government continue to America, under rules imposed the work of the Prime Minister to by President Obama. But the new build bridges with President Trump so restrictions were much tougher. that we can, through engagement, seek to persuade him and to minimise The US Government has since clarified or reduce the danger of his more that people with British passports outrageous policies ... I believe that will not be affected by the ban, very little would be achieved by whatever the country of their birth, cancelling a state visit to which the but Mr Zahawi still thought the ban invitation has already been extended was ‘wholly counterproductive’. He and accepted.’ described how it was already being used by pro-Islamic State social media The emergency debate was on a formal accounts as ‘clear evidence that the motion that MPs had ‘considered’ USA is seeking to destroy Islam. They Donald Trump’s travel ban, so no call have even called it the “blessed ban”’. for a policy change was voted on.

64 | REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT from entering the UK altogether. His Acknowledgements comments about Muslims, among Images in this publication have been reproduced courtesy of the others, had led to an online petition following individuals/organisations: for him to be considered a ‘hate Greg Clark | Flickr | Policy Exchange preacher’ and therefore banned George Osborne| Flickr | Highways England from British soil. Even those who Jake Berry | Flickr | Department for Communities and Local Government supported the motion knew there Philip Hammond | Flickr | DFID was little chance of such a ban being Michael Gove | Flickr | Chatham House Battery | Flickr | James Almond implemented. But few would have Automation | Flickr | Steve Jurvetson suspected that, just 13 months later, Conveyor | Gambica Parliament would be discussing the Referendum| Flickr | David Holt appropriateness of a state visit from Donald Trump and Theresa May | The White House Apprentice| Flickr | Department for Business, Innovation and Skills President Donald Trump. Engineering students | Flickr | Matt Harasymczuk British coins| Flickr | Mike Beales One of the first acts of the new US Toyota | Flickr | Andrew Gustar President was to order a blanket Costa | Flickr | Paul Wilkinson ban on people from a list of Middle Unite the Union | Flickr | William Murphy Pensioners | Flickr | winhide Eastern countries travelling to the Uber driver| Flickr | Derek Clark US. In the Commons, the former Deliveroo | Flickr | Kevin Jones Labour Leader, Ed Miliband, and the The Gherkin | Flickr | Matt Brown GSK| Flickr | Maxwell Hamilton Conservative, Nadhim Zahawi, joined Jürgen Maier | Flickr | German Embassy London forces to ask the Speaker for an emergency debate – and it was held Nadhim Zahawi MP Westminster Publications is grateful to Mark D’Arcy and Will Stirling that day. strongly criticised the for their contributions to this publication. Labour’s Yvette Cooper, who chairs Trump administration’s Mr Zahawi, born in Iraq to Kurdish the Home Affairs Select Committee, travel ban on certain Muslim countries parents, arrived in the UK as a nine- was ‘deeply worried’ that the year-old refugee from Saddam Government had already invited Hussein’s regime. He is now a British the new President to make a state citizen, but because he was born in visit to Britain: ‘It will look like an Iraq, he believed he came under the endorsement of a ban that is so Trump ban. morally wrong and that we should be standing against.’ He told MPs his place of birth already meant he had been required to The Conservative, Sir Simon Burns, go through an interview at the US disagreed: ‘I think it is absolutely right embassy, to secure the right to travel that the British Government continue to America, under rules imposed the work of the Prime Minister to by President Obama. But the new build bridges with President Trump so restrictions were much tougher. that we can, through engagement, seek to persuade him and to minimise The US Government has since clarified or reduce the danger of his more that people with British passports outrageous policies ... I believe that will not be affected by the ban, very little would be achieved by whatever the country of their birth, cancelling a state visit to which the but Mr Zahawi still thought the ban invitation has already been extended was ‘wholly counterproductive’. He and accepted.’ COPYRIGHT © WESTMINSTER PUBLICATIONS 2017 described how it was already being used by pro-Islamic State social media The emergency debate was on a formal All rights reserved by Westminster Publications. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Westminster Publications. Westminster Publications warrants that reasonable skill and care has been used accounts as ‘clear evidence that the motion that MPs had ‘considered’ in preparing this publication. Notwithstanding this warranty Westminster Publications shall not be under liability for any loss of profit, business, USA is seeking to destroy Islam. They Donald Trump’s travel ban, so no call revenues or any special indirect or consequential damage of any nature whatsoever or loss of anticipated saving or for any increased costs sustained have even called it the “blessed ban”’. for a policy change was voted on. by the client or his or her servants or agents arising in any way whether directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on this publication or of any error or defect in this publication. Westminster Publications shall not in any circumstances be under any liability whatsoever to any other person for any loss or damage arising in any way as a result of reliance on this publication.